Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Slow
- Mood
- Bleak, Cynical, Reflective, Satirical
- Read it if
- You appreciate literary fiction with strong social commentary, enjoy character studies of disillusioned protagonists, or are interested in the themes of poverty, class struggle, and artistic integrity versus material comfort.
- Skip it if
- You prefer fast-paced plots, optimistic narratives, or dislike stories where the protagonist ultimately compromises their ideals.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
Gordon's Self-Imposed Poverty and Artistic Rebellion
Gordon Comstock, a struggling poet in his late twenties, deliberately embraces poverty in 1930s London as a rebellion against what he sees as the pervasive worship of money. He works a low-paying job at the New Albion Library, a small bookshop, earning barely enough to live in a squalid bedsit in Willowbed Road. His ambition is to write a significant poem, 'London Pleasures,' and his first collection, 'Mice,' saw limited success years prior. He despises the middle-class values represented by his relatively well-off sister, Julia, and her husband, and constantly feels the sting of his financial inadequacy, particularly in his relationship with Rosemary Waterlow, whom he loves but cannot afford to properly court. His only true friend is Ravelston, editor of a socialist literary magazine, who occasionally offers him work.
The Weight of Poverty and Failed Social Engagements
Gordon's poverty dictates every aspect of his life, leading to constant embarrassment and self-loathing. He meticulously calculates every penny, often forgoing meals or essential items. His attempts to socialize with Rosemary are repeatedly marred by his lack of funds. An outing to the countryside with Rosemary and Ravelston shows his financial limitations when he cannot afford a proper meal or even a decent tip. He resents Rosemary's middle-class background and her expectation of normal dates, which he cannot provide. The aspidistra, a common houseplant symbolizing lower-middle-class respectability, becomes a recurring reminder of the life he despises yet is drawn into.
The Dinner Date Disaster and Growing Despair
Gordon attempts to treat Rosemary to a 'proper' dinner, saving up for weeks for a meal at a respectable restaurant. However, the evening is a disaster. He feels out of place and embarrassed by the cost, which he struggles to pay. The situation worsens when he realizes he has forgotten his wallet. Rosemary has to pay, deepening his humiliation. Later, fueled by cheap whiskey and self-pity, Gordon has a drunken outburst, ranting about money and his perceived failures, alienating Rosemary. This incident further solidifies his belief that money is the ultimate barrier to happiness and genuine connection, pushing him deeper into his self-imposed misery.
A New Job and a Chance for Change
Ravelston, concerned about Gordon's deteriorating state, offers him a job at a prosperous advertising agency, 'Great London Publicity,' writing copy. The salary is a significant improvement over his bookshop wages, offering a chance to escape his grinding poverty. Initially, Gordon resists, viewing advertising as the epitome of the commercialism he despises and a betrayal of his artistic integrity. However, the lure of financial stability and the increasing pressure of his circumstances, coupled with Rosemary's subtle encouragement, eventually persuade him to accept the position, though he does so with a sense of self-loathing and hypocrisy.
The Advertising World and a Brief Respite
Gordon begins his job at Great London Publicity, a world of slick professionalism and manufactured desire that he scorns. Despite his disdain, he finds himself surprisingly competent at writing advertising copy, a skill he deplores. The increased income brings a temporary respite from his most acute financial anxieties. He can afford better food, a slightly less squalid room, and even small luxuries. However, this material comfort does not bring him happiness or artistic fulfillment. He views his work as soul-destroying and continues to secretly write his poetry, feeling like a hypocrite living off the 'money-god' he purports to despise.
Rosemary's Revelation and Gordon's Panic
Gordon's relationship with Rosemary, though strained by his poverty and cynicism, continues. One evening, Rosemary reveals that she is pregnant. This news shatters Gordon's carefully constructed world of artistic rebellion and self-pity. He is initially overwhelmed by panic and despair, seeing the child as an ultimate trap, forcing him into the very middle-class respectability and financial servitude he has so vehemently rejected. He contemplates various desperate solutions, but Rosemary firmly rejects such ideas. The reality of impending fatherhood forces him to confront his responsibilities and the limitations of his anti-money philosophy.
