“As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying overhead, trying to kill me.”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
- Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.
Quote
“As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying overhead, trying to kill me.”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell highlights the irony and contradiction of human civilization. The phrase “highly civilized human beings” is deeply ironic because it describes people who, despite their technological advancement, social structures, and cultural achievements, are engaged in acts of violence and destruction. Orwell is pointing out that civilization, often associated with progress, reason, and morality, can also foster barbarism and inhumanity. The specific reference to people “flying overhead, trying to kill me” suggests a direct experience of war or militarism, possibly during his time in the Spanish Civil War or as a result of global conflicts like World War II, where the advancement of technology (in this case, air warfare) is used to wage destruction and terror, rather than contributing to human flourishing.
Orwell’s critique reflects his deep skepticism about the nature of progress and civilization. He often questioned whether technological and societal advancements truly led to moral or ethical progress, especially when those advancements are used for destructive purposes. In his works, such as 1984 and Animal Farm, Orwell explores how societies, even those that claim to be civilized, can devolve into oppressive systems where violence and coercion become normalized in the name of order or ideological purity.
This quote remains relevant today, especially when we consider the juxtaposition of technological advancements with global conflict, where modern warfare continues to be facilitated by high-tech weapons, drones, and other forms of destructive innovation. Orwell’s words remind us to reflect critically on the ethical implications of our advances and to question whether civilization is truly improving when violence and destruction remain part of the equation. It challenges us to recognize that progress in one area—such as technology—does not necessarily correlate with moral or civilizational progress.
