George Orwell’s novel “Long Live Ficus!” (1903–1950), author of the famous dystopia “1984,” is in many ways autobiographical. The main character is a talented but unrecognized poet who despises material well-being and the vulgarity of everyday life, symbolized by a ficus. Only love makes him understand that besides high art there are simple joys, and that the desire to earn money is nothing shameful.