Chapter 13 Summary

Orwell and his wife return to Barcelona, where he spends several weeks recuperating at the Sanatorium Maurin, a recovery location run by POUM. Williams is at Sanatorium Maurin as well, recovering from a leg wound. Also there is Stafford Cottman, a young English POUM militiaman, who is thought to be suffering from tuberculosis. Other soldiers, of course, are also residents.

Orwell notes that Barcelona is wracked by rumors of internal sabotage, the air has an ugly feeling, and there are constant arrests and imprisonments. Service in the militia is no longer voluntary. Militiamen are now compelled to remain in the militia, and the Popular Army begins conscription. The Civil Guard and the Assault Guard presences in Barcelona are obvious, and censorship becomes widespread. Food shortages are chronic. Orwell describes the feeling as a nightmare atmosphere.

Orwell finally decides to return to England to...