Free george orwells animal farm research paper sample

Introduction

“ Animal Farm” was written by George Orwell. It is a satire and political literature. The original title of the novel is “ Animal Farm: A Fairy Story” that proves it as a fable written with a purpose. However, the author did a wonderful attempt to present the political crisis and tyrannical government through a story of animals in a farm. It is a dystopian and allegorical novel. Orwell’s intention is to reflect Russian Revolution and reign of Stalin in Soviet Union. The novel is about the life of animals in a farm. They wanted to rebel and save themselves from the clutches of men and set new rules for them. However, there is no use of their struggle and revolution as they were caught in the hands of atrocious pigs and lost their freedom and happiness. The animals start working hard for the development of the pigs in the organization role. Resembling humans in Soviet Union, the animals except pigs were not benefitted by the changes in government instead their condition become worse.

Background

In the twentieth century, Russian was bipolar where many citizens were oppressed and impoverished by small group of authoritative leaders who controlled most of the country’s wealth. In 1917, the Russia seemed that Karl Marx’s visions were to become reality. Tsar Nicholas was thrown away from the power after Civil War as their family was in the reign for three centuries. Through communist party, Lenin came to power. The new government takes away industry and land from private and keeps them under government control. When Lenin died, Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin came to power to control the newly created Soviet Union. Stalin, a smart and artful politician, soon excommunicated Trotsky from Russia, a vivacious and innovative leader. Stalin started showing his authoritative power over the common folks.

Summary

After rebellion, Snowball changes the name of the Manor Farm to “ Animal Farm” and creates seven commandments, as he wants to form the basis of Animalism. In the seven commandments, main intention is to hate human and unite animals. Because of rebellion and seven commandments, all the animals live happily adhering Animalism and get their share of food equally and properly. Napoleon and Snowball used to conduct meetings for all the animals. In the meeting, they chant “ Four legs good, two legs bad” to prove their unity and hatred towards humans.
Snowball is vivacious and inventive to bring wonderful innovative ideas for the development of the animals. On the contrary, Napoleon is smart and does not like Snowballs activities as he gets the good name among animals. Napoleon wants to be bossy over other animals. Therefore, he trains nine fierce and voracious dogs as his private army to send Snowball out of the Animal Farm. Later, he indulges all animals to build the windmill claiming it as his own idea, but originally it was Snowball’s vision to build windmill. Pigs start act against the resolutions by having trade with humans and moving to the farmhouse to sleep comfortably in bed, which they were not supposed to do. Squealer convinces the animals that question against the pigs’ behaviors. Every animal has to work hard for the development of his or her life. However, pigs and dogs never do any manual works and take organizational part to lead other animals.
The pigs change the maxim as “ All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Pigs take more privileges and threaten the animals with the help of dogs. Napoleon announces himself as president and builds school for the young pigs. The rebellious idea among animals vanished and they work hard for the welfare of pigs and his human partners. At last, Napoleon changes the name of the farm again to “ Manor Farm.” Animals cannot find difference between the clever pig and humans while they were playing poker.

Critical Analysis

George Orwell skillfully uses the satire in the “ Animal farm” as a tool to express the tyranny of politics and government by presenting the life and struggles of animals. Animal Farm is a satirical novel to show his hatred for the follies at the time. The novel begins with the rhetoric speech of the Old Major. Rhetoric is a technique used by the speaker to make his audience familiar with what he speaks. The language, spoken and written, takes a vital role in the novel. Through language, Squealer attracts and cheats the animals. He becomes the protagonist. Like human political leaders, the pigs learn the language to use it to overrule the other animals. It is clearly visible when Squealer changed the seven commandments and maxims according to the order of Napoleon. Even the hens raised voice against the atrocities of Napoleon and the other pig because Napoleon planned to sell eggs to human. However, they were controlled by not providing food for many days that kills nine hens. These tortures make them withdraw from their revolt. By presenting the power of pigs in the guise of leaders, Orwell presents the political tyrannies and leader’s dominant rule over the common person.

Symbolism

In the novel, symbols take a special part that mirrors the historical people and events. Almost all the characters are made to symbolize something or someone. Old major symbolizes the thinkers, Lenin and Karl Marx. Even his age is a symbol of wisdom. The song “ Beasts of England” is to symbolize the Karl Marx writings. The brutal dictator, Napoleon, symbolizes Joseph Stalin. Snowball symbolizes the Leon Trotsky who was thrown away from the power and excommunicated by Stalin. Boxer, a blind supporter of Napoleon, symbolizes the working class people who believe Stalin blindly. Squealer symbolizes the propagandists in the country. Thus, every character, age, and events are used as symbols by George Orwell to reflect the Russian society.
Old Major’s dream and vision for Animalism stands for Karl Marx’s communist manifesto. The fall of Mr. Jones, the owner of the Manor farm, reflects the fall of Tsar Nicholas II. The Battle of Cowshed and the Battle of Windmill represent the Russian Civil War and World War II, respectively. Boxer’s death is to symbolize the betrayal of the proletariat by Joseph Stalin. Boxer’s death is an allegory within the allegory. The final feast between pigs and humans symbolizes the Tehran Conference of 1943.

