Empire 305. Orwell: Dark Secrets, The CIA, & His Forgotten Failures (Part 4)
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Nov 6, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Anna Funder, the author of Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, reveals the untold story of Eileen Orwell and her significant influence on George Orwell's work. They explore how Eileen co-wrote Animal Farm yet was overlooked in history. The discussion also touches on the CIA's manipulation of Orwell's legacy, the conflicting aspects of his life, and how Eileen’s sacrifices and literary contributions transformed his writing. Funder provocatively contrasts Orwell's literary genius with his patriarchal shortcomings.
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CIA Recast Animal Farm As Anti-Communist Tool
- The CIA covertly acquired Animal Farm's film rights and repackaged it into blunt anti-communist propaganda.
- That intervention helped cement Animal Farm's global reputation as an anti-communist parable rather than a more nuanced critique.
Evidence Of Sexual Conflict And Assault
- Anna Funder presents evidence suggesting Orwell had homosexual desires alongside homophobic behaviour and predatory acts toward women.
- Contemporary accounts and letters imply deep sexual conflict and several incidents now read as sexual assault.
Eileen Saved Orwell In Spain
- Eileen saved Orwell's life after he was shot in Spain and typed his battlefield notes into a coherent manuscript.
- Her work directly enabled Homage to Catalonia but Orwell omitted her role in the book.
