Recipe for totalitarianism

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Firstly, perhaps no book has linked animals to human counterparts better than Animal Farm. Orwell's beasts serve as a representation of important characters of the World War II era and beyond. For example, Karl Marx, the inventor of the communist movement, was represented by Old Major, the most important animal on the farm until his death. Much like Old Major, Marx was a visionary who dreamed of equality. Old Major states:"Is it not crystal clear, then, comrades, that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings? Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free. What then must we do? Why, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race! That is my message to you, comrades: Rebellion!"(Orwell, Animal Farm, 30). In addition, he inspired the Russian Social Democratic Leader Party, led by rivals Joseph Stalin and Leon Trostky. Napoleon is represented by Joseph Stalin and much like him, he builds loyalties within the communist party ( pigs and dogs) so that he can overthrow Snowball (Trostky). Snowball displaying similar traits with Trotsky in the fact that they both fight bravely in their respective battles. Trotsky was an important component to the victory in the Russian civil war, Snowball displaying this bravery during the battle of the cowshed. The hens, geese, and sheep that are executed are a representation of the millions who opposed Stalin's, and who are killed banished as a result. The hens and geese are not known for their docile natures, and serve as perfect rebels . As well, the pigs' metamorphosis of their face and behaviour is symbolic of the transition of a government initially for the people, into ... ... middle of paper ... ...e encyclopedia. “Russian Revolution” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution October 9, 2013 About.com. “Joseph Stalin”. http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/ss/Stalin_5.htm October 9, 2013 BBC. “Hitler's Invasion of Russia in World War Two” http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/hitler_russia_invasion_01.shtml October 9, 2013 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “Reinforcement”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Brief_history October 18, 2013 Kreis, Steven. “The History Guide: Lectures on modern European Intellectual History”. http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/marx.html October 18, 2013 Books Orwell, George.1984. London: Frederic Warburg, 1949. Print Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London: Secker and Warburg, 1945. Print Thorndike, E. L. The elements of psychology. New York: A. G. Seiler , 1905. Print

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