Power And Corruption In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Orwell effectively conveys the rise of communism in Russia throughout the book Animal Farm by the accurate elucidation of the context in the Soviet Union from 1917-1945. Orwell’s attitude and political view towards Russia is evident in his representation of the farm animals on Communist Party leaders: Napoleon and Snowball, for example, are figurations of Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky, respectively. He expresses the anthropomorphic characters of farm animals, and major events in Animal Farm such as the Rebellion and the construction of the windmill, reminiscent of the Russian Revolution and the “Five-Year Plans”. Orwell also uses many techniques to describe the crucial points in Animal Farm by metaphoric language and allegorical means

Have you ever heard about the Russian Revolution and other important events of Russia? George Orwell, amazing author, published a novel in 1947, called Animal Farm, that intelligently satirized animals in a farm to the events that occurred during the Russian Revolution and the events surrounding the Russian Revolution. Through the character Napoleon and his use of terror and propaganda on the citizens of the Animal Farm, George Orwell castigates mad dictator Joseph Stalin and his reign on Russia.

In George Orwell’s famous novel animal farm Orwell’s views on Power leadership corruption, lies and deceit, and violence are shown through the novel Animal Farm and is a clear allegory for the Russian Revolution.

Throughout George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Orwell creates valid criticisms about Communism and Stalinism by using an understandable plot. It is critical that the reader has knowledge about the Russian Revolution in order to understand some of the criticisms which are being made throughout Animal Farm. This book insists upon the truth, which was most difficult for people during this time period. Orwell brings up understandable points about power and humanity during this time period. Orwell is able to use many rhetorical devices in order to reveal these unpalatable truths.

George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ is the story of the animals on ‘Manor Farm’ uprising and taking over to create an equal society within the farm. Napoleon, the self appointed leader of the farm uses manipulation and relies on the naivety of the other animals, in order to take full control of the farm. ‘Animal Farm’ is an allegory of the Russian Revolution which George Orwell displays through his novel ‘Animal Farm’. Throughout the novel George Orwell demonstrates the themes hypocrisy, dominance and manipulation.

The literary devices employed in the text places it on the adults’ shelve. The use of literary devices such as satire, metaphor, dramatic irony, symbolism and so on are profound in the text. One needs to scrutinize the text in order to unveil Orwell’s literary knowledge.

Animal Farm, by George Orwell was published in 1945, a crucial time in history because of Stalin’s takeover of the Soviet Union and his exploitation of the centralized communist government. This was in direct contradiction to the expected results of the Russian Revolution. Orwell felt that revolutions fail because the end result is a change of tyrants and not of government. Orwell exemplifies this failure through the goals of the revolution and their failure to meet them, the malfunction of Napoleon and Snowball’s rule together, and Napoleon’s disastrous reign.

Power can have the persuasive action in undoing the moral ethics of one’s character. This can be seen throughout history, such as World War II and proven by the actions of Napoleon in the allegory, Animal Farm, by George Orwell. As Lord Acton said “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In history what was viewed as a villain or wrong doer is never the same as the perception. A leader does not begin wanting to do wrong, they start with the best intentions, but power is a tricky thing, showcased in Animal Farm as Utopian ideals but with failed practices.

George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is a great example of allegory and political satire. The novel was written to criticize totalitarian regimes and particularly Stalin's corrupt rule in Russia. In the first chapter Orwell gives his reasons for writing the story and what he hopes it will accomplish. It also gives reference to the farm and how it relates to the conflicts of the Russian revolution. The characters, settings, and the plot were written to describe the social upheaval during that period of time and also to prove that the good nature of true communism can be turned into something atrocious by an idea as simple as greed. This essay will cover the comparisons between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution. It will also explain why

Throughout the book of Animal Farm the theme of leadership and corruption is continuous. The animal’s who have the biggest part in both of these major themes are the pigs. Napoleon, for example, takes over as the leader in the beginning of the book and later his leadership methods turn corruptive.

The comparison of animals and the Soviet Union is what brings together an intellectual fable about socialism and the abuse of power. “The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level” (Norman Mailer). In George Orwell’s symbolic fable “Animal Farm”, a group of animals plan to start a rebellion in order to form their own way of living, instead of being brought to live under equal conditions. The idea of socialism and the abuse of power is heavily portrayed throughout this fable. The fable was written on August 17th, 1945, which was during a relentless and socialist era.

Orwell uses language in the italicized sections to contribute to the overall irony, which is “Animal Farm”; glorious revolution does not change much in the lives of animals, and in fact leaves them worse off in many ways. This tale about corruption of power; is an allegory to the Russian revolution which is still as apt in the twenty-first century. Through Orwells’ use of verbal, dramatic and situational irony, we see the complete tyranny and destruction caused.

Of the golden future time, this is the final verse in the song that sparks the revolution in George Orwell’s allegory Animal Farm. The novella critiques the history of the Russian revolution. The theme of corruption in Animal Farm is refined though the pigs’ modification of the commandments and the abuse of language to benefit themselves, just as the distribution of food and labor hours; similarly this strengthens the corollary between Communism and Animalism. Animalism is a Communist philosophy that states that all of the “animals are equal” and that sharing equally in both the responsibilities and rewards of the farm is fair (Orwell 6). The principles of Animalism espoused by Old Major in his speech at the meeting, are provisional; hence,

Finally, Orwell uses different stylistic elements to enhance elements of manipulation in the story. George Orwell uses dramatic irony to show the impact manipulation has on the animals. Boxer gets hurt and is being taken to the horse slaughterer. Squealer reassures the animals that Boxer is just going to the hospital to heal and will return back to Animal Farm healthier than ever shortly. This dramatic irony is being used to ‘manipulate’ the other animals. Since Squealer is a pig, he is already raked above the others and given absolute power. It turns out that Boxer was in fact taken to a “Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler.” However, the other animals could not comprehend this due to their lack of literacy skills. Next, Orwell uses verbal irony to enhance the way manipulation is portrayed in the story. All animals are given certain rules that they are required to follow in the beginning/making of Animal Farm. For example, on the first day of Animal Farm, one of the rules they were given was “No animal shall sleep in a bed.”

Corruption of power happens often, from political standpoint to a simple business. In the story, the animals were gathered together by Old Major to rebel against humanity, who had abused their powers over animals. Old Major help implant the idea of rebellion that will happen soon. The animals are given the realization that they were not being treated equally as the humans and the pigs, the smartest animals, start planning a rebellion against humanity. In Animal Farm, George Orwell asserts the idea that absolute power results in corruption. Napoleon and the other pigs, interested in remain superior, persuade the other animals by using intimidation and emotional appeal in order to keep control of the gullible animals.