Irony In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Animal Farm, a novel written by George Orwell and published in 1945, is an allegory which reflects on the communism that was developed during the Russian Revolution. Animal Farm was formerly known as Manor Farm, and ran by its owner, Mr. Jones. However, determined to follow their late wisest pig, Old Major’s dream, the animals attempt to create their own utopia. In order to do this, they rebel against Mr. Jones and drive him off the farm. The farm is now fully run by animals, and is under the control of two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. These two rival each other for single authority over the farm; Napoleon overpowers Snowball, and soon Animal Farm is under his control. Throughout the course of the novel, Orwell uses verbal and situational irony,

The farm is meant to be the only farm best for animals as they are all treated equal in this place. However, here is the ironic part-- the animals are not all treated equally. All of the pigs, including the leader, eat the apples and drink the milk. For this, Squealer was sent to make a statement to the animals: “It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples” (36). Certainly, one would think that the pigs would then fulfill their duties, however the opposite occurs; the pigs fail in leading the animals on the farm to a forever-lasting victory. Therefore, Squealer means to say that the milk and apples are taken by the pigs for their own sake and desire. Shortly after the rebellion, Mr. Jones returns with not only his men, but men from neighboring farms, to stop the spread of Animalism. However, the animals are not up for it and they fight as much as they can to drive them back off the farm and teach them a lesson to never come back again (41-42). After the victory of the animals, Squealer is sent to the animals to make yet another statement: "I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself. Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure!” (55). He means the opposite of what he is saying because for Napoleon, leadership must be a great pleasure as he gets

Examples of this are crystal clear in the last chapter of Animal Farm as the inner thoughts of the animals are exposed. Orwell states, “. . . in those days they [the animals] had been slaves and now they were free, and that made all the difference, as Squealer did not fail to point out” (113). Here, the animals, based on their belief, are described to have been treated as slaves in Jones’s days, and finally now feel free. However, the animals do not come to realize that they are working harder and receiving less in Napoleon’s time than Jones’s time; nonetheless, they see themselves as to be free when being treated as slaves. In the last part of this quote, “Squealer did not fail to point out”, Orwell reveals to his readers of the fact the animals do not know they are being controlled by Squealer’s words (113). Whatever it may be that he says, they believe him. The animals choose not to speak up, hence making it easier for Squealer to blindfold them and make them hear what he wants to. Afterwards, Orwell goes on to state, “Indeed, all the animals worked like slaves . . .”, which contradicts the previous quote (118). It was previously stated, the animals were free in Napoleon’s days and now it is stated that the animals worked like slaves in his days. Through these quotes, Orwell reveals,