The book "Animal Farm" by George Orwell brings the serious tone of the Russian Revolution and WWII into a humorous book about farm animals. Find the symbolisms and the keys to understanding the historical events, as well as this wonderful book's humor behind the scenes.
There are many metaphors found in George Orwell's "Animal Farm" referring to the Russian Revolution. These metaphors show change over time and how a pure dream of freedom turned into Russia's nightmare. These metaphors in the book Animal Farm provides an in-depth indirect analysis on the Russian Revolution.
In Animal Farm Mr. Jones is the master of the Manor Farm. Mr. Jones in history is actually the Russian ruler Czar Nicholas II who was the last of the Russian Czars. The hard life and poverty shortages in Russia made the middle and the low class people to slowly realize that their life is not so good.
In 1917, The Russians who was tried of the World War and tried of large food shortages finally led by the Bolsheviks took over Russian government. Little did they know that the Russian Bolsheviks was going to be no different than their former Czars and in fact they were soon to find out that history will always repeat itself on their beloved new government and their new loved leader.
The new leader the rose was “Comrade Napoleon” or otherwise known as Joseph Stalin. He used his fame and respect from the people of Russia to boost his own person welfare and his own public standing. Stalin began his rule as a righteous person paranoid of power struggles. He tried to provide for the good of the Russian people who are represented as “The Beasts of England” in the novel. Then as history proves right Stalin lost his righteous rule and abandoned the idea of socialism to become a power hungry greedy ruler.
This got Stalin and his nobles luxury and power while the common people of Russia suffered like slaves through out the seasons. Stalin's international and national political status changed drastically while the welfare of Russia became unchanged or worse. This is proven right when Orwell says “Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer--except, of course for the pigs and the dogs.”
The idea of Communism was adapted from Karl Marx. The character Old major portrays Karl Marx in the book. He invented the first idea of Animalism or other wise known as Communism. Then Lenin changed it to fit their party's needs as they rose to power. Than Stalin changed the rules to justify his rule and actions as the new “Animal Farm” or Communist Russia slowly falls under a dictatorship rule by “Napoleon” the person the “Animals” never truly elected to rule over them.
Animalism and Communism is best defined as “The doctrine of the conditions of the liberation of the proletariat.” Communism first started out as a government, which allowed all proletariat to share in the profits that they acquire from their works. This slowly decreased as Communism became more rooted in Russia as a dictatorial government.
Jones's Farm House from the book is actually Kremlin State palace in Moscow. This building was used by the Communist Congress Party to host their meetings and for official purposes. Kremlin and the Red square was used to host huge military parades in the Soviet era. Lenin's embalmed body is put on display at red square. All official proceedings of the Russian government were done at red square. Even the Czar's crowning took place at the red square. Red square was an important symbol of Soviet Russia and it's so called “reformed” government.
Red square got its name because in Russian red means beautiful and since the place had the shape of a square it was called the red square. This shows that the Animal uprising also revolved around the “Farm house” showing that the new government was no different from the old one.
The Gun and the Flag in the book Animal Farm represents the communist symbols of the hammer and sickle. The hammer and sickle started out to represent the working class of the Soviet Union. Then it turned into a symbol for the Soviet dictatorship and the reminder of the hardships of Soviet oppression. The gun and the flag also started out as a symbol for the animal's freedom then it turned out as the symbol for napoleon's oppression and rule.
While all the “beasts of England” or people of Russia was suffering the rich nobles were enjoying lavish life. This is showed as “ribbons and sugar” in the novel by George Orwell. The rich aristocrats of the Bolshevik Communist party were enjoying the riches and pleasures thrown by Stalin and his government.
Then religion was abolished from the U.S.S.R or Communist Russia. This is symbolized in the novel when the Raven Moses is banned from the farm and he never returns for a long time to the farm. The Sugar candy Mountain in the book represents Heaven and Christian and religious views. This was banned from U.S.S.R by Stalin and his government because they though it went against Stalin's propositions.
They also got rid of religion from Russia because many Russians were strict Orthodox Christians deeply rooted in the Christian religion and gave their complete obedience to religious leaders so Stalin viewed religion as an enemy and got rid of it. They used the church as propaganda and all churches that opposed were destroyed. Then as the pigs and Stalin's party became more like the old Czars, the Raven came back preaching about the Sugar Candy Mountain and religion. Then Stalin did not think that to be a threat because the Russian people were already subjected to the rule of his party and they never though the people of Russian could now make a difference or even revolt.
The book Animal Farm by George Orwell shows an inside view of Soviet governments radical changes using symbolisms. It shows how history repeats itself as time goes on. It also shows the inside corruption and damage and how anybody could become infected with the evils of the world even if it were made by the most pure and good people. The book's metaphors show inside views from both parties on their policy and how their ideas and feelings about the Russian revolution changed over time.
The crushed and hopeless people of Russia and their thoughts about their life are portrayed truly in this book. Then their hope rose as the U.S.S.R and Communist government collapsed and there rose a true government for the betterment of the people called the Federation of Russia. This gave a new hope for the Russian people and the cry “for mother Russia” became a true phrase.
why did the animals "take on" human characteristics though?
#3 by fred, Oct 25, 2007
why did the animals "take on" human characteristics though?
#4 by tiara, Nov 12, 2007
why wasn't all the characters listed ?
#5 by George, Nov 30, 2007
I think the reason why all the characters were not listed is because he is writing a analytical essay based on the overall theme of the book, not the individual characters.
#6 by john, Jan 1, 2008
thanks
#7 by mandy, Jan 3, 2008
i think it was a great book
#8 by kath, Jan 12, 2008
what is the russian revolution there ?
#9 by buchi, Jan 25, 2008
why arent all charecters listed
#10 by buchi, Jan 25, 2008
someone make a new essay report listing charecters with there representitives.
#11 by Nick, Feb 10, 2008
Thank you, that helped a lot!
#12 by giggity-giggity, Mar 4, 2008
oh!
#13 by Bibin, May 19, 2008
This is pretty good, even though not all the characters are here. The essay is in dept so thanks for the help with the project.
#14 by terry , Jun 19, 2008
what is the comparision of animalsim and communism that can be shown by the events of the revolution
#15 by Jane, Jul 12, 2008
This was a lot of help and thanks, but is the book based on the effects in England, Russia, or both??
I enjoy reading Animal Farm; it's not number one on my list of favorite books, but it was pretty good. And this site really helped me get a great start on my paper that i'm writing about this book.
Thanks a ton!!!
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