Communism In Animal Farm Essay

‘Animal Farm’ is a novel written by George Orwell and is an allegory for the 1917 Russian Communist Revolution. Orwell allegorizes the revolution by comparing individuals or groups of people with animals. ‘Animal Farm’ depicts a story of a group of animals revolting against their cruel dictator only for him to be replaced by another. Orwell’s views on many political issues, especially issues surrounding communism, are made clear in the novel. Some big issues addressed are; Fraud, tyranny and the compliance of the populace. Orwell’s views on all of these are negative and there are many clear examples in ‘Animal Farm’.

George Orwell, at many times in ‘Animal farm’, satirizes tyrants. He criticizes them and shows that a society cannot prosper under the rule of

one. Tyranny is described as a cruel or oppressive government or rule. The animals in the novel start off under the oppressive rule of Mr. Jones. He was an alcoholic who didn’t care about the wellbeing of the animals. Mr. Jones is used as an allegory for the Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, who was Russia’s last monarch before being overthrown by the communist regime. In the same way, Mr. Jones was overthrown by his animals. But soon after the communists took power, Napoleon, or Joseph Stalin in the case of the Russian Revolution, gained control. He was a cruel leader, a leader who only cared about himself. He, unlike his counterpart, Snowball (Leon Trotsky), did not want to help the citizens. He ruled with an iron trotter. “But suddenly the dogs sitting around Napoleon let out deep, menacing growls, and the pigs fell silent”, (Chapter 5). He used his vicious dogs to enforce his commands and scared the animals into submission. Orwell shows that dictators such as Napoleon or Stalin are no better at ruling than Mr. Jones or Nicholas II.
Fraud is defined as wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in personal gain.

Napoleon, from the moment the Battle of Cowshed ended, started working in his own best interest, and in doing so, betrayed all the ideals the animals had fought for. He betrayed these ideas whilst deceiving the animals into thinking that he had their best interest at heart. “I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made”, (Chapter 5) Squealer said after Napoleon’s dogs had driven Snowball off the farm for Napoleon’s own gain. Arguably the biggest commandment out of the seven was “All animals are equal”. Napoleon has no regard for this ideal, he shows this in everything he does. He does not believe himself to be equal with the rest of the animals. He rules over them and even changes the commandant to, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”. He also shows how much ‘more equal’ the pigs are than the other animals by keeping all the apples and milk to themselves instead of sharing them, while claiming it’s for the wellbeing of the farm and all of its inhabitants. Orwell criticizes the hypocrisy of these actions and shows how it is detrimental to the farm as a

whole.
The compliance of the populace is a big issue in ‘Animal Farm’. A lot of the animals are just too used to having a ruler, making it impossible for all the animals to be equal. This plays a key part in how the pigs were able to get power. The animals believed the propaganda put forth by the likes of Napoleon and Squealer, often without questioning it. A good example of this is Boxer, the representation of the blindly devoted workers who didn’t question the words of their leader. “If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.” (Chapter 5). Whilst Boxer is an admirable, hard-working character, his ignorance is borderline infuriating. Orwell believes that unquestioning ignorance is, and has always been, a large factor into how dictators, such as Napoleon, gain power.
Throughout ‘Animal Farm’, George Orwell’s views on many political issues are displayed. His views on government and dictatorial rule, on fraud and hypocrisy and on ignorance and obedience. Orwell also shows how all of these things have a negative effect on society and the consequences that go with them.