Essay On Symbolism In George Orwell's Animal Farm

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a dystopian novella in which Joseph Stalin’s position of power and the Russian Revolution is allegorized using anthropomorphism of farmyard animals, symbolizing that power could corrupt unintentionally in a unique and distinctive manner. How can symbolism be used to convey the corruption within the farm? Throughout the novel, a distinct theme shows how being in a position of power can corrupt an individual’s ideals; no matter their initial and perhaps honorable intentions. This is showcased by Orwell’s usage of pigs as leaders of the animal farm. They start off with noble intentions: to overthrow the oppressive leadership and control of the farmer, so that ultimately all animals on the farm can become equals. However, as time goes on, the pigs’ ideals gradually become more corrupt and twisted, eventually adopting their harsh farmer’s behavior and principles.

This paper will discuss the symbolism in Animal Farm. It will address its identification and portrayal, whilst also looking at the reasoning behind why some of the symbols were chosen; as well as the importance of symbolism in the development of the story and its themes. Through analysis of the themes in the book, different reasons as to why some symbols and representations were used will be explored. It is hoped that this paper will help students better

understand the full meaning of the story and to complement others’ research on its symbolism.
The purpose of this literature review is to illustrate the reasons behind George Orwell’s usage of certain symbols, and why they were chosen for Animal Farm. Furthermore, it will aim to examine how specific historical events were allegorized using anthropomorphism of farmyard animals, and how symbolism was uniquely used. It is hoped that this paper will prove that all of the characters in Animal Farm carry heavy symbolism and explore as to why it is a key element in delivering the full meaning of the story.
Some studies have focused on Orwell's opposition of communism and his criticism of the Soviet Union.

John Molyneux, a leading member of the Socialist Workers Party, writes in “Animal Farm Revisited” that he believes that the political meaning and significance of Animal Farm greatly outweighs the artistic importance of it. The fact that Animal Farm was so critical of the Soviet Union and its oppression made it difficult for Orwell to find a publisher willing to take his controversial novel; this was made worse by the fact that he was in London at the time, and the Soviets were allied with Britain in the war against

Germany.
Many works have been published about Orwell’s historical background. In “Why I Write” Orwell stated that he aspired to “make political writing into an art” (3). This ambition of his has been examined in George Orwell: English Rebel by Robert Coll, in which Coll speculates how Orwell’s life and background played a part in his political mindset, and why this contributed to the political novels he was renowned for writing. The defining events that prompted Orwell’s ambition to make political writing into its own form of artistic writing will be one of the topics this paper covers.
One of the most common subjects that has been explored in other studies of Animal Farm is the characters and what they symbolize, however this study focuses on a different angle, showing why these particular symbols were chosen, whether there are underlying reasons for their use and exploring any subtext present.
As aforementioned, some studies have focused on what the symbols represent, but this paper will address the symbolism used and its relevance to the meaning and development of the story. It is expected that this study will build on and complement others’ findings in understanding the symbolism within the text as a whole.