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Orwell’s 1945 novella Animal Farm is a
dystopian response to Soviet Russia in the mid-twentieth century, but with
applications far beyond its time. The animals of Manor Farm overthrow their
human owner, Mr. Jones, and take over the running of the farm with the
intention of equality and harmony. Prominent among their Seven Commandments of
Animalism is that ‘all animals are equal'. It does not take long, however,
before some wish to fill the power vacuum that remains. A power struggle ensues
between two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, often thought to represent Stalin and
Trotsky respectively. Napoleon is quick to establish his position and it
becomes apparent that any semblance of equality will not last long. Soon the
animals are working long hours with less food than previously. The pigs
separate themselves with far more provision and comfort until finally they move
into the farmhouse, signifying the replacement of one dictator with another.
Napoleon’s aptly named PR pig, Squealer,
constantly reassures the other animals that they are better off under the new
regime. Mysterious amendments to the Commandments appear but the animals are
led to believe they are merely mis-remembering the originals. Boxer’s repeated
mantra of ‘Napoleon is always right’ clearly shows the blind obedience that
will keep them down. Of course, the propaganda machine carefully controlled by
the pigs goes a long way to aid this subservience through a regime of
manipulation. Snowball’s reputation is destroyed with a series of incriminating
‘discoveries’, further reinforcing Napoleon’s position of power.
When the animals do begin to doubt that
Snowball would have betrayed them to such an extent, violence is used in order
to maintain the subservience. Despite the harsh conditions, they are comforted
by the thought that at least they are free in a way they were not under the
command of Jones. This naïve belief strikes a chord of sympathy in the reader
and anger at the injustice. The final vision of the pigs enjoying the company
of men, and the reverting back to the name of Manor Farm explicitly shows the circle
complete. The animals were tricked into believing the coup would lead to a
better quality of life and it is all too apparent that the reverse is true.
The length of this tale does not in any way diminish its power. It is clear to the reader what is happening long before the animals being to question the behaviour of the pigs. Their innocence makes their impending subjection all the more painful to witness. A perfectly crafted little book that succinctly demonstrates the power of fiction tackling politics.
The length of this tale does not in any way diminish its power. It is clear to the reader what is happening long before the animals being to question the behaviour of the pigs. Their innocence makes their impending subjection all the more painful to witness. A perfectly crafted little book that succinctly demonstrates the power of fiction tackling politics.
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