Throughout the book “Down and Out in Paris and London”, written by George Orwell, we are continuously reminded of the poor working and living Conditions in Europe at the time. Since this Book focuses on his own experience throughout the Great Depression, we get a first hand understanding of the miserable lives these people were living in. To get a better understanding, we don’t have to go very far and look extensively; it is all right there, early on in the book: in particular the events of chapter 2 and the end of it especially;
“And so, just for one instant, I captured the supreme happiness, the highest and most refined emotion to which human beings can attain. And in that same moment it was finished, and I was left – to what? All my savagery, my passion, were scattered like the petals of a rose. I was left…it was dark and bitterly cold… All my money was gone, I had not even the price of a taxi fare. I walked back alone to my cold, solitary room.” (p.11)
This is a quote that leaves you speechless, as you realised Orwell has spent all of his money (on a bad deed), but his desperate description of the events did make his story kind of tragic. Having no money was bad, especially in Paris – you know, only the Capital of France (with very expensive stuff) – so to hear him have this realisation of losing almost everything was a pretty shocking thing to read. I think we can all learn from this guy, and the best thing to do – is not to let our emotions get over our rational thinking, which will save you trouble in the long run.