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How To Academy Podcast

Anna Funder - Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life

Jun 11, 2024
Award-winning author Anna Funder reveals the untold story of George Orwell's wife, Eileen, showcasing her significant influence on his life and work. They discuss the complexities of marriage, women's unpaid labor, and the impact of personal relationships on literary creations. The podcast delves into the blurred lines between an artist's public persona and their private life, emphasizing the importance of recognizing women's contributions in history and literature.
49:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Eileen's pivotal role in shaping George Orwell's life and writing is often overshadowed in biographies, highlighting the systemic undervaluing of women's contributions.
  • Eileen's intellectual prowess and uncredited support challenged traditional gender roles, emphasizing the need to acknowledge women's essential but overlooked roles in families and society.

Deep dives

Discovering Eileen Blair's Unseen Contributions and Struggles

Anna Thunder shares her investigation into George Orwell's first wife, Eileen, revealing the undervalued role she played in his life. Explored through Eileen's letters and private life, Anna uncovers the complexities of a marriage shrouded in secrecy and anti-wife sentiment, shedding light on Eileen's intellectual prowess and the uncredited support she provided to Orwell.

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