S. C. P. Weerasinghe
George Orwell’s Animal Farm and it’s depiction of post-revolution Soviet Russia
Animal farm is a dystopian novel by George Orwell. Although disguised as a story of animals living in a farm, this story actually reflects the political situation in Russia, starting from the era of Tsar Nicholas, right through to the era of Joseph Stalin.
Author clearly uses a series of metaphorical events and characters to portray how after a revolution fuelled by oppressed public, dictatorship and totals emerge due to the leaders acting in their own interests, therefore defeating the most fundamental purpose of socialism.
The story begins when Mr Jones was still in charge of the farm. He works the animals hard, and feed them …show more content…
After his death, Snowball and Napoleon, two young pigs take up the responsibility of the upcoming revolution. After several events leading up to a final battle, Mr Jones flees the farm taking his wife with him. Then the animals, ecstatic with their new found freedom and power, proceed to establish ‘Animalism’ in the farm. If we looked at this early part of the story analytically, we can clearly see that the author has attempted in no way to hide what he’s intending to express; in fact, he has clearly explained the Russian revolution using animal characters. Its obvious that Old Major represents Leon Trotsky with his philosophy, while Snowball and Napoleon represent Vladimir Lenin and Joseph …show more content…
Animals were facing new challenges as there were quite a lot of jobs that only a human could do, but they eventually manage with the wit of the pigs. Soon animals realised they were working even harder than they used to when Mr Jones was in charge, but the simple fact that they were free from the oppressing humans kept them happy. They were still underfed, but their sense of freedom stood ahead. As the life in the farm goes on this way, animals start to notice that the pigs were gradually starting to enjoy the luxuries of Mr Jones’ house, against which they have pledged right after the revolution. Of course, when the animals inquired about this, they got the explanation that the pigs were doing this for the well being of the animals and their philosophy, animalism. Here we can see elements of bureaucracy being introduced to the system. These elements soon pave way to a dictatorship when Napoleon spreads bad rumours about Snowball, blackening his name to the point of him running away from the farm. This leaves Napoleon in charge, who establishes an autocracy, assuming a superior position from the animals, with specially trained fierce dogs to keep the animals away from him. He carefully but cleverly alters the sacred rules, or commandments animals have established. He even comes to trade agreements with other