Characterization

George Orwell creates his characters in “ Animal Farm” to reflect the Russian Revolution and the characters of the leaders. The major characters are created to criticize the real-time dominant leaders of Russian Revolution. Many of the events and characters in the novel parallel the events and leaders of the Soviet Union. The dominant characters in the novel are Old Major, Napoleon, and Snowball represents the leaders of the Russian Revolution. Even the human character, Mr. Jones, satirizes the uncontestable rule of Tsar Nicholas, Russian Emperor.
Old major is a wise and senior pig that has a vision for the animals in the Manor farm. His death remembers the death of Lenin. Snowball is inventive and vivacious who reflects Trotsky, and Napoleon is smart as Stalin. These two take up the leadership position after Old Major, as Trotsky and Stalin become leaders after the death of Lenin. The sheep is portrayed as a loyal citizen of Animal Farm and knows little about the government, but follows the government blindly that represents the common folks in the country. As Squealer is a good speaker, he cheats the other animals through his speeches and represents totalitarian government’s propaganda machine. The nine dogs of Napoleon’s private army are to satirize the agencies Stalin used to threaten the Soviet Union populace. To express the pathetic condition of working class people, the well-built and hardworking Boxer is created. His personal maxims are “ I will work harder” and “ napoleon is always right.” He is a tragic character that resembles working class who were used by the government and suffered in the end without getting any profit. Benjamin is a donkey that shows pessimistic attitude towards rebellion and pigs’ organization. He bears similarity to George Orwell who had a pessimistic view on government.

Themes and Ideas

“ Animal Farm” consists of various themes like false allegiance, religion, political tyranny, role of the populace, and tyrants. Power takes the major part among the other themes. Orwell depicted the scenario in which power causes corruption, cruel leadership, showing control over common people, and intellectually inferior. In the novel, animals wanted to get rid of the old rule to escape from the clutches of power. Therefore, they find a new set of rule for their free life; pigs oppressed he other animals. These rules and order became the most powerful weapon to oppress the other animals, as they follow it blindly. The theme of foolishness is used to cause sufferings to the common animals. The authoritative leaders use the foolishness of the other animals to show poor over them because they believe that their leader is always right, and their duty is to work hard.
Through cunningness, the pigs cleverly attain the power and oppress other animals to grow. This theme portrays the real-time cunning leaders who cleverly oppress their folks by giving fake promises and propaganda. Even those animals have dreams, plans, and hopes like human beings to lead their life peacefully. Like Stalin’s manifesto, animals in the Animal Farm have dreams and visions that make them rebel and hope for a better future. These are the major themes besides plethora of themes.

As a Political Satire

Evidently, “ Animal farm” is no doubt a political satire. George Orwell wrote this fable to satirize the views on the Russian Revolution. George Orwell’s attempt to satirize the political tyranny and effects of Russian Revolution through children’s fable shocked the world. Pigs proposed Animalism that reflects the idea of communism by the political thinker, Karl Marx. In the beginning, the cruel leader, Napoleon insisted other animals to call him as a comrade, but finally, he commemorates no animals are equal and not comrades. He sends out Snowball as Stalin removed Trotsky from power cunningly. Boxer is a valiant horse whose character is to satirize the common people in Russia. In “ Animal Farm,” George Orwell tries to write it as a fable with the satirical touch. His intention is not only to attract the children through his animal characters, but also everyone to let them know about the crisis of Russian Revolution.
In the end, Animal Farm becomes the worse place to live just like Soviet Union, which becomes the worse place for humans to live. Animal suffered due to the tyrannical attitude of pigs, which overpower the other animals. It satirizes the condition of Russia after the revolution and the pathetic condition of country folks. The name of the farm, Animal Farm, has changed again to Manor farm that reveals the unchanged living condition of human beings in Russia even after the Russian Revolution. Thus, George Orwell illustrated the political aspects and history through the fable “ Animal farm.”

As a Fable

Traditional fables come with a moral that usually attributes animals. In “ Animal Farm,” George Orwell tries to write it as a fable with the satirical touch. His intention is not only to attract the children through his animal characters, but also everyone to let them know about the crisis of Russian Revolution. Through fable, Orwell delivers his message universally. Although the events and characters portray particular parallels in the Russian Society, their status as symbols allows them to signify beyond times and places. Orwell created the character Napoleon, for example, parallel to Stalin, a cruel leader and dictator. Orwell’s intention is to reflect Russian Revolution and reign of Stalin in Soviet Union. The novel is about the life of animals in a farm. They wanted to rebel and save themselves from the clutches of men and set new rules for them. However, there is no use of their struggle and revolution as they were caught in the hands of atrocious pigs and lost their freedom and happiness. The animals start working hard for the development of the pigs in the organization role. Resembling humans in Soviet Union, the animals except pigs were not benefitted by the changes in government instead their condition becomes worse.
George Orwell wrote this fable to satirize the views on the Russian Revolution. George Orwell’s attempt to satirize the political tyranny and effects of Russian Revolution through children’s fable shocked the world. Animal leaders proposed Animalism that reflects the idea of communism by the political thinker, Karl Marx. In the beginning, the cruel leader, Napoleon insisted other animals to call him as a comrade, but finally, he commemorates no animals are equal and not comrades. He sends out Snowball as Stalin removed Trotsky from power cunningly. Boxer is a valiant horse whose character is to satirize the common people in Russia. This genre, fable, helps Orwell to attract audience, and this is a major reason for the success of the novel. If he wrote it as a long essay reflecting his view on Russian revolution, it might not be interesting enough for the readers. The success of the novel lies in its form that it tells the story of animals and its sufferings to present the life of humans and political tyranny.