The Decision to Marry and Embrace Conventionality
After much internal agonizing and desperate conversations with Rosemary, Gordon makes the momentous decision to marry her. This choice signifies a complete capitulation to the very 'money-god' he has fought against. He realizes that he cannot condemn Rosemary and their unborn child to the kind of poverty he has romanticized for himself. The prospect of marriage and a family forces him to abandon his artistic pretensions and fully embrace the conventional, financially driven life he once scorned. He recognizes the necessity of providing for his family, even if it means sacrificing his perceived intellectual and artistic freedom.
The Aspidistra Returns: A Symbol of Acceptance
Following their decision to marry, Gordon and Rosemary find a small, respectable flat in a typical London suburb. The move marks a definitive step into the middle-class existence Gordon once railed against. In a symbolic act of acceptance, or perhaps resignation, they acquire an aspidistra, the very plant that had come to symbolize everything Gordon detested about petty-bourgeois respectability and financial constraint. The aspidistra, placed prominently in their new home, signifies his abandonment of his radical ideals and his reluctant embrace of a conventional, financially secure, but perhaps unfulfilling, life.
Resignation and a Glimmer of Contentment
Gordon settles into married life with Rosemary, continuing his job in advertising. While he still harbors cynical thoughts about the 'money-god' and the compromises he has made, a grudging contentment begins to emerge. He finds unexpected satisfaction in providing for his wife and unborn child, and in the small comforts of a stable home. He realizes that his previous rebellion was perhaps more about self-pity and a fear of responsibility than genuine artistic integrity. Though his poetic ambitions have largely faded, he finds a new, albeit mundane, purpose in his domestic life, accepting the aspidistra as an emblem of his new reality.
The Finality of Compromise
By the novel's end, Gordon fully accepts his fate as a husband, father, and advertising man. He understands that his rebellion against money was ultimately futile, and that the 'money-god' is an inescapable force in society. He still has moments of bitterness and regret for his lost artistic dreams, but these are increasingly tempered by the practical realities and small joys of his new life. The aspidistra in his window represents not just his capitulation, but also a certain peace with his conventional existence. He has, in essence, joined the ranks of the very people he once scorned, finding a quiet, if resigned, happiness within the system he once fought.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying Characters
Gordon Comstock
Protagonist
A struggling poet who rebels against the worship of money by embracing poverty.
Gordon is a disillusioned and cynical young man in 1930s London, driven by a fierce, almost puritanical, hatred of money and the commercialism it represents. He deliberately chooses a life of poverty, working in a bookshop for meager wages, believing it allows him to maintain his artistic integrity and defy the 'money-god.' Despite his grand ambitions as a poet, he struggles with self-doubt, paranoia, and a profound sense of humiliation stemming from his financial state. His rebellion often manifests as self-pity and an inability to connect genuinely with others, particularly Rosemary, whom he loves but constantly pushes away due to his pride and penury.
Relationships: Rosemary Waterlow (girlfriend, later wife; subject of his affections and frustrations); Ravelston (friend and literary mentor, publisher); Julia Comstock (sister; represents the middle-class respectability he despises)
Rosemary Waterlow
Supporting
Gordon's long-suffering girlfriend, a practical and patient woman.
Rosemary is Gordon's girlfriend, a sensible, patient, and somewhat conventional young woman who works as a typist. She genuinely loves Gordon but is constantly frustrated by his self-destructive poverty and his inability to provide for them or engage in normal social activities. She represents a practical, grounded perspective, often trying to pull Gordon out of his self-imposed misery without fully understanding the depth of his anti-money philosophy. Her quiet strength and eventual pregnancy become the catalyst for Gordon's ultimate capitulation to conventionality.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (boyfriend, later husband; object of her love and concern)
Ravelston
Supporting
Gordon's wealthy, socialist friend and editor.
