Alice R.

In this book George Orwell shows extraordinary compassion for the hard working coal miners. He meticulously describes their work after accompanying them for a day in the mines. As well as for the poor and overworked miners, he shows unsurpassed compassion for the unemployed and poor people who have settled in to a life in which they feel no hope for a future. For some that includes a desire to work without a hope of finding it. For others, it seems, they can't imagine their lives without poverty. He writes about the mysterious way people can still thoroughly enjoy simple pleasures such as afternoon tea, and sometimes choose to spend money on this treat and others even before food. Baffled, he also sees their joy is completely in the present moment. He states never seeing such contentment in the middle or upper classes. I imagine the two miners on the cover photo of The Road to Wigan Pier are feeling this contentment Orwell admires when the photo is taken. Ironically, he writes that Wigan Pier is closed as the men sit there regardless. They won't be going to the pier in their future but I wouldn't think they'd care because, to me, no one could look happier and more content than them.