Chapter 12 Summary

A few days after the Barcelona riots, Orwell's militia unit returns to the front lines. Orwell speculates that the social revolution has ended in defeat, but the military war continues as a fight against Fascism. He decides that the war is still important, so that Spain can reject Franco. The alternative is probably another dictator and not a worker-controlled democracy. Franco stands for the old Feudal order with strong ties to the Catholic Church and the military. The Republican government, although increasingly authoritarian, is still somewhat peasant-oriented, strongly anti-clerical, and is focused on building the country's infrastructure. Finally, the war is anti-Fascist and in the pre-World War II era of the book. Orwell feels this is a critical reason to continue the fight.

Bob Smillie, an ILP-affiliated POUM militiaman, concludes his tour of duty and attempts to return home to England. He is...