Contents

Animal Farm is symbolic in character. Discuss.

Write a note on symbolism of George Orwell with special reference to the novel ‘Animal Farm’.

Write a note on thematic character in ‘Animal Farm’.

George Orwell has presented the story of ‘Animal Farm‘ in a form of fable. It is a merciless satire on the dictatorship of Stalin. As a fable, it amuses children also. It presents all the activities of animals of a farm with their joys and sorrows. At the same time, as a satire it deals with the effects of the dictatorship of Stalin in Russia. Orwell who believes in Socialism, presents ‘Animal Farm’ as a lament for the fate of all the revolutions and hopes which meet their end with misery and end of all the hopes.

George Orwell is an expert in balancing the expression of real story. In this novel, animals are representatives of a certain class of people. The novelist does not fuse his characters with individual traits. He presents Benjamin as a representative of intellectuals who are able to understand the difference between good and bad, Moses stands for religion. He usually talks of Sugarcandy Mountains which is a symbol of unknown world about which generally religion points out. Boxer represents the labour class. He is always desirous of working hard. Napoleon and his follower pig stand for modern politicians who always engaged in search of power and after getting power, they start misusing it. Thus, the writer has paid his all attention in balancing between imaginations and facts. He does not become superfluous regarding his main theme. George Orwell is master of the presentation of symbolism.

After death of Old Major his thoughts are formulated into seven commandments. All the animals of farm decide not to break any of the commandments. In the story of the novel, all the animals united at the time when revolution takes place. The revolution results in the departure of Jones, the owner of the farm. After the revolution, in Russia, the revolutionaries had decided to establish a new world that might not be imitation of the the former rulers.

Animals also convert the name of the Manor Farm into Animal Farm. After the the revolution, Stalin and Tortsky became the leaders of the rest of revolutionaries in Russia. Stalin wanted to dominate the country but Trotsky was an obstacle on his way. So, he had to fall victim to Stalin’s plans. He had to run away from the country. In novel also, Napoleon and Snowball became leaders of animals but Napoleon who is symbol of Stalin has a secret desire to overpower the rest of animals. He adopts an illegal way to drive away Snowball, from the farm, who represents Trotsky. In the absence of Snowball, Napoleon is the only leader of animals and enjoys opportunities. Though Trotsky did not interfere with Stalin, yet latter continued to criticize him. He declared his a traitor and anti-communist. Similarly, in the novel also, Napoleon continues to criticize Snowball and declares him traitor and throws all the responsibilities of mishappening in farm over Snowball. He proves Snowball the agent of Jones. Squealer is also an important character in the novel. He represents to Dr. Goebbels, Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda. Squealer always tries to prove wrong deeds, of Napoleon and other pigs, in the benefit of animals, similarly, Dr. Goebbels tried to prove Hitler’s policies in favour of Germans.

Seven commandments and wind mill’s plan represent the thoughts of Karl Marx and economic policies of Russia. Wind mill plan which was introduced by Snowball, represents the first five year plan of Russia introduced by Trotsky. Attack of Fredericks is the symbol of attack of Hitler on Russia. It was a great loss of Russia, but Stalin ordered the Russian to celebrate the victory because of psychological need of that time.

In view of the above, it can be said that undoubtedly, ‘Animal Farm’, is a symbolic story of the decline and development of Russian politics. The novelist is so keen on weaving the incidents that it seems to a biography of every country which got its freedom via revolution. It also conveys the message that “power corrupts the ruler”.