George Orwells Writing techniques in Animal Farm

George Orwell’s Techniques

Discuss the ways in which Orwell effectively shows some of the aspects of communism and the events surrounding the Russian Revolution

This essay will focus on the ways and techniques that George Orwell uses, to show the parallels between Russian Communism, and Animal Farm. It will explain the importance of the single techniques, and the overall aim of the writer.

The Book, Animal Farm, was written by George Orwell and was first published in 1945. As Orwell always wants to draw attention to a lie or faults in the system with his books, he concentrated on Russian Communism with this one, and although it sounds like a childish story at first, it is very serious from its bases to the finished story.

By creating a smaller, compressed version of the USSR within a farm in England, Orwell shows how easily someone can grasp power by abusing the communist principles and shaping them to his liking and benefit. He also associated the animal characters within the story, with communist party members, peasants, workers and army. Everyone gets a job, that he or she

has to do and everyone is everyone’s “comrade”. There are Stalin and Trotsky, represented by the two pigs Napoleon and Snowball, the politburo is represented by the pigs in genera,l the peasants are sheep that follow without their own opinion about things, and the pigeons for example are messengers.

He uses extremely simple language, because he wanted to state his message about communism as clearly as possible and with no chance of misunderstanding the text. For example: The seven animal commandments are extremely simple language and easy to understand for everyone (animal and man or reader).“1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes… etc…“

He also uses this simple language, because he wants to make a clear statement that no one can manipulate. The normal reader would also understand it, if it were a bit harder, but the press could then change it to their own liking and that’s exactly what he didn’t want. Only because the book is written in simple language, it doesn’t mean it’s a children’s book. It’s the same as with the little prince. Children can read it, and understand the funny story about animals, and adults can read it and understand the serious and horrible core of the story where no one has their own rights anymore, because everyone is equal.