Ravelston is Gordon's only true friend and a prosperous socialist intellectual who edits a literary magazine. He represents a different kind of rebellion against capitalism – one that is well-funded and somewhat detached from the grinding poverty Gordon experiences. Ravelston genuinely cares for Gordon, offering him advice, small jobs, and eventually a lucrative position in advertising. He embodies a more pragmatic and less self-destructive approach to societal problems, often trying to guide Gordon towards a more stable life, though Gordon frequently resents his friend's comparative wealth.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (friend and benefactor)
Julia Comstock
Supporting
Gordon's older sister, representing middle-class respectability.
Julia is Gordon's older sister, married to a respectable, if dull, man. She represents the very middle-class, financially secure existence that Gordon despises and rebels against. She is genuinely concerned for her brother's well-being and is often exasperated by his poverty and his refusal to 'get on' in life. Her attempts to help him, often involving small loans or practical advice, are usually met with Gordon's resentment and pride, as he sees her as a symbol of the 'money-god' he is fighting. She embodies the conventional path Gordon rejects until circumstances force him to reconsider.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (brother; subject of her concern and frustration)
Mrs. Wisbeach
Mentioned
Gordon's landlady.
Mrs. Wisbeach is Gordon's landlady in his squalid bedsit in Willowbed Road. She is a minor character but her presence highlights Gordon's impoverished living conditions. Her occasional interactions with Gordon, often concerning rent or the state of his room, underscore his constant financial anxieties and the indignity of his chosen lifestyle. She represents the mundane, often oppressive, reality of his self-imposed poverty.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (landlady-tenant relationship)
Mr. Flaxman
Mentioned
Gordon's boss at the New Albion Library.
Mr. Flaxman is the proprietor of the New Albion Library where Gordon works. He is a rather timid and unremarkable figure, primarily concerned with the day-to-day running of his small bookshop. His interactions with Gordon are brief and professional, but his presence emphasizes Gordon's low-status employment and the mundane reality of his 'rebellion' against the capitalist system. He represents the small-scale, struggling businesses of London that are also caught in the grip of the 'money-god's' influence.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (employer-employee relationship)
Philip Comstock
Mentioned
Gordon's deceased father, a failed poet.
Philip Comstock is Gordon's deceased father, a figure who casts a long shadow over Gordon's life. He was also a poet who failed to achieve recognition and died in relative obscurity and poverty. Gordon sees his father's life as a cautionary tale and a potential mirror of his own fate, which fuels both his artistic aspirations and his fear of failure. His father's legacy contributes to Gordon's deep-seated anxieties about artistic integrity versus financial success.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (father-son relationship; a cautionary figure)
Mrs. Comstock
Mentioned
Gordon's mother.
Gordon's mother is mentioned as having a difficult life after his father's death, struggling financially to raise her children. Her hardships contribute to Gordon's understanding of the harsh realities of poverty, even as he romanticizes it for himself. She represents the victims of the 'money-god' who don't have the luxury of intellectualizing their suffering.
Relationships: Gordon Comstock (mother-son relationship; a figure of past hardship)
Keep the Aspidistra Flying Themes
The Corrupting Power of Money
This is the central theme of the novel. Gordon Comstock's entire life is a rebellion against what he calls the 'money-god,' which he believes dictates every aspect of human existence and corrupts genuine relationships and artistic expression. His poverty is a deliberate act of defiance, yet it ultimately proves to be as corrupting and restrictive as the pursuit of wealth. Orwell shows how the lack of money leads to social humiliation, isolation, and a constant, debilitating anxiety, demonstrating that money, or its absence, is an inescapable force that shapes identity and destiny. The novel argues that while money doesn't guarantee happiness, its absence guarantees misery and compromise.
“Money is the most important thing in the world. It is the only thing that matters.”
Artistic Integrity vs. Material Necessity
Gordon struggles constantly with the tension between his desire to be a serious poet and the practical necessity of earning a living. He believes that true art cannot flourish under the shadow of commercialism or the need for financial gain. His low-paying job in the bookshop is a conscious choice to maintain his integrity, but it also starves his creative spirit by consuming his energy and mental peace. His eventual move into advertising, a job he despises, represents the ultimate capitulation of his artistic ideals to the demands of material necessity, questioning whether pure art is truly possible for those without independent means.
