The Great Gatsby

Alexis Tripp
Mrs. McManus
C.P Senior Seminar
21 May, 2013
Allegory in Orwell’s Animal Farm
l. Introduction A. Creative Opening. When critic Laurence Brander states, “Essentially, Animal Farm is an anatomy of the development of the totalitarian state” (Brander 6). He is initially saying that Animal Farm is a basis of the Russian Revolution and the build up of the totalitarian ways that were formed during this time period.

B. Thesis Statement Which is why, in Animal Farm, Orwell utilizes Allegory to express his negative views of the Russian Revolution.

C. Game Plan This proposal will in turn be backed up by two critical points. All of Orwell’s characters in Animal farm can be categorized into one of the two points. There are the suppressors, and those who are suppressed.

` D. When understanding the work of allegory in Orwell’s Animal Farm, it is imperative to establish a better understanding of the literary term itself. According to NTC’s Dictionary of Literary Terms, allegory is, “An extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface story. The underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric” (Morner 4). Throughout the novel, Orwell utilizes allegory to show an animal story, that has a very much deeper meaning. On the surface of the story, the animals are happily taking over, however, deeper into the story lies the terrifying repercussions of a developing totalitarian state.

II. Body A. First Main Point It is clearly evident that the suppressors are a key note example of allegory. They stand as the major leaders of the Russian Revolution.

1. Evidence “Napoleon and Snowball, the pigs who are primarily responsible for this elaboration of ideas into doctrine, represent Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky, respectively” (Fitzpatrick 14).

a. During the Russian Revolution Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky were two major leaders, who were heavily involved in the totalitarian up rise. Orwell utilizes this literary term to emphasize the leadership and take over that took place during this period. Napoleon and Snowball respectively are in place to show the power and brainwashing that took place as well. They stand as the suppressors due to the fact that they completely took over, as well as, they used their power to manipulate those who had no power, or the suppressed. 2. Evidence “The elite pigs who are equivalent of the party”(Woodcock 2577).

a. Throughout the novel the pigs “take over” the farm. Throughout the Russian Revolution, many communist leaders, and those of the party “took over” as well. The transformation and up rise of this power is the cause of the trouble during this time. This also pertains to Animal Farm the idea of the animals not having a leader, and being able to be independent in their work was astonishing. However, even though the animals over took the farm, the pigs and dogs still stood the same ground, if not worse then Mr. Jones.

3. Evidence “Discipline!” the invariable cry of political gangsters who are destroying freedom and truth.” “That is the first step in the legend that Snowball is the source of all evil. The legend grows step by step with the building up of Napoleon as the leader who thought of everything and is the father of the farm”(Brander 3).

a. The build up of Napoleon was the downfall of the farm. Napoleon manipulates those around him into thinking that Snowball was the source of all evil. Like Joseph Stalin, Napoleon is notorious for undergoing plans behind everyone else’s back. For example, he raises the dogs to be his secret army, which can also be seen as the “NKVD” that Joseph Stalin administered in his reign. This build up in turn is the reasoning behind Snowballs overthrow. Behind the scenes he had prepared for the moment when Snowball would try to take over, but being that he has underground control, and power he insured that Snowball would be gone, with the dogs. Thus being the reason he becomes the father of the farm.

B. Second Main Point The animals other then the pigs and the dogs, are clearly the suppressed. They are trampled on, and taken advantage of by those who have “power”. They are practically brainwashed by the power of the suppressors.

1. Evidence “The most darkly pessimistic aspect of Animal Farm is that the animals are unable to recognize their new oppression, much less combat it” (Lee 2).

a. It’s evident that the animals that aren’t the pigs or the dogs are the ones who take the brunt end of the deal. Those in charge have pounded the idea of “humans are the enemy”, that they have become oblivious that their leaders are exactly like humans. They take advantage of their every aspect of life, as did those who were involved in the Russian Revolution. At the time, the suppressed thought the “idea” of totalitarian state sounded beneficial. However, their leaders had a wonderful way with words, which in turn they used against their followers.

2. Evidence “Is it not crystal clear then, comrades, that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings” (Orwell 10).

a. This quote from the book is a key example of when the brainwashing started. As are most, the animals are easily influenced by someone they admire. Old Major, was looked up to on the farm. Thus being said, the animals are going to believe in what he says, and want to utilize his knowledge and wisdom to create the best environment for themselves and the farm.

3. Evidence

“Thanks to the leadership of comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes” (Orwell 103).

a. As the brainwashing continues throughout the book, the animals start to believe that everything good in their life is because of “Napoleon” and his “leadership”. This has a huge connection to the Russian Revolution, because the major leaders during this time used their power to influence those around them in believing anything and everything that they said. They would use every technique possible to influence their follower’s thoughts. For example, extra food, money, and other valued items.This is the same technique used by the pigs, and dogs.

III Conclusion

A. Thesis Statement Orwell emphasizes the negative affects of the Russian Revolution through allegory throughout the novel Animal Farm.

B. Wrap up Orwell definitely emphasizes the role play of “the suppressors” and those who are “suppressed” throughout this novel. There are many examples that back up these two points, as well as connect them to the Russian Revolution. The pigs utilizing their power to manipulate those around them, as well as to take complete control of all aspects, and then transform into the exact thing that were against, humans. The suppressed, or the rest of the animals, are easily influenced by the pigs, and their mindless talking, they soon become so in tune with the idea that Napoleon is great, that they can’t even fight their own battles, or even defend themselves when needed.

C. Creative Close “Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character; it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint” (Lepham).