Essay on Animal Farm by Orwell

Introduction

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a literary masterpiece that tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer and establish a socialist community based on the principles of equality and mutual respect (Orwell, 1945). However, over time, the pigs who lead the revolution gradually become corrupted by power and begin to oppress and exploit the other animals, ultimately turning the farm into a totalitarian state. This essay will analyze the use of allegory in "Animal Farm" to show how Orwell's novel is a powerful commentary on the Russian Revolution and the dangers of totalitarianism.

Body Paragraphs

The first way that Orwell uses allegory in "Animal Farm" is by creating animal characters that represent different historical figures from the Russian Revolution. For example, Old Major, the wise and visionary pig who inspires the animals to rebel against Mr. Jones, represents the communist leader Karl Marx (Bloom, 2007). Similarly, Napoleon, the ruthless and power-hungry pig who takes over the farm and establishes a dictatorship, represents Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader who came to power after Lenin's death (Meyers, 1997).

Another way that Orwell uses allegory in "Animal Farm" is by using the animals' actions and experiences to illustrate the key events of the Russian Revolution. For example, the animals' initial rebellion against Mr. Jones represents the February Revolution, which overthrew the Tsarist regime in Russia. Similarly, the Battle of the Cowshed, in which the animals repel a human attack on the farm, represents the Russian Civil War, which was fought between the Bolsheviks and the anti-communist forces (Orwell, 1945).

Finally, Orwell uses allegory in "Animal Farm" to critique the flaws and contradictions of the communist ideology. For instance, the slogan "All animals are equal" that the animals adopt at the beginning of the revolution is later modified to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others", highlighting the pigs' hypocrisy and betrayal of the revolution's ideals (Orwell, 1945). Additionally, the character of Boxer, the loyal and hardworking horse who represents the working class, is ultimately betrayed by the pigs and sent to the knacker's yard, symbolizing the callous exploitation of the proletariat by the ruling class (Bloom, 2007).

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a masterful allegory that uses animal characters and events to critique the Russian Revolution and the dangers of totalitarianism. Through the use of allegory, Orwell creates a powerful commentary on the flaws and contradictions of the communist ideology, while also showing how the noble ideals of equality and justice can be corrupted by human greed and ambition. Overall, "Animal Farm" remains a timeless classic that speaks to the universal themes of power, oppression, and revolution, and continues to inspire readers to question authority and fight for freedom.

References

Bloom, H. (Ed.). (2007). George Orwell's Animal Farm. Infobase Publishing

Meyers, J. (1997). A Reader's Guide to George Orwell. Thames and Hudson.

Orwell, G. (1945). Animal Farm. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.