Georges Kopp Character Analysis in Homage to Catalonia

Orwell’s commander in the POUM militia. He demonstrates his commitment to the Spanish Republican cause by sacrificing his Belgian nationality in order to fight in a foreign army. Characterized by a cheerful, nonchalant attitude toward even the most perilous moments in the war, Kopp becomes Orwell’s personal friend and impresses him with his effective leadership in moments of difficulty. During the Barcelona street fighting, he distinguishes himself by parleying with the enemy in the middle of rifle-fire and, through successful negotiation, saving tens of lives. Once the POUM is declared illegal, Kopp is imprisoned. Orwell repeatedly attempts to get him freed but all his efforts fail in the face of police bureaucracy. Kopp, however, assumes he will probably be shot and accepts his fate with good humor. When he is sent to a secret prison, once Orwell has already left the country, Orwell loses his trace.

Georges Kopp Character Timeline in Homage to Catalonia

The timeline below shows where the character Georges Kopp appears in Homage to Catalonia. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Georges Kopp, a Belgian commander, leads Orwell and his company through bleak, infertile fields. During the trip,... (full context)

Political Infighting and the Media Theme Icon

This war of stagnation, which Georges Kopp calls “a comic opera with an occasional death,” has causes that Orwell is unaware of... (full context)

...an attack on the Fascist position and Orwell decides to take part in the operation. Kopp explains the plan: the men are to drive the Fascists out of a section of... (full context)

...been taken away on stretchers, but Jorge and another wounded man are still missing. Distraught, Kopp asks for volunteers to go search for Jorge, his personal friend and one of his... (full context)

...few anecdotes that remain particularly vivid in his mind: a moment of warm companionship with Kopp; the suddenness of a shell attack on his position; the sound of men on both... (full context)

...and he heads, instead, to the POUM Executive Building to receive orders. There, he finds Kopp and, when they hear the loud sound of guns firing below, he follows his officer... (full context)

Kopp takes control of the situation and, courageously, in the middle of the fray, disarms so... (full context)

Orwell waits for many hours on the roof, bored and reading a novel. He notices Kopp, who has by now become friendly with the Assault Guards, enter the Café Moka from... (full context)

...that this fighting might divert energy from the greater fight against the Fascists. That evening, Kopp tells Orwell that the Government is planning to declare the POUM illegal as a means... (full context)

To receive his medical discharge, Orwell must travel to Siétamo. There, he meets Kopp, who has just returned from the front and is excited about the fall of Huesca,... (full context)

That afternoon, Orwell and his wife visit Kopp. In the makeshift prison, Orwell notices that most of the prisoners are poor, working-class men... (full context)

When Kopp arrives, he is cheerful and lighthearted. He tells Orwell and his wife that he will... (full context)

When Orwell arrives at the War Department, bearing a letter that Kopp has written for the colonel, he is stopped by an Assault Guard who demands to... (full context)

...is able to find the office and meet the colonel’s secretary. When Orwell confesses that Kopp was part of the POUM, the secretary reacts with panic. Orwell is forced to admit... (full context)

...train, Orwell writes a final letter to the Ministry of War to try to get Kopp liberated. None of his efforts have any effect and Kopp remains in prison. Like so... (full context)