In the meantime, life at the front is characterized by stagnation. All in all, despite the militia’s inefficiencies, Orwell concludes that the POUM serves as a convincing model of how an ideal, classless society can function. Over time, Orwell learns to admire the POUM for its capacity to breed loyalty and commitment in its soldiers and to foster a sense of democratic involvement. However, his personal experience changes this initial impression. He is dismayed at the group’s inadequacy and expresses skepticism about the militia’s capacity to maintain discipline and win the war. While Orwell respects these ideals, he realizes that the militia is mainly composed of young, inexperienced Spanish recruits. The POUM are organized on the principle of social equality, which means that differences in rank are treated as irrelevant and soldiers are free to disagree with their superiors’ orders. He soon joins the POUM militia, a Marxist group affiliated with the Anarchists, and is sent to the front. The atmosphere of equality and freedom that reigns strengthens Orwell’s conviction that he has made the right decision to fight for such a noble cause. The bourgeois, it seems, have all but disappeared, and the working class appear in complete control of the city.

Communist and Anarchist flags hang on all the buildings, shops have been collectivized, and everyone treats each other with an air of perfect equality. Upon his arrival in Barcelona, he is amazed to find that a large-scale social revolution has taken hold in the city. He volunteers to fight on the side of the Republicans (a coalition of pro-democracy, leftwing parties) against the Nationalists (a conservative, Catholic, rightwing group led by General Franco). Like most international observers, Orwell sees the war in Spain as a struggle between democracy and Fascism. In December, 1936, George Orwell leaves his English home for Spain, a country in the midst of a brutal civil war.

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell