“The aspidistra is the true middle-class emblem, because it is the kind of plant that you can’t kill even if you want to.”
Chapter 1: Gordon Comstock’s Rebellion
Gordon Comstock, a struggling poet in 1930s London, despises the materialism of society. He quits his stable advertising job to work in a dingy bookshop, embracing poverty as a form of protest against the “money god.” His girlfriend, Rosemary, worries about his self-destructive choices.
Chapter 2: The Grind of Poverty
Gordon’s life deteriorates as he barely scrapes by on meager wages. He resents his wealthy acquaintances, particularly his friend Ravelston, a socialist publisher who sympathizes but remains comfortably upper-class. Gordon’s pride prevents him from accepting help, deepening his isolation.
Chapter 3: A Futile Literary Pursuit
Gordon’s poetry book sells poorly, crushing his artistic ambitions. He spirals into bitterness, blaming commercialism for his failure. Rosemary visits him in his shabby room, but he pushes her away, fearing he can’t provide for her in a money-driven world.
Chapter 4: The Temptation of Conformity
After a humiliating encounter with his former advertising colleagues, Gordon briefly considers returning to his old job. Rosemary reveals she’s pregnant, forcing him to confront his responsibilities. He resists, clinging to his anti-capitalist ideals despite the consequences.
Chapter 5: The Aspidistra’s Victory
Gordon finally capitulates. He marries Rosemary, rejoins the advertising world, and buys the despised aspidistra plant—symbolizing his surrender to middle-class respectability. The novel ends with ironic resignation: the “money god” wins, and Gordon’s rebellion becomes a memory.
Key ideas
- The crushing weight of financial insecurity in a materialistic society
- The hypocrisy of intellectual rebellion without sacrifice
- Middle-class conformity as both prison and refuge
- The symbolic power of mundane objects (aspidistra, money)
- The conflict between artistic integrity and survival
Who should read this book?
- Readers exploring Orwell’s lesser-known social critiques
- Those interested in 1930s British class struggles
- Writers grappling with art vs. commercial success
- Modern audiences questioning consumer culture
Notable Adaptations
| 1997 | A Merry War | Film starring Richard E. Grant, retitled for US audiences |