Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life

Back in the cottage, Orwell feverishly composes Homage to Catalonia, while Eileen types and edits his drafts. Their friends are still in prison in Spain. Eileen writes to Norah about the writing and about her concerns relating to Kopp—both that he may be executed and that he may come back and try to pursue a romantic opportunity with her.

Funder dramatizes a scene in which Eileen senses that Orwell is writing her out of the story. Eileen considers whether her tendency to make herself small is resulting in her complete erasure. She tells Norah about Kopp and the war, and about their new dog, Marx. She also tells Norah about the charming son of a friend who has reminded her of her own desire to have children. Orwell interrupts her letter-writing with complaints about the lack of light and his hunger. She finishes quickly and sees to his needs.

Two months later, Orwell has a coughing fit that results in a hemorrhage. Eileen calls an ambulance, summons a friend to come care for the house and animals, and accompanies Orwell to the hospital. She gets her brother to come and attend to Orwell, who is moved to Kent for further testing and treatment.