Period 3
5/21/08
English Final
The Mind of George Orwell
“Animal Farm is one of the most readily misinterpreted novels of the twentieth century” (Fitzpatrick 1998). Many authors write books with a variety of themes and more than one motive, and many readers are unable to determine these separate reasons. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is the story of a farm that is run by a corrupt farmer who abuses his animals. The animals rebel and take control of the farm, and the more intelligent of the animals, the pigs, take charge of things and run the farm however they want to. Animal Farm has many different themes and morals to the story that really depict many different views on politics and life. The book’s themes target the problems of the world such as the relation of animals to politicians, the effect of communism on society, and how the weak parasite off of the strong.
Firstly, one of the great comparisons made in Animal Farm is the connection of politicians and pigs. In Animal Farm, the pigs represent power-hungry politicians, and the other farm animals represent the working class. The pigs are a great example of how politicians manipulate people with strong words and can make the people to do what they want. Napoleon, the head pig, is a perfect example of a corrupted leader who does not think for his people, or in this case, his animals. Napoleon gains complete control of the animals through fear by using his guard dogs to threaten their lives (Orwell), which is a clear way to show how politicians are corrupt. In countries such as Russia, the leader of the country uses military power to keep his people in order; however, is that the right way to care for the people? Squealer, the second in command, is another clear example of a politician in a corrupt system. Squealer uses his verbal power and superior vocabulary to trick the other animals and convince them to do what Napoleon had planned. Many politicians gain the support of the citizens by manipulating the crowds with speeches, which is exactly what Squealer did. “Squealer’s name also fits him well: squealing, of course, refers to a pig’s typical form of vocalization, and Squealer’s speech defines him. At the same time, to squeal also means to betray, aptly evoking Squealer’s behavior with regard to his fellow animals”(Schorer 16). The pigs tricked the animals the same way that Orwell felt politicians tricked people.
Secondly, another theme or idea that Animal Farm covers is the effect of communism on society. The book clearly shows that communism is a flawed system that benefits the leader, but not the people. One thing that Kathleen Fitzpatrick gained from reading the book was “George Orwell thought communism was bad” (Fitzpatrick 1998). In the story, the pigs governed the farm animals, and, at first, the system that they are run by seemed to be fair for everyone. The way that they governed themselves represented communism. All the animals had to work equally hard, they all received the same rations of food, and they all slept in the same area; however, there was one problem-Napoleon and the other pigs did not work- and the animals were unaware of it. Boxer began to do more work than he needed to, and Napoleon and the other pigs lived in luxury while the other animals worked and starved (Orwell). This showed the problems in communism, and as Robert A. Lee says, Orwell was “painting a grim picture of the human condition in the political twentieth century, a time which he, [Orwell], has come to believe marks the end of the very concepts of human freedom” (Fitzpatrick 1998). George Orwell believed that communism took away human freedom and only benefited the leader.
Finally, another strong theme from the book is politicians live as parasites and feed off of the innocent working class. The strong and innocent are taken advantage of by the weak but cunning. In Animal Farm, the farm’s government is built for the benefit of the pigs only. Although the other animals, such as Boxer, are much more hard working and physically stronger, they believe in Napoleon and Squealer who take advantage of them. The situation of Napoleon, a pig, controlling Boxer, a strong horse, is a perfect example of political leaders taking advantage of the working class in a communist environment. George Orwell once said at an interview
“… a little boy, perhaps ten years old, driving a huge cart-horse along a narrow path, whipping it whenever it tried to turn. It struck me that if only such [strong] animals became aware of their strength, we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the proletariat” (Jones 127).
This quote shows that George Orwell believed that the poor working class was like the innocent animals on the farm, and the powerful leaders or politicians were like pigs that took advantage of a perfect farm and ruined the animals’ lives.
Animal Farm’s strong themes and ideas can really teach life lessons to students, although it is thought of as “one of the most studied and most readily misinterpreted novels of the twentieth century” (Fitzpatrick 1998). The novel ensures that future leaders do not make the same mistakes that are shown in the novel, and through this novel we can learn of how communism effects society, and although the common people have power, the power is often used by the wrong people. The pigs in the book failed to provide good lives for the animals of the farm, and in the same way, leaders of communist societies have failed to provide good lives for their people. Like the animals of the farm, today, we are stuck in a world where by using others, only a select few benefit.
Bibliography
1.) Fitzpatrick, Kathleen. "An Overview of Animal Farm." Literary Resource Center. 4
June 2008
2.) Jones, Myrddin. "Orwell, Wells and the Animal Fable." Literary Resource Center.
4 June 2008
3.) Schorer, Mark. "An Indignant and Prophetic Novel." Literary Resrouce Center (New
York Times Book Review). 4 June 2008
4.) Unknown. "Analysis of Major Characters." SparkNotes. 4 June 2008
