Who is the author of the essay “Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool”?​

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The essay “Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool” was written by George Orwell in 1947. In this essay, Orwell critiques Leo Tolstoy’s harsh criticism of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Tolstoy dismissed Shakespeare as a mediocre dramatist and viewed King Lear as an incoherent and poorly written work. Orwell counters Tolstoy’s arguments by analyzing the deeper themes of King Lear, such as human folly, existential suffering, and moral redemption. Orwell defends Shakespeare’s genius while examining Tolstoy’s personal motivations for his attack.

Information Booster:

1. Orwell wrote the essay as part of his interest in literary criticism and political thought.
2. Tolstoy’s essay on King Lear reflected his religious and moralist philosophy, which Orwell deconstructs.
3. Orwell appreciates the complexity and timeless nature of Shakespeare’s works, contrasting with Tolstoy’s rigidity.
4. The essay highlights Orwell’s ability to engage in nuanced debates about art and its purpose.

Additional Knowledge:

• Aldous Huxley: Known for works like Brave New World and essays on philosophy and society.
  
• Virginia Woolf: Focused on modernist literature and criticism.
• Somerset Maugham: A novelist and playwright, known for Of Human Bondage.