“You couldn't be a poet and not have money. You couldn't be a poet and not be a gentleman. It was impossible.”
Social Class and Respectability
The novel portrays the rigid class structure of 1930s London and its impact on individual lives. Gordon's poverty places him firmly outside the respectable middle class, leading to constant social awkwardness and a feeling of inferiority. The 'aspidistra' itself is a symbol of lower-middle-class respectability, a standard Gordon both despises and, ultimately, is forced to embrace. His interactions with Rosemary and Julia highlight the different expectations and limitations imposed by class, showing how deeply ingrained social stratification influences personal choices, relationships, and even self-worth.
“The aspidistra is the tree of life, the tree of all good and evil. It is the tree of the money-god.”
Love, Responsibility, and Sacrifice
Gordon's relationship with Rosemary is a central way to explore themes of love, responsibility, and the sacrifices required for genuine connection. His poverty initially prevents him from fully committing to Rosemary, as he feels unable to provide for her or offer her a 'normal' life. His fear of responsibility is a major barrier to their happiness. However, Rosemary's pregnancy forces him to confront his selfish rebellion and accept the responsibilities of impending fatherhood and marriage. This decision requires him to sacrifice his anti-money ideals and embrace a conventional life, suggesting that true love and responsibility often necessitate personal compromise.
“He loved Rosemary, but he hated the thought of marrying her, because it meant money.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Aspidistra
A recurring symbol of lower-middle-class respectability and financial constraint.
The aspidistra plant, a hardy, common houseplant, serves as the central and most potent symbol in the novel. For much of the story, it represents everything Gordon Comstock despises about petty-bourgeois respectability, financial conformity, and the 'money-god.' It is the emblem of the dull, conventional life he actively rebels against. Its appearance in his sister's home, then his new respectable flat, marks his gradual, reluctant capitulation to the very values he once scorned. By the end, the aspidistra in his own window signifies his acceptance of his fate, a symbol of resignation and grudging contentment within the system.
First-Person Limited Narration (with authorial intrusion)
Provides deep insight into Gordon's cynical mind while allowing for broader social commentary.
The novel is primarily told from Gordon Comstock's perspective, offering intimate access to his thoughts, anxieties, and cynical worldview. This allows the reader to deeply understand his rebellion against money and his internal struggles. However, Orwell frequently employs a narrative voice that, while close to Gordon, also steps back to offer broader social commentary and critique, sometimes subtly undermining Gordon's self-pitying perspective. This blend allows for both character-driven insight and Orwell's characteristic social criticism, making Gordon an object of both empathy and critical examination.
Irony
Used to highlight the futility of Gordon's rebellion and the pervasive nature of money.
Irony is a pervasive device in 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying.' Gordon's deliberate embrace of poverty, intended as an act of rebellion, ironically traps him in an even more miserable and restrictive existence than the one he sought to escape. His attempts to defy the 'money-god' only make him more obsessed with money and its absence. The ultimate irony is his eventual capitulation, marrying Rosemary and taking a well-paying advertising job, thereby becoming a part of the very system he so vehemently opposed, finding a reluctant peace in the conventional life he once scorned. This highlights the futility of individual rebellion against deeply entrenched societal forces.
Symbolism of London's Geography
Different areas of London symbolize social class and Gordon's changing circumstances.
Orwell uses the geography of London to symbolize social class and Gordon's psychological state. His squalid bedsit in Willowbed Road represents his self-imposed poverty and alienation. The respectable, but ultimately dull, suburbs he moves to with Rosemary at the end symbolize his embrace of conventionality and middle-class life. The contrast between these areas, and his uncomfortable forays into more affluent parts of the city during dates with Rosemary, visually reinforces the class divisions and the inescapable influence of money on social mobility and individual experience within the urban landscape.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying Quotes
“The money-god is as jealous as any other god.”
“The world is a raft sailing through space with, potentially, plenty of provisions for everybody; the idea that we must all cooperate and see to it that everyone does his fair share of the work and gets his fair share of the provisions, seems so blatantly obvious that one would say that no one could possibly fail to accept it unless he had some corrupt motive for clinging to the present system.”
