Introduction

In the Soviet Union nations, there were several differences regarding the best political and economic philosophies that could be used to yield the best outcomes. Some believed in socialism where the government regulated a nation’s economic systems while others believed in capitalism, where private institutions operate the nation’s economic production. The analysis of the book “Animal Farm” by George Orwell in terms of its summary, the themes, personality traits of the characters, and its symbolism will help us to understand these aspects in details.

Summary of the book

The book by George Orwell, “Animal Farm” reflects on the events that occurred in Russia, and it begins with the drunken Mr. Jones, the owner of the Manor Farm, who goes to sleep. An old boar, which the animals believed to be wise, calls for a meeting so that he could tell the animals about his dream. When the animals assemble, the boar, Old Major, begins by describing his dream to the animals, where he saw an era where all the animals were free from the bondage of human beingswho could not do without the animals despite the fact that they did not appreciate the efforts made by the animals. In addition, Major taught the animals, which included pigs, cows, chicken as well as horses, a song that depicted their move for revolution. After the meeting, Old Major died, two pigs, Snowball, and Napoleon, decides to take over and lead the animals as per the philosophy of Animalism that had been initiated by Old Major. The two pigs focus at proving themselves to the rest of the animals as the master planners of the dangerous move by taking full responsibility and strategizing on how to take over the farm. Jones and his men fail to feed the animals, and the animals take the opportunity to attack and drive away the drunken and irresponsible farmer and his people from the farm. With the new management of the farm in place, the animals rename the farm to “Animal Farm” from the “Manor Farm.” Consequently, the animals set up seven commandments to govern them, with the greatest of them all stating that all the animals were equal. Everything in the farm was running perfectly with plenty food available after completing the harvest, and meetings summoned every Sunday to discuss the farm policies (Orwell, 4). Because of their intelligence, the pigs assumed leadership in the farm with Snowball teaching the animals how to read and write while Napoleon taught young puppies about the Commandments of Animalism. Unfortunately, this bond between the two pigs was broken when Snowball proposed that a windmill should be constructed on the farm, to ease the work done by the animals (George, n.p). Snowball seemed to take a bigger portion of the leadership because prior to these plans of the windmill; he had he plotted against Snowball by claiming that he had stolen the idea from him. Subsequently, he summoned his dogs to chase away Snowball from the farm and proclaimed the leadership as the new ruler. The principles set by the animals are then seen to be broken one at a time beginning with the major one, as the pigs continue to view themselves as equal and start taking positions of leadership. Napoleon alters the Sunday meetings into a committee of pigs who lead the animals and uses a young pig, Squealer to convince the animals about his ‘positive’ dream for the future. At one time when the storms brought down the windmill, Squealer convinced the animals that Snowball was responsible for the collapse as he was trying to sabotage their projects. Using Snowball as the scapegoat, Napoleon uses his dogs to kill the animals that opposed him claiming they were collaborating with Snowball and convinced them that they are better off under his rule than under Jones. More also, he altered the revolutionary song into an anthem that glorified him, encouraging his fellow pigs to adapt the human behaviors and lifestyle. Meanwhile, Frederick, a neighboring farmer purchases timber from Napoleon using fake banknotes and attacks the animals but is eventually defeated. During this period, the windmill is destroyed and Boxer, the workhorse, offers to rebuild it, but he collapses out of exhaustion, and Napoleon sells him to a knacker. Napoleon expands the farm by purchasing more land from a neighbor, Pilkington, as the pigs start to dress and walk upright like humans. Consequently, the seven commandments are reduced to one principle that “All the animals are equal, but some animals are equal than other” (Orwell, 51-52). Napoleon invites Pilkington to play a game of cards as the other animals watch from the window, making it difficult to differentiate the pigs from the humans.

Major characters and their personality traits

“Napoleon was a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar” (Orwell, 6). While, on the other hand, Snowball is the rival and the original head of the farm after overthrowing Jones. Napoleon takes advantage of the intelligence and articulate thinking of Snowball but hates him because he cannot easily manipulate Snowball, who is always open to new ideas. Snowball is the animal that plays by what Old Major purposed as he wishes to make the lives of the animals better intellectually, morally as well as physically. As such, he engages the animals in an educative environment as he influences some level of literacy in them by painting the seven commandments on the barn walls and teaching the animals how to read them. Through such lessonsUsing his heightened intellect, he In addition, Snowball displays more of his heightened intellect when he strategizes the rebellion. He thinks fast and makes the effort to ensure that what he focuses on is accomplished.

