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Symbolism And Satire In George Orwell's Animal Farm

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Of all the literary classics, Animal Farm (Orwell, 1945) takes the cake in terms of symbolism and satire, which is definitely conspicuous and unambiguous. Any reader familiar with any revolution -> tyranny story will silently chuckle to his/herself as they read. The story takes place on Manor Farm, owned by Jones, who, like other landowners, is an absolutist. The disgruntled animals attend a meeting held by Old Major, who gives a stirring speech concerning animalism and revolution. Within a few weeks, the rebellion is carried out, and there is a brief bit of sheer joy. The seven commandments are created (see attached) and Manor Farm is renamed to Animal Farm. Jones returns to retake his farm, and is kicked out again. The pigs begin to fulfill their role as the leaders, and a rivalry between two pigs (Snowball and Napoleon) emerges. Napoleon eventually kicks out his rival, condemns him as a criminal, and …show more content…

After the revolution, the pigs slowly gain control over the course of the book, and begin to “bend the rules”, so to speak (i.e. trade). All of these personified animals have a specific role in your standard revolution. The animals start out as abused serfs, and they rebel. It is stated that all animals are equal, but the pigs appear to be rising as the new privileged class, using their literacy and clever brains to fool the other animals. Squealer, the tricky pig who could “turn black into white”, looks like any other propaganda-spreader. It can be assumed that Napoleon (the “leader”) will become the new dictator, and his nine enormous dogs represent his secret police. Boxer, the strong-but-stupid workhorse, (mottos: “I will work harder”, and “Napoleon is always right”), is similar to a brainwashed hardworking “comrade”, a proletariat (Russian working class) if you will. If overused symbolism is your kind of thing, then I might as well say that Napoleon and Snowball represent Stalin and

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Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory of Russia’s peasant uprising and overthrow of its final Czar, Czar Nicolas. Unlike in Animal Farm where the Jones family were just run off, the Czar’s family were all murdered. In Animal Farm, the animals separated themselves into groups based on species. After the Russian revolution, the peasants separated themselves based on profession. In Animal Farm, the pigs were the ones most able to read and write and took over leading their revolution.

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By the end of Animal Farm the animals realized the commandments have changed because the wall looks different although they still can not read what is on it. Benjamin reads the single commandment left on the wall and all of the animals realize it isn’t so strange what the pigs are doing now. Napoleon manipulating the seven commandments helps him out a lot in staying in

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When first reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm, one might assume it to be a simple narrative about Farm Animals. However, through closer analysis, you begin to see the allegorical connections and satire of the work. By drawing parallels to certain major events and individuals from the Russian Revolution, Orwell is able to provide a political commentary about the harsh conditions caused by the Revolution. In George Orwell 's Animal Farm, he uses Napoleon, Snowball, and Mr. Jones to show the allegorical connections, as well as its satirical motives.

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The pigs took away rights and lives of their own citizens as did the Soviet’s, which helps teach what the book was trying to show that when these political figures gain such power, that they should not use it to only their advantage but to everyone’s. This can be represented at the end of the book when Napoleon has a meeting with humans and starts to resemble the humans exactly. This is because Napoleon used his power for his own well-being like the humans and eventually resembled one. “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” pg.124 The image of the pigs appearance is tarnished by the way the pig treated his citizen as did Stalin.

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The Epitome of Corrupt Government Oppression is the essential tool in every tyrant’s belt from which he rules. To look the other way, and pretend that nothing happened, leads to power-hungry pigs taking advantage of the surrounding animals. Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, reviews the lives of regular farm animals that decide to overthrow their neglectful and abusive caretaker, Farmer Jones. As the animals embrace the revolution, they establish their own “government”, which is governed by pigs, prominently Napoleon. In the beginning, all animals are considered to be equal and comply with the original principles of their government system Animalism (an allegory for Communism), but as time progresses this philosophy does not stay concurrent.

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The first technique, satire, is displayed throughout the book. This makes the argument even more interesting. The satirical element is shown through the use of mockery towards the working class and the ruling class. One instance of mockery on the working class is conveyed when the most loyal and hard working animal, Boxer the horse, had collapsed and was immediately sent to the slaughterhouse. The animals had seen Boxer being sent to a van that clearly stated “Alfred Sims Slaughter house,” however, the pigs responded by telling the animals that Boxer was being sent to a surgeon, and that the surgeon had forgotten to paint the van once he had bought it.

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Do you not understand what that means? They are taking Boxer to the knacker’s!’ A cry of horror burst from all the animals” (Orwell 122). In a way, Boxer represents the dedicated communist supporters who eventually get tricked by their tyrant of a leader, Stalin, or in this case, Napoleon the pig. From the very beginning of the Revolution to now, Boxer had become and stayed a hardworking, strong horse who was dedicated and believed in the Animal Farm and the

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