A Collection of Essays Study Guide

Part 1 - As a boy of eight, the author attends school at Crossgates, a boarding school. After spending about two weeks at the school, Orwell begins to wet the bed. He is warned that bedwetting is unacceptable - in fact, it is evil - but he is unable, from time to time, to avoid wetting the bed. Various beatings ensue, delivered by the headmaster. On the first beating, Orwell emerges from the headmaster's office and triumphantly announces the beating was not painful. Unfortunately, the headmistress overhears his remarks and he is immediately returned for a second, more severe beating. During this second beating, the handle of the cane breaks and the headmaster summarily blames Orwell for breaking the cane. (read more)