Conclusion

Historically, writers can criticize government or individuals through fairy story. The fairy story writers can escape from claiming that their intention is to write a fairy tale and not criticizing anyone. Orwell’s characterization helps him to increase sympathy to his argument as fairy story allows for the development of numerous characters. By telling the story of animals and their pathetic condition, George Orwell brings us in and permits us to find the condition of working class that he presents. Thus, a fairy story allows him to present more intensely to emotion than a political novel.
In “ Animal Farm,” the light-hearted, innocent, pastoral of the novel stands in tyranny of politics and stark contrast malignant tendencies that it tries to present. This contrast includes to the novel’s use of irony. Irony of the situation of the common people in Soviet Union is presented through the political crisis and sufferings of animal in the Animal Farm.
Finally, through fable, Orwell delivers his message universally. Although the events and characters portray particular parallels in the Russian Society, their status as symbols allows them to signify beyond times and places. Orwell created the character Napoleon, for example, parallel to Stalin, a cruel leader and dictator. Orwell’s intention is to reflect Russian Revolution and reign of Stalin in Soviet Union. The novel is about the life of animals in a farm. They wanted to rebel and save themselves from the clutches of men and set new rules for them. However, there is no use of their struggle and revolution as they were caught in the hands of atrocious pigs and lost their freedom and happiness. The animals start working hard for the development of the pigs in the organization role. Resembling humans in Soviet Union, the animals except pigs were not benefitted by the changes in government instead they suffered a lot.
“ Animal Farm” is not a story of a particular animal’s perspective; it does not have a protagonist. Rather, it is told from the perspective of the common animals as a group. This technique enables Orwell to portray a large description of the common people who suffer under communism. George Orwell presents the loyalty of working class people, work ethic, and gullibility, of the whole class of animals. In this way, Orwell gives the answer for the question of why many people would support and accept the communism and Russian government.
George Orwell wrote this fable to satirize the views on the Russian Revolution. George Orwell’s attempt to satirize the political tyranny and effects of Russian Revolution through children’s fable shocked the world. Animal leaders proposed Animalism that resembles the idea of communism by the political thinker, Karl Marx. In the beginning, the cruel leader, Napoleon insisted other animals to call him as a comrade, but finally, he commemorates no animals are equal and not comrades. He sends out Snowball from the power as Stalin removed Trotsky from power cunningly. Boxer is a valiant horse whose character is to satirize the common people in Russia.
In “ Animal Farm,” George Orwell tries to write it as a fable with the satirical touch. His intention is not only to attract the children through his animal characters, but also everyone to let them know about the crisis of Russian Revolution. This genre, fable, helps Orwell to attract the audience, and this is a major reason for the success of the novel. If he wrote it as a long essay reflecting his view on Russian revolution, it might not be interesting enough for the readers. The success of the novel lies in its form that it tells the story of animals and its sufferings to present the life of humans and political tyranny.

Works Cited

Bloom, Harold. George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House, 1996. Print
Orwell, George, Shirley Joshua, and Daniel Reed. George Orwell’s Animal Farm: Complete, Original and Unabridged Authoritative Text with Selected Criticism and Background Notes. New Delhi: Dominant Publ. and Distributors, 2008. Print.
Grumley, Larry, and George Orwell. A Text Response Guide to George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Fitzroy, Vic.: Warringal Publications, 1999. Print.
Brown, Alan. The Story behind George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Oxford: Heinemann Library, 2007. Print.
Orwell, George, and Ralph Steadman. Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1995. Print.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Carmel, CA: Hampton-Brown, 2007. Print.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm by George Orwell: Exploring the Fable. Mont Albert, Vic.: Education Essentials, 1995. Print.
Blakey, Barbara, and George Orwell. Animal Farm by George Orwell: Focus Guide. Olympia, WA: Total Language Plus, 2010. Print.
Freadman, Paul. Animal Farm by George Orwell: Notes. Melbourne: CAE Book Groups, 1984. Print.
Peaslee, Richard, George Orwell, Peter Hall, Adrian Mitchell, and Richard Peaslee. George Orwell’s Animal Farm. London: Methuen, 1985. Print.