George Orwell's Animal Farm

George Orwell wrote Animal Farm to represent the USSR, and it does a good job defining many other oppressive governments, “Animal Farm is a fable that offers simple, valuable political lessons. Among them are the following: power corrupts; revolutions tend to come full circle and devour their peoples; and even good, decent people not only hunger for power, but also worship powerful leaders. Animal Farm will continue, therefore, to serve as an aid to grasping twentieth century history, both Russian and Western, and for understanding biographical and political issues related to the nature of socialism, the Russian Revolution, Marxist theory, and the abuse of language” (Rodden 75). However, that is not to say that Animal Farm can’t be interpreted

Although it is easy to say that if a leader lies to their country, they are in the wrong, that isn’t always the case, “The overwhelming majority of readers carry away from Animal Farm the conviction that the animals, except the pigs, are innocent dupes. The corruption of the revolution is so gradual and insidious that it seems inevitable. In particular, Boxer, is universally regarded as the hero of the book, a character whose pathos has led him to be seen as an equine Little Nell. Are we supposed to condemn him for failing to stand up to Napoleon? The fact is that he simply does not have the brains to do so” (Pearce 52). As Pearce points out, are the less apt people of society to be blamed for being taken control of? It is the obvious conclusion to blame the government for taking control, but that is where moral dilemma sets in. Are the less intellectual meant to be taken advantage of? Are oppressive governments truly disguising themselves or are people living in ignorance of their own situation? In some cases, are people even willing to be taken control of as to have a leader in charge who will handle the political business without question or outside opinion? “Most difficult of all is the issue of whether in Animal Farm Orwell was explaining why one particular revolution failed or implying that all revolutions fail” (Pearce

During the time it was written, the novel was criticized, as it was during a time that the Soviet Union was an ally. As the events of history unraveled, and people saw that Orwell had judgements that were fair and based, the book helped people reflect on revolution, oppressive governments and their disguises, lying leaders and manipulative tactics, propaganda and all of the consequences of the above. Readers are able to reflect on ideas such as humanitarianism, totalitarianism, Marxism, fascism, and communism. It is more than a fairy tale and it is more than a warning to future generations - it is guide to help readers see. It is a lense for people of society to see through the manipulative ways that oppressive governments use to disguise themselves, from eloquence and intelligence to military force and tactics based on protection and fear. It shows the consequences of people that are blinded by oppression, and even the superficial rewards of people who aid in oppression and manipulation, showing both sides of the coin of oppression. In the novel, neither side is technically blamed for the outcomes of the failed revolution - the pigs are not blamed for taking advantage of the weaker minded animals and the less intelligent animals are not blamed for being taken advantage of. It merely shows the cause and effect of what happens when power corrupts an individual and what happens to a revolution when corruption taints