“The lower-middle-class people in there, behind their lace curtains, with their children and their scraps of furniture and their aspidistras—they lived by the money-code, sure enough, and yet they contrived to keep their decency.”
“It is not so much doing things that one regrets, as having done them.”
“The aspidistra is the tree of life and the tree of knowledge and the tree of good and evil all in one.”
“To be born into this world is to be born into enemy territory.”
“Money is what God used to be. Good and evil have no meaning any longer except failure and success.”
“The real secret of class distinctions in the West... is summed up in four frightful words... The lower classes smell.”
“One can't be both a rebel and a success.”
“The money-code is a sort of world-wide conspiracy against the human spirit.”
“It is a mysterious thing, the loss of faith—the gradual, hardly noticeable slipping away of something that you never knew you had until you lost it.”
“The aspidistra is the tree of life; and the tree of life is the aspidistra.”
“In a country like England, the greatest cruelty one can inflict on a poor man is to ridicule him.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the name of the protagonist who rebels against the 'money-god' in 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'?
- Winston Smith
- Gordon Comstock
- George Bowling
- John Flory
Show answer
B. Gordon Comstock Gordon Comstock is the protagonist who deliberately chooses poverty to reject society's obsession with money and status, central to the novel's plot.
Question 2
What object symbolizes middle-class respectability that Gordon despises in the novel?
- A grandfather clock
- A silver teapot
- An aspidistra plant
- A bowler hat
Show answer
C. An aspidistra plant The aspidistra plant represents the stifling conformity and bourgeois values Gordon rebels against, giving the book its title.
Question 3
Where does Gordon work at the beginning of the novel before quitting to pursue his writing?
- A bank
- A bookstore
- An advertising agency
- A newspaper office
Show answer
C. An advertising agency Gordon works at the 'New Albion' advertising agency, a job he finds hypocritical and materialistic, prompting his resignation.
Question 4
What is the title of Gordon's published book of poetry that fails commercially?
- Mice
- London Poems
- The Money-God
- Aspidistra Blues
Show answer
A. Mice Gordon's poetry collection 'Mice' sells poorly, highlighting his artistic struggle and the commercial realities he rejects.
Question 5
Why does Gordon initially refuse to marry his girlfriend Rosemary?
- He does not love her
- She is already married
- He believes marriage requires money he rejects
- Her family disapproves of him
Show answer
C. He believes marriage requires money he rejects Gordon sees marriage as part of the money-driven society he opposes, fearing it would compromise his principles, though he loves Rosemary.
Question 6
What event ultimately forces Gordon to abandon his rebellion and return to a conventional job?
- He wins a literary prize
- Rosemary becomes pregnant
- He inherits a fortune
- His poetry gains popularity
Show answer
B. Rosemary becomes pregnant Rosemary's pregnancy makes Gordon realize his ideals are unsustainable, leading him to accept a job at an advertising agency to support his family.
Question 7
Which character serves as a foil to Gordon by embracing commercial success and middle-class life?
- Ravelston
- Julia
- Mr. Cheeseman
- The landlady
Show answer
A. Ravelston Ravelston, Gordon's wealthy friend and editor, represents the comfortable, moneyed existence Gordon criticizes but ultimately envies.
Question 8
What literary device does Orwell use extensively in the novel to critique social norms, such as in phrases like 'the money-god'?
- Irony
- Satire
- Allegory
- Stream of consciousness
Show answer
B. Satire Orwell employs satire to mock and expose the absurdities of 1930s British society's worship of money and conformity.
Question 9
In the context of the novel, what does Gordon's final acceptance of the aspidistra in his home symbolize?
- His artistic triumph
- His surrender to middle-class values
- A rejection of Rosemary
- A new rebellion against society
Show answer
B. His surrender to middle-class values The aspidistra, once hated, becomes a symbol of Gordon's capitulation to the very bourgeois life he fought against, marking his defeat.
Question 10
How does Orwell's portrayal of Gordon's poverty reflect broader political themes of the 1930s?
