Animal Farm
| File Name: | Animal Farm.txt - Download Original |
| Tags: | animal farm, george orwell |
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| Uploaded by: | jebaz |
| Last Changed: | Sep 13, 2001 09:16 PM |
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Many great works have been inspired by events in history. George Orwell's Animal Farm provides an unusual outlook on the Russian Revolution and its leaders by using animals to represent their human actions. Orwell attacks communist society and points out weaknesses in its government officials. He calls for a close examination of the treatment of Russian citizens and questions whether they have any rights at all. Orwell was careful in his use of animals in Animal Farm. Animal Farm uses the perfect combination of animal symbolism to relate the occurrences on Manor Farm to actual historical events of the Russian Revolution through the use of such characters as Napoleon, Snowball, Squealer, and Boxer. Napoleon is undoubtedly the most corrupt character in the novel. His brutal methods of ruling the farm draw strange but clear comparison to his human character Joseph Stalin. Napoleon is described as "a large, rather fierce-looking boar, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way" (Orwell 25). He dominates the political scene on Manor Farm, controls the education of the youth, and is a brilliant strategist when it comes to rallying support for his cause. Napoleon, throughout the novel, fails to present an idea that is original, but tends to take credit for the ideas of others (Meyers 108). Like Stalin, Napoleon is not a good speaker and is certainly not as clever as his political opponent. However, he makes good use of his resident "smooth-talker," Squealer, to insure that his subjects see the purpose of his evil and demented ideas, while those who oppose him are merely torn apart by dogs that Napoleon accumulated to protect him and distribute justice as he sees fit in much the same way that Stalin used the KGB. Napoleon relies on flashy displays of power like the firing of the shotgun or fancy titles such as "Terror of Mankind," "Protector of the Sheepfold," and "Fountain of Happiness" to feed his hunger for power to invoke the other animal's support at the deepest emotional level. Yet throughout his brutal reign as sole leader of the farm, Napoleon maintains a harsh part of work that works the bodies of every animal under his command. Only Napoleon and the other pigs enjoy the fruits of their labor while the others are left to exist with minimal food. Only their pride to sustain them through their slave-like lives. Nonetheless, this leader's Stalin-like qualities make for a harsh life for those around him and provide the farm with poverty and inequality. Unlike Napoleon, Snowball exhibits a desire to help his fellow animals, making him Napoleon's greatest opponent and only obstacle. Snowball is also modeled after a Russian leader. His description of being "a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive" (Orwell 25) makes him the perfect representation of Leon Trotsky. "Snowball embodies an expanding, dynamic view of reality; his social fabric will be permeable to the dynamic energies of an ever-changing technology" (Smyer 85). His good intentions are evident to all of the animals, and his means of assuring a better life consists of a more humane work schedule and even a retirement plan for elderly animals. Laws are also established which are conducive to the overall ideas and fundamentals of Animalism. Orwell's view of Snowball's role in this society is best summed up by the following: Snowball also busied himself with organizing the other animals into what he called Animal Committees…. He formed the Egg production Committee for the hens, the Clean Tails Committee for the cows, the Wild Comrades Re-education Committee…and various others, besides instituting classes in reading and writing. Snowball is a leader in many areas and even studies military strategy which helps him lead the animals to victory at the Battle of Cowshed where Farmer Jones attempts to regain his farm. Snowball's dynamic speeches and innovative ideas give insight to his superior intelligence, which allows him to maintain control of Animal Farm until he is chased away by Napoleon's dogs. Trotsky also possessed this same intellect and speaking ability and fell victim to Lenin's KGB agents who forced him to flee of hid life. After Snowball's exile, Napoleon diminishes the population's faith in their former leader by accusing him of treason and blaming all of the problems encountered on the farm as Snowball's revenge. This reduces all of Snowball, along with his good intentions, to a mere scapegoat. Squealer plays a major role in the dictatorship of Napoleon. His role as the preacher for the pigs gives him the task of persuading the animals opinions of Napoleon and justifying the leader's commands by rationalizing them to the less intelligent animals. The sly-talking Squealer takes pride in his task of providing the ideologically correct. Squealer makes up for Napoleon's inability to give dynamic speeches and gives the Seven Commandments to accommodate the wants of Napoleon and the rest of the pigs. Squealer himself takes a sense of responsibility and power by performing his tasks for Napoleon. Through fast-talking and the swift whisking of his tail, he convinces the animals of Manor Farm to believe and follow Napoleon. Without Squealer, there is a chance that the animals would realize that Animalism no longer exists under Napoleon and would rebel against their leader. Among the other animals in the fable, Boxer is the best representation of the mistreated working class. Boxer is the strongest animal on the farm and is an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. Boxer is used as the farm's premiere soldier and most productive laborer. He exhibits loyalty to the growth and production of Animal Farm by undertaking the toughest labor and vowing to work harder when times are tough. Boxer serves as an inspiration to the other animals and his approval of Napoleon's rule help maintain confidence in their leader. Boxer unfortunately is the least intelligent of the animals, which leads him to support ideas that he does not fully understand. He adopts the motto, "Napoleon is always right" which shows his ignorance whether it be by choice or by stupidity. Boxer wakes up earlier than the other animals to get a head start on the daily chores. Yet, despite his tireless effort, even Boxer is expendable in the mind of Napoleon and the other pigs. After Boxer's usefulness has left him, the pigs sell his body to the local glue-maker leaving Boxer with no reward for such a productive life. From there on Napoleon would rule over Snowball. Orwells decision to establish the pig as the most intelligent and governing animal on the farm seems quite fitting since they are regarded as dirty creatures by nature. His picture of the oppressed working class is masterful and supports the reader's deepest sympathy. By using simple farm animals to create comparison to real life historical figures, George Orwell successfully depicts life under government law. |
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