The document provides an overview and analysis of the political allegory in George Orwell's Animal Farm. It summarizes that the farm represents Russia, the animal revolution mirrors the Russian Revolution, and the pigs who take power (Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer) correspond to real-world Soviet leaders like Stalin, Trotsky, and Molotov. Key characters like Boxer and Moses also represent common citizens and the role of religion in Soviet society. The document analyzes how the allegory critiques how the Russian Revolution devolved into a totalitarian regime.
The document provides an overview and analysis of the political allegory in George Orwell's Animal Farm. It summarizes that the farm represents Russia, the animal revolution mirrors the Russian Revolution, and the pigs who take power (Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer) correspond to real-world Soviet leaders like Stalin, Trotsky, and Molotov. Key characters like Boxer and Moses also represent common citizens and the role of religion in Soviet society. The document analyzes how the allegory critiques how the Russian Revolution devolved into a totalitarian regime.
The document provides an overview and analysis of the political allegory in George Orwell's Animal Farm. It summarizes that the farm represents Russia, the animal revolution mirrors the Russian Revolution, and the pigs who take power (Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer) correspond to real-world Soviet leaders like Stalin, Trotsky, and Molotov. Key characters like Boxer and Moses also represent common citizens and the role of religion in Soviet society. The document analyzes how the allegory critiques how the Russian Revolution devolved into a totalitarian regime.
• Published in 1945, George Orwell’s Animal Farm tells the story of a
group of farm animals who stage a revolution and take over their farm. • The revolution begins with principled idealism, but its pig leaders become increasingly corrupt • They soon turn to manipulation and propaganda in order to maintain power and control, and the farm becomes a totalitarian regime. • With this narrative, Orwell creates a searing political allegory about the failures of the Russian Revolution. POLITICAL ALLEGORY
• Political allegories are stories that use imaginary
characters and situations to satirize real-life political events. • Animal farm is a political allegory on Russian revolution. • The farm is considered to be Russia. • Old Major’s philosophy is called animalism, it represents the ideas of socialism/communalism. NAPOLEAN
• Napoleon is a large pig who lives on Manor Farm.
• He is an early leader of animal revolution • He becomes more cutthroat as he acquires more power • Becomes a totalitarian leader. SNOWBALL
• Snowball is a pig who lives on Manor Farm.
• Original driving force behind revolution • Chief architect of animalism • Snowball is a Intelligent, thoughtful pig who wants to turn the farm into paradise. • Represents combination of Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin. BOXER • Powerfully built workhorse • Kind and determined, not very bright. • Commit to animalism and works hard. • Believes leadership of pigs is always right • Orwell draws parallels between boxer’s experience and experiences of workers in the early soviet union Squealer • Squealer is a pig who emerges as Napoleon’s chief enforcer and propagandist. • An eloquent speaker who ignores the truth • Considered a stand in for Vyacheslav Molotov • Represents the disinformation and propaganda efforts of stalins government. Moses • Moses is the pet raven owned by Mr. Jones • He is a wonderful speaker and story-teller. • Moses initially flees the farm with Mr. Jones, but he later returns • Moses represents thepotential of organized religion to maintain the status quo by stupefying citizenry with promises of future rewards. Old Major • Old Major is the prize-winning boar who initially inspires the revolution. • He representsa combination of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. • When Old Major dies, his skull is preserved and put on display Mr. Jones • Mr. Jones is the farmer in charge of Manor Farm at the start of the novel • He is a cruel, incompetent, and often drunk leader. • His neglectof the animals is what first inspires the animals' violent revolt. • Mr. Jones represents Tsar Nicholas II, the incompetent ruler of Imperial Russia who abdicated in 1917 and was killed along with his entirely family.