- It celebrates anarchist ideals
- It critiques the futility of individual rebellion in a capitalist system
- It advocates for communist revolution
- It promotes artistic isolation as virtuous
Show answer
B. It critiques the futility of individual rebellion in a capitalist system Orwell uses Gordon's failed rebellion to show how capitalism forces conformity, suggesting individual defiance is ineffective without systemic change.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying FAQ
What is 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' about?
The novel follows Gordon Comstock, a struggling poet in 1930s London who renounces the 'money god' of capitalist society to pursue artistic purity. His rebellion leads to poverty, strained relationships, and a downward spiral, culminating in his eventual surrender to conventional life when his girlfriend Rosemary becomes pregnant.
Why should I read 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'?
It offers a sharp critique of materialism and class struggle in pre-war Britain, blending Orwell's trademark social commentary with dark humor. The protagonist's flawed idealism provides a relatable exploration of the tension between artistic integrity and societal pressures.
What is the background/setting of 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying'?
Set in 1930s London during the Great Depression, the novel depicts a grimy, economically stratified city. Gordon lives in a shabby boarding house and works at a dismal bookshop, contrasting with the middle-class comfort symbolized by the aspidistra plant.
What are the most memorable quotes?
Key quotes include Gordon's declaration, 'The money-god! I am going to defy it,' and his observation, 'The aspidistra is the tree of life,' satirizing bourgeois values. Another is, 'In a country like England, you can no more be cultured without money than you can be virtuous without a belief in God.'
What writing style does the author use?
Orwell employs a realist, descriptive style with biting satire and psychological depth. The prose is direct and unadorned, mirroring Gordon's grim surroundings, while ironic commentary highlights the absurdities of money-worship.
What minor details add significant meaning?
The recurring aspidistra plant symbolizes middle-class respectability and Gordon's eventual capitulation. Small details like his patched clothes, the grime in his room, and the cheap 'Twopenny' library books underscore his poverty and social alienation.
What are some subtle foreshadowing moments?
Early scenes where Gordon scorns money yet depends on small loans foreshadow his financial collapse. Rosemary's practical nature and his sister's conventional life hint at his inevitable return to normality, mirrored by the resilient aspidistra.
What unexpected character connections exist?
Gordon's friend Ravelston, a wealthy socialist, ironically funds Gordon's rebellion while living comfortably, highlighting class hypocrisy. The bookstore owner, Mr. Cheeseman, represents the drudgery Gordon fears, connecting to his later advertising job.
What are unspoken character motivations?
Gordon's rebellion is partly driven by pride and a desire to prove his superiority, not pure idealism. Rosemary stays with him out of love but also a hope to reform him, while Ravelston supports Gordon to assuage his own guilt about privilege.
What psychological complexities do characters exhibit?
Gordon exhibits self-destructive tendencies, using poverty as a badge of honor while secretly craving success. His internal conflict between artistic dreams and societal expectations leads to depression and bitterness, affecting his relationships.
What are the major emotional turning points?
Key moments include Gordon's humiliating pawnshop visit, his fight with Rosemary over money, and her pregnancy announcement. The climax is his decision to marry Rosemary and take a stable job, symbolizing emotional resignation.
How do relationship dynamics evolve?
Gordon and Rosemary's relationship deteriorates as his poverty strains their bond, but it rebuilds after her pregnancy forces practicality. His friendship with Ravelston becomes strained by class differences, reflecting the novel's themes.
Which parts remain ambiguous or open-ended?
It's ambiguous whether Gordon's surrender is a tragic defeat or a mature acceptance of responsibility. The ending leaves his future happiness uncertain, questioning if he finds genuine contentment or mere resignation in conformity.
What are controversial scenes or decisions?
Gordon's misogynistic outbursts and his neglect of Rosemary are controversial, as is his eventual capitulation to capitalism. Some readers debate whether Orwell critiques or sympathizes with Gordon's flawed rebellion.
'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' ending explained: how it ends & what it means
Gordon abandons his poetic ambitions, marries Rosemary, and takes a job in advertising, symbolized by him buying an aspidistra. The ending suggests that rejecting money is unsustainable, critiquing both idealism and societal materialism.
About the author
Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalitarianism, and support of democratic socialism.
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