More handpicked essays just for you.
The use of symbolism in animal farm by George Orwell
Symbolic political exploitation in George Orwell's Animal Farm
Leadership and corruption in animal farms
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The use of symbolism in animal farm by George Orwell
George Orwell's short novel, Animal Farm, is a symbol of when the human race is subverted by animals, and everything that the animals changed is corrupted by the humans once again. In Animal Farm, Orwell's last line in the novel displays the power that was thirsted by the ruthless pigs on the farm, as well as the humans in the short-story.
First and foremost, in Animal Farm written by George Orwell, the last line in the short-story presents the remorseless pigs taking control on the farm with a crave for power; the same power that the humans wanted as well. The human race, in all honesty, is a detestation in which no one, including animals, cannot escape the fact that humans won't perish as the years go on. The animals in Animal Farm, not
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ("Abraham Lincoln Quote"). Lord Acton also said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (“Lord Acton Quotes”). Both of the quotes show that power is not always a good thing, and can sometimes make good people, do bad things. Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novella about animals rebelling against humans on a farm in England. The novella has been said to be directly related to the Russian Revolution of the early 20th century. Immediately after the animals gained power, the pigs took over as the leaders of the animals. The pigs became corrupt with the power, and may have made conditions worse than they were with humans
Absolute power leads to the corruption of government. In Animal Farm, when a group of mistreated animals rebels against their cruel farm owner, two intelligent pigs on the farm take it upon themselves to lead the animals jointly. However, due to the animals' greedy co-leader Napoleon who dominates that power, the pigs' leadership turns into a corrupt power-hungry government that causes the entire farm system to collapse. In order to secure a life of luxury for Napoleon and his fellow pigs, Napoleon (with Squealer as his spokesman)uses language that intimidates, language that distorts the truth, and language that appeals to the emotions of the animals in order to manipulate gullible animals of Animal Farm.
one of the leaders of the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin like Napoleon was not a good speaker, cared deeply about power, and he killed all that opposed him. They both were extremely great at promising wonderful lies. One huge conflict that I discovered while reading this novel is over power, the human beings versus the animals on the farm and later in the story the animals versus the other animals. The animals and the humans are always fighting each other. The pigs were trying to convince other animals not to take orders from the humans. Old Major which was the original creator of the animal revolution says “Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever”. Old Major basically is the one who in my opinion created the idea of all humans being their major problem. Old Major also says “There, comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summed up in a single word- Man”. This is a perfect example of how he strongly believes that their life would be much better without human beings. He continues to try to convince the animals how terrible humans are by saying “Man is the only creature who consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all animals”. Old Major sang this song to the farm animals “Beasts of England!
George Orwell (1903-1950 ), whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born in 1903 in Motihari, Bengal, India. His father, Richard Walmesley Blair was a civil servant for the British colonial government. In 1904 he moved with his mother and sister to England and was educated at Eton. He began to write at an early age, and was even published in college periodicals, but he did not enjoy school.
The saying “history repeats itself” is used quite often, but how many times have you actually seen it happen? The book Animal Farm portrays the idea of history repeating itself. The character Benjamin and the pigs in the story show history repeating itself throughout the book. In addition to these characters within the book, North Korea displays history's repetition outside the book.
Often times in a communist society, a leader’s use of language can lead to abuse of power. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the farm leaders, the pigs, use unknown language, invoke scare tactics, and create specific laws, thereby enabling them to control other animals, to suit their greedy desires, and to perform actions outside their realm of power. Because of the pigs’ use of broad language, implementation of scare tactics, and creation and manipulation of laws, they are able to get away with avoiding laws and convincing other animals into believing untrue stories and lies that are beneficial to the pigs.
There is a substantial amount of conflicts that occur in this satirical story. Often these conflicts are between the pigs and the rest of the animals. Only a minute portion of the animals didn’t really have some sort of conflict with Snowball, Napoleon, Squealer, or the rest of the dominating pigs. Overall, Snowball was a better leader than Napoleon, yet the animals reacted differently to Napoleon than to Snowball.
Power can have the persuasive action in undoing the moral ethics of one’s character. This can be seen throughout history, such as World War II and proven by the actions of Napoleon in the allegory, Animal Farm, by George Orwell. As Lord Acton said “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In history what was viewed as a villain or wrong doer is never the same as the perception. A leader does not begin wanting to do wrong, they start with the best intentions, but power is a tricky thing, showcased in Animal Farm as Utopian ideals but with failed practices.
Orwell's book, "Animal Farm", is full of satire. This satire is Orwell's way of communicating problems and resolutions. The main message in Animal Farm is that power cannot be divided equally. There will never be equality for all. Once power is obtained it is always abused, and power causes all to think as the leader does. Equality does not exist, for it is impossible for everyone to be equal.
Animal Farm is not only a novel about rebellious animals; it is a study of the corruption of society and humanity in an enclosed environment. The actions of the anthropomorphic animals that now rule Manor Farm represent the human society as a whole. Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novel which contains syntax that exemplifies power and hierarchies and diction that portrays character’s will and intention.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a political satire of a totalitarian society ruled by a mighty dictatorship, in all probability a fable for the events surrounding the Russian Revolution of 1917. The animals of “Manor Farm” overthrow their human master after a long history of mistreatment. Led by the pigs, the farm animals continue to do their work, only with more pride, knowing that they are working for themselves, as opposed to working for humans. Little by little, the pigs become dominant, gaining more power and advantage over the other animals, so much so that they become as corrupt and power-hungry as their predecessors, the humans.
In the animal farm all the animals got together to start a rebel to build up a perfect society. Finally it comes to a totalitarian night mare in which every human rebellion finally achieved. Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is not a story which presents an imaginary story where animals talk and act as humans. But it is a story which reflects the human society where the rebellions and wars which took place, taking place and in future too will take place starts with the dream of a perfect Utopia and ends in a totalitarianism nightmare.
... In the end, George Orwell’s dark brooding fairy tale Animal Farm proves to be a symbolic and understanding book. In its pages we can see the contrast between a supposedly communistic state where everyone is equal and the same, and how in the end it only leads to a total dictatorial establishment of totalitarianism, where everything is controlled by an elite group. Though Animal Farm was established with the idea of every animal being equal, in the end, the voice of the scheming pigs was the only one heard. Secondly, the book powerfully symbolizes key figures that have appeared in history.
Animal Farm is set on the Mannor Farm, during the chaotic time of an animal revolution.
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Sir Ferdinand Dalberg-Acton. Power is the source of almost all evil. It can lead away good men from doing their good deeds.