Perspectives

For this part of the study guide, we will focus on putting “A Hanging” in perspective, by connecting it to its literary period, works with the same theme, and other works by George Orwell.

Literary period

George Orwell lived and wrote during the time when Modernism developed as a literary movement. Modernist writers—Orwell included—were concerned with the social issues of their time derived from imperialism,...

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Works with the same theme

The short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce also describes an execution but in times of war. During the American Civil War, a Southerner is tricked by a Union soldier in order to be captured and sentenced to death.

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Work by the same author

To understand Orwell’s style of writing and the influence that the time spent in Burma had on his literary works, we recommend that you read two other short stories which are also set in Burma.

In “Burmese Days” (Wider Contexts, pp. 271), we follow an English timber merchant who earns his living in Burma. The story explores the man’s interactions with local people such as Doctor Veraswami. The story is about cultural identity and imperialism.

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