The True Meaning of Animal Farm
The True Meaning of Animal Farm Animal Farm: Is it just a simple fairy tale or really a deep political satire? Animal Farm is a fairy tale written by George Orwell. It takes place at an English farm in an unspecified time, most likely around the early or middle 1900s. The characters are talking animals, and a few humans with whom they interact. The book targets a society in which freedom is attacked. More specifically, Animal Farm targets Stalin, because the book was written around his time period, but also targets totalitarianism in general. Orwell’s political enemy is totalitarianism and is shown when Napoleon has Squealer glorify him, when Napoleon has the Commandments changed, when Napoleon feeds the animals little, but works them hard, and when Napoleon eliminates his enemies.
Squealer telling how supreme and amazing Napoleon is shows Orwell’s true political enemy being totalitarianism. Napoleon is not a very eloquent pig, but lucky for him, he has the extremely eloquent and persuasive Squealer on his side. Squealer can make any animal believe whatever he says, and Napoleon uses that to his advantage to keep control of the other animals. He convinces all of the other animals on the farm that the other pig that had been a leader, Snowball, was actually on the humans’ side originally when the farm fought for animal control. Squealer says to the other farm animals, “[Snowball] would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic leader” (Orwell 81). He is saying that not only was Snowball their enemy, but Napoleon was also valiant and heroic in the battle. Squealer glorifies Napoleon, which helps him reinforce his status as supreme leader and stay as a totalitarian leader. Orwell shows his stance against totalitarianism through Napoleon’s law changing. Napoleon changes the original Seven Commandments many times, to better reflect on the way he would like to live his life. He also uses them to control and deceive the other animals. He does this a little
Squealer telling how supreme and amazing Napoleon is shows Orwell’s true political enemy being totalitarianism. Napoleon is not a very eloquent pig, but lucky for him, he has the extremely eloquent and persuasive Squealer on his side. Squealer can make any animal believe whatever he says, and Napoleon uses that to his advantage to keep control of the other animals. He convinces all of the other animals on the farm that the other pig that had been a leader, Snowball, was actually on the humans’ side originally when the farm fought for animal control. Squealer says to the other farm animals, “[Snowball] would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic leader” (Orwell 81). He is saying that not only was Snowball their enemy, but Napoleon was also valiant and heroic in the battle. Squealer glorifies Napoleon, which helps him reinforce his status as supreme leader and stay as a totalitarian leader. Orwell shows his stance against totalitarianism through Napoleon’s law changing. Napoleon changes the original Seven Commandments many times, to better reflect on the way he would like to live his life. He also uses them to control and deceive the other animals. He does this a little