Language and Love 

By Cynthia Dempster

I agree with Lauren.  I don't think Orwell's suggestions suit everyone.  Let us imagine Orwell rewriting "A Tale of Two Cities"  by Charles Dickens   or  "Romeo and Juliet"  by William Shakespeare  according to his principles.   If these literary works were written using a stark, simple approach to language,  they would no longer be the magnificent literary creations they are.  I think a great writer knows when to be clear and when to be verbally extravagant.  There are times to hide truth and times to reveal it.  Orwell's rules suited Orwell's purposes.  I took a course with Robertson Davies on Bernard Shaw.  Prof. Davies researched his papers brilliantly.  His research writing style was clear and insightful.    However, sometimes Robertson Davies would launch a verbal oratorio.  He would describe some aspect of Shaw with a series of adverbs that were stunningly beautiful. These extravagant orations were as clear and powerful  in their effect as the simpler, more direct portions of his lectures.  They accomplished the same writerly goal.  He  made us see and love Bernard Shaw.