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Farm As An Allegory In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Decent Essays

a. Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is an allegory due to the usage of the concept of animals on a farm, which is usually a lighthearted subject, being used to reflect the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917. The events in the story also reflect on the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. In the beginning of the story, the Major, whom is an old middle white boar, encourages the other animals to start a rebellion. He wanted to kick out the owner of the farm, Mr. Jones, so that animals may instead rule the farm. “Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labor is stolen from us by human beings. There, comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summed up in a single word--Man. Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.” This statement was mentioned by Old Major, who was the leader of Manor Farm, to convince the other animals that there should be a change. This eventually led to the Rebellion. In this quote, human beings represent communists, while the animals represent the working class citizens, and everyone affected by communism. In this story, Orwell was able to use animal characters to depict his message. He was able to convey a serious matter, in a less harsh way.
b. Orwell uses pathos and logos to persuade the readers that communism was the wrong way in which to rule. An example of the appeal to emotions is evident in the following quote, “Comrades, comrades!" they shouted. "Don't take your own brother to his death!" But the stupid brutes, too ignorant to realize what was happening, merely set back their ears and quickened their pace.
Boxer's face did not reappear at the window.” This passage from the story is emotional and sad due to the fact that Boxers own brethren were blindly taking him to his own death, too ignorant to realize the wrongful act they’re committing. "Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.” This quote from the story explains how man doesn’t produce, and yet

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