Parallels Between Animal Farm and Communist Russia
“Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” George Orwell embodies this quote in his book, Animal Farm. He uses the platform of the book and also allegorical references to shed light on the horrors of Communist Russia and The Russian Revolution. Orwell uses some of the most significant figures in Russia, such as, Leon Trotsky, as Snowball, Joseph Stalin , using the character Napoleon, and Boxer represents the working class.
In the first place, we see Snowball and how he corrolates to Leon Trotsky. For example, just as Trotsky had plans to advance Russia and the economy, Snowball had plans for Animal Farm(source here). Snowball had plans for a windmill and many other things(book source). Secondly, Snowball was the only pig in the elite group of pigs who was actually looking out for the other animals on the
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For example, once Napoleon takes over Animal Farm, the food production goes down, they do not make any profit and have horrible living places(source). This is exactly what happened when Stalin took over Russia, the economy declined, the working class is still treated as not equals, and anyone who opposed those ideals were executed(source). Also, when Napoleon basically forces a hen rebellion and makes them falsely confess about crimes they did not commit(source). In histroical context, this parallels to Stalin’s “Great Purge” in the 1930’s(source). Stalin got rid of his enemies and anyone who opposed him and enstilled fear in others(source). Lastly, when Napoleon is asked about events where Snowball was a true hero and he twists the truth to portray him as an emeny of Animal Farm(source). Stalin does this as well, he tries to re-write himself as a hero and savior to Russia