I've spent a good amount of time with George Orwell's 'Politics and the English Language.' The essay itself is a masterpiece on clarity and precision in writing, but when it comes to footnotes, the original text doesn't include them. Orwell’s work is direct and to the point, so he didn’t rely on footnotes for additional explanations. However, depending on where you find the PDF, some editions might include editor's notes or annotations at the end, especially in academic versions. These aren’t part of Orwell’s original work but are added by publishers or scholars to provide context or analysis. I’ve seen versions with footnotes that break down his arguments or link them to modern linguistic debates, but they’re not universal. If you’re looking for the pure, unaltered essay, stick to versions that don’t have these extras.
For those who want to explore further, I recommend checking out collections like 'Shooting an Elephant and Other Essays,' which often include 'Politics and the English Language' in its original form. The lack of footnotes actually makes the essay more impactful—Orwell’s ideas stand starkly on their own, without needing elaboration. If you’re using it for research, though, annotated editions might be helpful for deeper insights into his rhetorical techniques.