“A Hanging” by George Orwell is a non-fiction text in which the writer expresses his
outrage and opposition to the issue of the use of capital punishment. He expresses
his outrage through his selection of detail, turning point and by cleverly transferring
some of his thoughts and feelings onto the appearance of a dog.
The essay is set in Burma during the 1920’s, when Orwell was stationed
there as a policeman. He retells the incident of a hanging of a Hindu man where he
witnesses what would seem a minor incident which will form a turning point in his
views about the use of capital punishment.
In order to help us to understand his thoughts about capital punishment
Orwell selects his detail carefully. He begins with his description of the weather that
day describing it as “a sodden morning” with “a sickly light, like yellow tinfoil”. The
use of the pathetic fallacy adds an ominous atmosphere creating a mood which is
dark and foreboding. Orwell then gives detailed description of the condemned cells
as being “small animal cages.” this expression suggests that the conditions were
inhumane. All of this infers Orwell’s growing unhappiness about the treatment of the
prisoners and suggests his outrage about the way they were treated.
Having described the conditions Orwell moves on to give detail about the
prisoner himself describing him as “a puny wisp of a man with… vague liquid eyes” it
is important that Orwell tells us nothing of his crime which may influence our view,
instead Orwell characterises the Hindu as weak and unthreatening. The Hindu man
is “chained”, “handcuffed” and his arms are “lashed tight to his sides”. This vivid
description continues to suggest harsh treatment and Orwell’s growing opposition
not only to the hanging itself but also to the way condemned men are treated.
As they head toward the gallows a dog appears. Orwell states “a dreadful
thing happened… a dog appeared and bounded among us with a loud volley of
barks.” The word choice “dreadful” suggests Orwell’s shock and disapproval but
underneath this Orwell skilfully places his own thoughts and feelings especially later
in the essay. The dog jumps up on the prisoner and licks his face unlike the humans
who intend to kill the Hindu the dog expresses friendliness. This friendly act makes
the inhumane actions of the execution party seem even more outrageous by
contrast.
A further technique Orwell uses to express his outrage against capital
punishment is the use of a turning point. On the way to the gallows Orwell notices
the detail of the prisoner “stepping slightly aside to avoid a puddle on the path.” The
outrage and opposition to the issue of the use of capital punishment. He expresses
his outrage through his selection of detail, turning point and by cleverly transferring
some of his thoughts and feelings onto the appearance of a dog.
The essay is set in Burma during the 1920’s, when Orwell was stationed
there as a policeman. He retells the incident of a hanging of a Hindu man where he
witnesses what would seem a minor incident which will form a turning point in his
views about the use of capital punishment.
In order to help us to understand his thoughts about capital punishment
Orwell selects his detail carefully. He begins with his description of the weather that
day describing it as “a sodden morning” with “a sickly light, like yellow tinfoil”. The
use of the pathetic fallacy adds an ominous atmosphere creating a mood which is
dark and foreboding. Orwell then gives detailed description of the condemned cells
as being “small animal cages.” this expression suggests that the conditions were
inhumane. All of this infers Orwell’s growing unhappiness about the treatment of the
prisoners and suggests his outrage about the way they were treated.
Having described the conditions Orwell moves on to give detail about the
prisoner himself describing him as “a puny wisp of a man with… vague liquid eyes” it
is important that Orwell tells us nothing of his crime which may influence our view,
instead Orwell characterises the Hindu as weak and unthreatening. The Hindu man
is “chained”, “handcuffed” and his arms are “lashed tight to his sides”. This vivid
description continues to suggest harsh treatment and Orwell’s growing opposition
not only to the hanging itself but also to the way condemned men are treated.
As they head toward the gallows a dog appears. Orwell states “a dreadful
thing happened… a dog appeared and bounded among us with a loud volley of
barks.” The word choice “dreadful” suggests Orwell’s shock and disapproval but
underneath this Orwell skilfully places his own thoughts and feelings especially later
in the essay. The dog jumps up on the prisoner and licks his face unlike the humans
who intend to kill the Hindu the dog expresses friendliness. This friendly act makes
the inhumane actions of the execution party seem even more outrageous by
contrast.
A further technique Orwell uses to express his outrage against capital
punishment is the use of a turning point. On the way to the gallows Orwell notices
the detail of the prisoner “stepping slightly aside to avoid a puddle on the path.” The
