Analysis Of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'

Animal Farm: The Quintessential Depiction of a Communist Society

The Russian Revolution of 1917 marked the end of human freedom in the Soviet Union. Prior to the Revolution, which is considered one of the most significant events of the 20th century, Tsar Nicholas II ruled over Russia. During his ruling, the Russian people suffered through inordinate poverty and inescapable famine. However, after the Russian people rose up against their government, when Joseph Stalin came into power, Russia’s government became much worse than the one which they had overthrown. George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm, despised Stalin. After learning about the outrageous oppression occurring in Russia, Orwell was driven to write the acclaimed novel Animal Farm

Using characters like Old Major, Mr. Jones, Snowball, and Napoleon to represent dominant figures of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Snowball represents Trotsky, Napoleon represents Stalin, and Old major represents the political economist Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Mr. Jones is overthrown by the animals of Manor Farm to represent Tsar Nicholas II, who was overthrown during the Russian Revolution. Old Major plays an important role in the development of the rebellion because he is the one who, through his persuasive speech, is able to convince all the animals of Manor Farm to participate in the revolution. Unlike Snowball, Napoleon is more concerned about his own personal power and becoming a tyrant, instead of the revolution against Mr. Jones. Through manipulation and fear, Napoleon is successful in turning Manor Farm into a society ruled by a totalitarian government. In contrast, Snowball is a more an intelligent and creative pig. In comparison to Napoleon, Snowball has less tyrannical tendencies which makes him have less individual power, but because he values the revolution more than his own power, he plays a strong role in taking over Manor Farm. There is no animal apart from the pigs that can understand the truth because they are illiterate. “The birds did not understand Snowball 's long words, but they accepted his

Even though the communist Soviet Union no longer exists, “Animal Farm has become the classic satire on Soviet Communism, and its pertinence is unchanged” (Fadiman). George Orwell writes about issues concerning the political problems during World War II that are still relevant in today’s social and political realm. Communism still exists today. In today’s society we have five communist countries remaining: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. One country that more recently has come to attention is the totalitarian state known as North Korea. “In 2013 news came out of North Korea about the absolute rule or new leadership of Kim Jong-un, his cult of personality, and his treatment of a goodly percentage of his population with the use of terror. In many respects the satire also mirrors the North Korean Government.” (Weiner) Communist supreme leader Kim Jong-un maintains control over everything including access to information, education, consumer goods, media, and even food. Similarly to the propagandist character, Squealer, news from the outside of North Korea to avoid negative information from being not received by the North Korean people. This illusion caused by the totalitarian leaders that