If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
The atmosphere of orthodoxy is always damaging to prose, and above all it is completely ruinous to the novel, the most anarchical of all forms of literature.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Orthodoxy stifles creativity, particularly in novel writing, which thrives on freedom and diversity of thought.
In this quote, George Orwell expresses the idea that rigid adherence to established norms and beliefs, or orthodoxy, is detrimental to the art of writing, especially when it comes to novels. He argues that the novel, as a literary form, flourishes best in an environment characterized by freedom and variety, rather than conformity and dogma, suggesting that creativity and innovation are often at odds with authoritarian thinking.
Themes
OrthodoxyCreativityNovelFreedomLiteratureInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of creative freedom.
More from George Orwell
All quotes βThe creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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