The Allegorical Critique in Orwell's Animal Farm

 The Allegorical Critique in Orwell's Animal Farm

Introduction

Animal Farm by George Orwell, published in England in 1945, ornament’s the literary world by presenting clear and concise view of totalitarianism. The novella itself employs the processes of allegory and satire to relate the overthrow of a farm managed by animals in relation to the period in Russian history just before and after the Bolshevik revolution of October 1917 and after the consolidation of power by Stalin in the Soviet Union. Located on the setting called The Manor Farm before the revolution and Animal Farm after, Orwell’s plot largely concerns the uprising against the farmer, Mr. Jones. This revolution which aims at providing animals with fair treatment and better life than they had before results to being ruled by a tyrant major who is as evil as the humans they rebel against. Together with very simple and clear storyline, Animal Farm presents many issues of power and authority, deceit and betrayal, and truth manipulation, therefore remains a relevant commentary on politics.

The Plot Overview

Animal Farm is plot-centered, which is chronological: first, Old Major who is a pig, an old one, has a vision of a world that belongs to animals that will not be controlled by humans any more. Old Major shares his concepts with the animals so they rise against Mr. Jones, and Animal Farm is created. The pigs, especially Snowball, who is a hardworking intelligent pig and Napoleon, an intelligent but selfish pig. They first begin to prosper with the farm’s new rulers, in compliance with principles named Animalism—rules that govern equality among animals. Yet as the story goes on, authority shifts towards the hoofed Napoleon more and more. He drives Snowball away, dictating the language and manipulates the animals, and gradually starts developing human behaviors. Numerous incidents reveal the aspersion of Napoleon’s power as gradually transforming into a tyrannical one, which is similar to the human oppression the animals sought to resist in SoIt. Animal oppression repeats power oppression and the final part of the novel shows the pigs becoming indistinguishable from the humans.

Themes of Corruption and Power

As is true with many works of literature, one of the main messages of Animal Farm is the effect that power has on people. Interestingly, the pigs who takeover the administration of the animal farm become corrupted and their idealism of power dies slowly. This is illustrated by Napoleon as the leaders of totalitarianism rises to power such as Joseph Stalin. At first being for the representation of equality, Napoleon’s bossing turns the course of the nation into an autocratic style. His reign is characterized by repression of any opposition, suppression of the truth, and propaganda. Changing the pigs into the tyrants that look like the humanity the replaced symbolizes Orwells depiction of revolutions selling out. The separatist writing “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” aptly sums the magnitude of social inequality Post revolution,’ the pigs especially the three of them who take over the farm thus vividly illustrates the theme of corruption prevalent all through the novel.

The Role of Propaganda

Propaganda plays a pivot2 role in Animal Farm, serving as an instrument for manipulating and controlling the animals. Squealer, the pigs' spokesperson, epitomizes the use of persuasive language and misinformation to assert and maintain authority. By constantly revising history and alarming the commandments, Squealer ensures that the animals remain compliant and supportive of Napoleon’s regime. The manipulation of language is a critical mechanism through which the pigs retain power, as it prevents the other animals from questioning the legitimacy of their rule. Orwell illustrates how those in power can distort reality to serve their own interests, reflecting the propaganda tactics employed by totalitarian regimes. The recurrent revisions of the commandments and the distortion of facts exemplify how propaganda can enforce obedience and suppress dissent, reinforcing the broader critique of authoritarian governance within the novella.

Animalism vs. Reality

Animal Farm’s initial ideals are encapsulated in the philosophy of Animalism, which advocates for a society of equality and mutual respect among all animals. However, as the pigs assume control, the principles of Animalism are systematically undermined. The gradual erosion of these ideals is depicted through various events and policies implemented by Napoleon and the other pigs. For example, the selling of Boxer, a loyal and hardworking horse, to a glue factory starkly contrasts the original promise of an egalitarian society. The pigs' increasing engagement in exclusive and self-serving behaviors further highlights the chasm between Animalism and the reality of their rule. The betrayal of the revolution’s ideals serves as a broader commentary on how noble ideologies can be corrupted by the pursuit of power, illustrating the conflict between theoretical principles and practical governance.

Allegory of the Russian Revolution

Animal Farm is known to be a well-argued satire of the revolution of the Russian October and Soviet Union under Stalin. Every single character depicted in the novel has his or her equivalent historical persons and events of this epoch. Thus Old Major is simultaneously Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin and Napoleon is Joseph Stalin. The fight between Napoleon and Snowball is the same as between Stalin and Leon Trotsky. The suppression of the whip applies or pertains to the novella form, where the pigs steadily take over the leadership of the farm, and the mood reflects the rise of a totalitarian regime in Soviet Russia. Orwell categorizes history as tragicomedy and, giving the historical actors a face of animals, comments on the failure of the revolution, its irony. The use of an allegory makes it possible for people to read the novel, wrestle with the themes of political revolutions, and the manner in which revolutionized power destroys revolutions idealism.

Conclusion

Thus, the Orwell’s Animal Farm is one of the most pertinent and long-lived anti-totalitarian satirical texts, the keys to which are the author’s aesthetic and organizational techniques. The themes of power and corruption or bright difference between this and the people’s rhetoric with propaganda of the socialist system as well as the contrasts within the novel continue to make it a valuable reflection of the politics. In tracing the equation to Russia revolution, Orwell is able to design a parable that while sited in 1984, is relevant historically and hence a critique on the reality of power and authority. This sums the novella since after overthrowing the corrupt humans, the pigs turn to be exhibit some of the similarities of humans they overthrew, so it shows a cycle of tyranny. This paper insists that Animal Farm maintains its intelligence encompassing the themes of power relations and people’s impacts outsmarting them, therefore, students and readers urgent to make thoughtful judgment regarding animal rights and value the significance of democratic principle applied to contemporary societies.