Animal farm essay

Animal Farm Essay
9-22-13

2. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Orwell writes the story as a metaphor of the Russian Revolution and Communism. Napoleon is a pig that plays the part of Joseph Stalin and refers to Communism as “Animalism.” Napoleon uses cruelty, treachery, and propaganda to twist the meaning of Animalism throughout the story to justify his rise to power and eventually turns the animal’s dream of a utopian type of life into a pig-ruled disaster. By doing this, Napoleon’s nature represents Joseph Stalin’s actions as Animal Farm is a metaphor for Communist Russia. The novel begins with Old Major, who represents Karl Marx, to rebel against Mr. Jones who represents the last Tsar of Russia. Old Major teaches them that all animals have been mistreated and underfed. Old Major’s speech inspired all of the animals to drive out Mr. Jones and take over Manor Farm. The animals honor Old Major’s speech and succeed in doing this shortly after Old Major’s passing. This was the beginning of what the animals thought to be a utopian lifestyle with no rules and working for themselves instead of human beings. At first all animals were declared equal. This slowly changed throughout the novel thanks to Napoleon. Napoleon and the rest of the pigs claimed that the pigs have the best brains, so they must supervise instead of doing the dirty work. The pigs also tricked the other animals into believing the pigs having more food ration because they deserved it more than the others. As ridiculous as it sounds, the other animals agreed and did not protest. This was the beginning of Napoleon’s brainwashing strategy. Napoleon’s next plot was to get rid of Snowball, who represents Leo Trotsky, and trick the other animals into thinking he was the enemy. The two pigs rarely agreed on anything, and Napoleon saw Snowball as the biggest threat to his plan. Napoleon raised nine of the dogs born on the farm into vicious guard dogs and chased Snowball off the farm. Snowball was never seen again. Napoleon then claimed Snowball’s windmill idea as his own. With Snowball out of the way, Napoleon’s plan for take over was in full swing. Slowly but surely, the pigs took control. They woke up an hour later than the other animals without any real reason. Napoleon and his crew tweaked the “Seven Commandments” in favor of the pigs. They slept in human beds, which was forbidden; Napoleon and the pigs tweaked the rule by stating “No animal shall sleep in a human bed with sheets.” That was one of many human traits the pigs started taking advantage of. The pigs also began drinking alcohol, stating that “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.” The pigs were the only animals allowed inside the farmhouse, which at first was also forbidden in the beginning. Things got out of hand when a vicious storm hit Animal Farm and destroyed the lighthouse. Napoleon convinced the whole farm that Snowball and came back and destroyed it. Napoleon ordered that the walls of the windmill be thicker, and the process of rebuilding the windmill began. The living conditions became worse, but Napoleon’s dictatorship only grew stronger. He rarely appeared in public. When he did appear, his guard dogs, who represent the police, were with him to protect him from any threats. Napoleon then tweaks another commandment: Stating “No animal should kill another animal without reason.” During the winter, food was more scarce than usual. Napoleon ordered that the hens give up their eggs as food. The hens were not happy about this. They attempted their own rebellion, and in return Napoleon ordered that any animal that feeds a hen will be executed. The animal killing spree continued from there. Napoleon murdered many animals that were plotting with Snowball. Many animals confessed themselves knowing the punishment was death. Afterwards, many animals questioned Napoleon and his ideas. The animals thought they would be more happy and free. All the animals refused to say anything because Napoleon always told them “You don’t want Jones to come back, do you?” That statement was enough to keep the animals in check. The years past, and Napoleon’s power grew stronger. He claimed himself as the hero of the two battles against the humans. He even named the windmill “Napoleon windmill.” None of the animals protested. More animals were slaughtered for plotting with Snowball, but no animal protested. Napoleon was at the peak of control. Everything he says went according to his plan. In the end, Napoleon shocks the whole farm. The pigs are found walking around on two legs. This breaks the most important rule and the Farm’s motto: “four legs good, two legs bad.” The pigs then negotiate with human beings, who are declared the enemy throughout the novel. Napoleon changes the name back to Manor Farm, which was the original farm named by Mr. Jones. In the very end, the pigs are found arguing with the humans inside the farmhouse “Pig to human, Human to pig, but it was hard to tell which was which.” Napoleon’s nature is equal to that of Joseph Stalin. He uses propaganda as his main tool to brainwash the minds of the other animals for his own power just like Stalin did.