Similarities Between Russian Revolution And Animal Farm

Chris Tran November 17, 2008 Period 3

Animal Farm Animal Farm by George Orwell is an exploration of the Russian Revolution in context of animals running a farm. George Orwell, a strong socialist, wrote the novel as a reflection of dictatorships of the Soviet Union, disgusted by his “disillusionment with Communism” (Animal Farm). In the beginning of Animal Farm, Old Major, a pig that represents Karl Marx, gives a speech convincing the farm animals to overthrow Mr. Jones, who does no work yet reaps all the benefits of the animals. The animals overthrow Mr. Jones in hopes of creating a socialist society where the animals worked for themselves instead of others. Although the first year after the rebellion ends successfully, it quickly makes a turn for worse under the merciless rule of Napoleon the pig. With each event in Animal Farm, it becomes
more apparent that there are clear connections between what was becoming of Animal Farm under the pigs and the Soviet Union under Stalin.
There are many parallels between the characters in Animal Farm and important figures during the Russian Revolution. Old Major can be linked with Karl Marx through their speeches. Old Major’s speech preached the overthrow of Mr. Jones and the creation of an egalitarian society; likewise, Marx’s Communist Manifesto preached the overthrow of the bourgeoisie and the creation of a socialist society. Marx’s and Major’s similar roles in each of their revolutions and their speeches present a clear parallel between the two. After the death of Old Major comes the rule of Snowball and Napoleon. Napoleon represents Stalin because of his corrupt rule and ruthlessness. He commenced trading with Frederick and Whymper although one of the rules of
Animalism was “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy” (Orwell 17). Napoleon also brainwashed the sheep to use as propaganda to enforce his power. Stalin began trading because industrialization led to the drop in production of agriculture. He used propaganda to support his rule and to present him as a hero. In these ways, Napoleon can be proved to represent Stalin. In the middle of the Animal Farm, Snowball is banished from Animal Farm by Napoleon’s dogs. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, and the dogs represent the KGB. Snowball’s believes in the creation of the windmill to ease the work of the animals and to provide them better living conditions. Snowball, like Trotsky, is a true socialist who is exiled so that Napoleon could rule alone. The dogs represent the KGB because they act as Napoleon’s secret police, executing animals that are a threat to Napoleon’s rule. Through the actions and ideas of the animals on Animal Farm, it is possible to connect each one of them to an individual during the Russian Revolution. Events within Animal Farm can also be associated to events under Stalin’s reign. Snowball being chased off of animal farm by the dogs represents Trotsky when he was exiled and eventually killed by Stalin’s forces. Snowball and Trotsky are expelled to solidify the rule of Napoleon and Stalin. The construction of the windmill represents Stalin’s industrialization drive. Napoleon decided on the construction of the windmill in hopes of gaining profits and becoming a successfully run farm. Stalin built steel factories in hopes of making the Soviet Union a world power. World War II is also shortly represented within the novel. Napoleon’s trade with Frederick represents Stalin’s nonaggression pact with Adolf Hitler. Hitler, betraying the pact, surprise attacked the Soviet Union; Frederick attacked Animal Farm in an attempt to overthrow Napoleon and take over. The Moscow Trials are represented by the forced confessions and executions of animals as shown by the quote: “The tale of forced confessions and executions went on; until there was a pile of corpses lying between Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood” (Orwell 59). There are many correlations between Animal Farm and the Soviet Union during Stalin’s time. In conclusion, Animal Farm by George Orwell is “an exploration and satire of the Russian Revolution” (Animal Farm Essay Assignment). The main character, Napoleon, represents Stalin because he distorts the rules of Animalism and brainwashed the farm animals. Events such as the construction of the windmill represent the industrialization of the Soviet Union, and the greediness of Napoleon. What was supposed to become a socialist society took a 180 degree turn and became an unproductive and murderous dictatorship. Important ties between the plot and characters of Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution are easily seen due to the order and similarities shared between them.