Animal Farm Allegory and Historical References

What is an Allegory? From the Greek word “Allegorein” which means to speak as if to imply something else. Therefore, allegories can be looked at on many different levels. Literal meaning Political satire Beast fable

So a simple story now becomes: A moral warning about the abuses of power; A story of disillusionment with the Russian Revolution; An exposure of Stalin's evils; A fable of human strengths and weaknesses.

Author George Orwell Wrote the novel for the following reasons:  He was a democratic socialist  He was disgusted by Stalin’s betrayal of the ideals of the Russian Revolution  He wanted to teach us:  Power corrupts;  Revolutions come full circle and devour their people;  Even good people are vulnerable to power hungry leaders if they don’t question what they’re told.

Key contributors to the Soviet Union Karl Marx Bolsheviks Josef Stalin Leon Trotsky Proletariat Propaganda Church KGB

Farmer Jones is Czar Nicholas II Last Ruler of Russia prior to revolution. Forced to give up the throne after revolution. Represents the evils of laziness and Capitalism, and the human decline under such a system.

Karl Marx is Old Major Basis of Communism Wrote a book in the 19 th century entitled “Communist Manifesto” Dreamed of abolishing class distinctions and redistributing wealth to all people. Belief that a utopian society could be created based on equality and shared work. Both served as founders of the revolution and die prior to seeing the outcome of their predictions.

The Pigs are the Bolsheviks  Russians: largely peasants with some formal education  on an intellectual level, this population embraces the Revolution enthusiastically because of the promise of food and work  Bolsheviks (or "the Majority") were an organization of revolutionaries who considered themselves as a vanguard of the revolutionary proletariat.  Began by fighting for the rights and welfare of the common people.  As time passed they took advantage of their status as leaders.

Clover and Boxer are the Proletariat  Poor Russian populace with little to no formal education  Unskilled labor force  Believe that they will profit most from the revolution.  Eventually betrayed by the State.

The Dogs are the KGB  The KGB come to be regarded with great fear by the Russians was responsible for repression during the Stalinist era  conducted mass executions, ran the Gulag system of forced labor, and enforced Stalinist policy within Communist movements in other countries  Remained loyal to Stalin.  Used to create a climate of fear within the state.

Snowball is Leon Trotsky  an intellectual and Lenin’s “right hand” man  much more practical than Lenin, more aware of the daily struggles of the population  conceives of the notion of the Five Year Plan that Stalin later adopts  Eventually banned and used as representation of the evils of capitalism.

Squeaker is Propaganda  Posters, Newspapers, Pamphlets  Pravda was well-known in the West for its pronouncements as the official voice of Soviet Communism  Always pro-Communist.

Moses is the Russian Orthodox Church  under Marxism, the “church” has no official role  Marx comments that “Religion is the opiate of the Masses.”  Allowed because it keeps citizens under control.

Finally...

Napoleon is Josef Stalin  totalitarian ruler of Russia after Lenin  iron-fisted dictator  Corrupt, kills all who oppose him.  Alters basic political beliefs for his benefit  Eventually becomes the type of leader he always claimed were evil.

Plot Parallels October Revolution 1917 = Animals' Rebellion Trotsky's emphasis on heavy industry = Building the windmill Stalin's emphasis on agriculture = windmill destruction Kronstadt Rebellion = Hen's rebellion Trotsky's exile = Snowball's defeat Purge trial =confessions and executions of animals Nazi-Soviet Pact = Peace with Fredrick Nazi invasion = Fredrick battle