Through educating the animals and helping them to form a successful rebellion again the human masters, Snowball displays his love for this society of animals and his commitment to trying to make their lives better. Snowball also organizes and summons committee meetings to discuss the welfare of the animals (Orwell, 8). His nobility is also evident when he proposes the need for a windmill that will help to generate electricity and make the work of animals easier as well as give them more leisure time. ies that he takes advantage of his physical appearance to rule the people with terror (6). It is logical to excuse the tyrannical rule by Mr. Jones because he was a drunk who behaved irresponsibly. However, Napoleon only had the hunger for power and his tyrannical rule was against the principles established in the animal; after all he was also an animal, who should have had equal treatment. He does not show m

Themes

Corruption: In this novel, we see that in both the historical and fictional approaches, the less powerful characters (Trotsky and snowball) are expelled from the evolutional state by the malicious usurper of power (Stalin and Napoleon). Stalin’s dictatorial rule and the abandonment of the core principles of the Russian Revolution are presented by the pigs turn to violent government. Corruption is also evidenced by the gradual disintegration and perversion of the seven commandments. The novel criticizes the violence of the Stalinist regime against the people it ruled and

The societal tendency towards class stratification: T

The danger of a native working class: Orwell brings out clearly how situations of oppression arise not only from the tactics of the oppressors, but also from the ignorance of the oppressed. For example,.” Hence, the novel brings out clearly adverse effects of the inability or unwillingness to question authority, which suppresses the working class like it, is oppressed by the ruling class.

Symbolism

Orwell uses symbolism throughout the novel to show the struggles that were there in Russia. As such, the Old Major’s dream of revolution and freedom for the animals symbolizes Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto and the dreams of the revolutionary leader from Russia, Vladimir Ilych. Moreover, the fall of Mr. Jones depicts the overthrowing of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia (Mayes, 32). The aspect of the windmill show struggles that the people went through while trying expanding communism, while the battle of the Windmill represent the World War II fought. Napoleon symbolizes an evil character as he used force and devised treacherous methods to fight his counterpart, Snowball. He represents the leadership of Joseph Stalin by using attack dogs as a military force in intimidating the rest of the animals and killing those who opposed him in order to remain in power. On the other hand, Snowball is the first to assume leadership after overthrowing Jones and he strongly stand up against Napoleon because he is not easily persuaded to concur with him. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky by displaying his intelligence, passion, eloquence and distant from any devious behaviors; contrary to Napoleon (Mayes, 32). As such, Snowball wins the trust of the other animals that become loyal to him and help him to strengthen his leadership base. Orwell also uses the character of Mr. Frederick to symbolize Adolf Hitler, who acted as untrustworthy neighbor as he attacks the farm even after dealing with them unfairly when purchasing the timber.

The author of this book condemn the huge corruption levels in Stalin’s era (Pyle, n.p). He was seeking to level the escalated fears among the people concerning the animosity of the Nazis. Spending time in England made Orwell believe that the socialism was the only thing that could be used to end poverty in the nation

Conclusion

As much as fairness in leadership is the best aspect of any society, most of the leadership is corrupted and aspects of the dictatorial ship

Works Cited

George, O. “Animal Farm: At a Glance | CliffsNotes.” CliffsNotes Study Guides | Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help | Written by Teachers. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2015.

Pyle, Steve. “The Antigonish Review.” Internet Archive: Wayback Machine. N.p., 23 Feb. 1999. Web. 7 May 2015. <http://web.archive.org/web/20070108225314/http://www.antigonishreview.com/bi-111/111-pyle.html>.

Orwell, George. Animal farm: a fairy story. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.

Mayes, Eve. “The language of comparison.” (2012): 32.

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How does George Orwell use satire in “Animal Farm”? Write an essay answering the question. Support your ideas with relevant arguments and examples. List 2-3 sources in the references.