Animal Farm is a novel written by George Orwell. The story is about the rebellion of the animals against their human masters on Manor Farm. Animal Farm is a social criticism, as it highlights the problems with Soviet Russia and Stalin’s rule. The novel has become an important part of world literature and is often studied in high school English classes. Animal Farm is a timeless story that still resonates with readers today.
Writers often use social criticism in their books to show corruptness or weak points of a group in society. One way of doing this is allegory which is a story in which figures and actions are symbols of general truths. George Orwell is an example of an author who uses allegory to show a social criticism effectively. As in his novel Animal Farm, Orwell makes a parody of Soviet Communism as demonstrated by Animal Farm’s brutal totalitarian rule, manipulated and exploited working class, and the pigs’ evolution into the capitalists they initially opposed.
Although Animal Farm is an allegory of Soviet Communism, it can also be seen as a general criticism of any totalitarian government. Animal Farm’s tyrannical leader, Napoleon, is based on Joseph Stalin, the dictator of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1953. However, Orwellian scholar Bernard Crick argues that Napoleon represents all dictators, not just Stalin. Under Napoleon’s rule, the animals on Animal Farm are constantly starved and worked to exhaustion.
They are given false hope by Napoleon’s empty promises of a better life, only to have their dreams crushed when they realize that they will never be able to achieve them. The working class is manipulated and exploited by the ruling class in Animal Farm just as they are in many other societies. The pigs use the other animals for their own gain, and they do not care about the wellbeing of the others.
The pigs also evolve into the capitalists they initially opposed, which is a criticism of how those in power often become corrupt. Animal Farm is a social criticism that is relevant to many different time periods and societies. It is a timeless story that will continue to be relevant as long as there are tyrannical governments in power.
Totalitarianism is a political system in which the individual’s subordination to the state and strict regulation of all aspects of life are emphasized. During the 1920s and 1930’s, Stalin and the Bolsheviks used totalitarianism in Russia, as satirized in Animal Farm by Napoleon, “the Almighty Leader,” and his pig comrades’ ludicrous propaganda and draconian rules.
Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a novel based on the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. The novel centers around the power struggle between Napoleon, the leader of Animal Farm, and Snowball, his former right-hand man. Animal Farm is a social criticism of the Russian Revolution and Stalin’s regime. Animal Farm is an allegory for the rise of communism in Russia.
Animal Farm illustrates how those in power can use rhetoric, propaganda, and terror to control those who are powerless. The pigs in Animal Farm represent the Bolshevik party while the other animals represent the people of Russia. Animal Farm is a story that speaks to all times and all regimes. It is a story about how those in power will abuse their power if given the opportunity.
Animal Farm is a warning to all people about the dangers of totalitarianism. Animal Farm is an excellent example of how a novel can be used as a social criticism. Animal Farm is one of the most important novels of the 20th century. Animal Farm is a timeless classic that will continue to be read and studied for years to come. Animal Farm is a must read for anyone who is interested in history, politics, or literature.
The pigs had an inequality on the farm, as they lived in the farmhouse while the other animals were forced to sleep in pastures. It was Squealer’s job to spin propaganda, and he altered the farm’s rules frequently so that they matched Napoleon or “the upper class” of the farm, which was described as having no class distinction.
For example, there was a time when the commandment read “No animal should drink alcohol,” but after Napoleon guzzled down an excessive amount of wine and almost died, the restriction was changed to “No animal shall drink to excess.” This suggested that because Napoleon stayed within the regulations, he was not guilty.
The pigs also began to wear clothes, which originally was a commandment that said “No animal shall wear clothes.”(P.76). The animals were also not able to have contact with humans, as it was Animalist, however the pigs had multiple relations with Mr. Frederick and Mr. Pilkington throughout the novel Animal Farm. These two humans represented Russia and England respectively in George Orwell’s Animal Farm.(P.79-81)
The Pigs began to take on more human characteristics as the novel progressed. They started to walk upright, carry whips, and wear clothes. The other animals on the farm became increasingly alarmed at these changes and voiced their concerns to the pigs. However, Squealer, the pig in charge of propaganda, was able to convince the other animals that these changes were necessary and that they should not worry.
One of the most glaring examples of the inequality on Animal Farm is the fact that the pigs start to live in the farmhouse while the rest of the animals have to sleep in the barn. This is a clear example of the elite class taking advantage of those who are not in a position of power. The pigs also take on more human characteristics, such as walking upright and carrying whips. This further highlights the divide between the pigs and the other animals.
The Animal Farm ultimately represents a society where those in power abuse their position and take advantage of those who are not in a position to fight back. This is a clear social criticism of the way that many societies are structured. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a novel that should be read by everyone in order to understand the dangers of allowing a few individuals to have too much power.
