Orwell's essay work –considered by many to be as interesting as his literary contributions– includes texts on political, social, and literary criticism, opinions on language and culture, portraits of literary and other personalities.

In the texts of this edition, all written during the turbulent 1940s, Orwell, with his characteristic insight and political integrity, refers to the trends and phenomena of his time (the degeneration of language, "nationalisms"), to events he experienced firsthand (the Spanish Civil War), and to political and literary figures of the 20th century (Gandhi, Mussolini, Koestler, H.G. Wells), not hesitating to confront dominant views about people, situations, and events.

“... the party official who constantly repeats the same words is not far from a well-regulated machine. While the voice may come from his throat, his mind essentially remains detached, as even the words he uses have not been chosen by him. [...] It’s somewhat like the worshipper who can chant a hymn in church without even knowing or following its content.”