Contents

Discuss Animal Farm as an Allegory.

Discuss Animal Farm as a political allegory.

Discuss the appropriateness of the title of the novel ‘Animal Farm’.

Allegory is a form of literature. In allegory, the theme of the work presents two or more than two meanings at a time. The writer adopts two methods for the allegory – symbolism and personification. In the neo-classical age, very few writers had adopted allegory as a form of English literature. P.B. Shelley’s ‘Prometheus Unbound’ is a very remarkable example of an allegory. In modern age, Eugene O’Neil’s dramas are the best allegorical works. In the field of poetry and drama, allegory has been an outstanding element, but in the field of novel and fiction very few novelists could show their courage in the allegorical work. Kamala Markandeya’s Possession’ is a fine example of allegory as it deals with the allegory of freedom of India. In the allegory, the characters do not have their individual characteristics. but they are presented as the symbols either of some class or of some object or of some personality. In Possession’ Val is an innocent boy who stands for India, Caroline, a lady who desires to possess Val emotionally and physically, represents British. Another character of Swami, who represents Gandhi liberates Val from Caroline.

Besides this, Kamala Markandeya, Raja Rao, Kamala Das and Amitabh Ghosh are some of the notable novelists who dared deal with allegory as a tool in writing of their novels.

George Orwell, who is basically known as journalist, also proved himself as a remarkable novelist in the line of allegory writings. The ‘Animal Farm‘ has been appreciated by the critics of his age due to its allegorical style. In fact, the story of ‘Animal Farm’ has been presented as a fairy tale. So, the entire novel seem to be an allegory. The novelist does not appear to break the confidence of allegory in any place. From the very beginning to the end of the novel, he keeps us in the company of animals. We get pleasure to listen to Old Major, Squealer, Napoleon, Snowball in different roles. We enjoy the world of animals very much. But when we become aware of the symbols of these animals, we realize the sincerity and seriousness of the theme. Old Major boar, who represents Karl Marx, become an outstanding character of English literature. Napoleon and Snowball who represent Stalin and Trotsky, become more impressive characters. Conflicts between them makes us aware of ups and downs of Russia. George Orwell in so much aware of his allegorical writing that he does not forget to mention the secret police of Russia in the form of the dogs of Napoleon. The plot of the novel is very helpful to the allegory of the novel. The novelist reveals the problem of the establishment of windmill and the effect of seven commandments in humorous manner. Every incident, every character of the novel plays very significant role in the development of the main theme of the novel.

In the very beginning of the novel, we hear Old Major who tells the animals how they are exploited at the hands of men. Jones, the owner of the farm, generally beats them unnecessarily. Old Major asks animals to revolt against Jones, who is the symbol of tyranny. Three days after his speech Old Major dies and animals are greatly shocked at his death. But the thoughts and views of Old Major have influenced them very much. Napoleon and Snowball take the responsibility to arrange the thoughts in a system. They named the system ‘Animalism’. Later on, we observe that a revolt against Jones take place and it proves to be successful revolution. Jones is expelled and animals enjoy the freedom. Now animals have two leaders under whom the animals show their faith. Napoleon and Snowball become two leading forces of the farm. Napoleon is very ambitious but Snowball never likes to disobey Old Major. Anyhow, Napoleon decides to drive away Snowball from the farm and he gets success in his plan at the issue of windmill. For expulsion of Snowball, he uses his dogs.

Now Napoleon becomes the sole leader of the farm. He overpowers the farm as a tyrant. By and by, he violates all the principles of Animalism. He starts to lead a luxurious life. Under his rule, pigs and dogs become more and more rich. He continues to criticise Snowball in order to reduce his influence or animals. Squealer always tries to convince animals that Napoleon is the true follower of Old Major. During the course of time animals have to face two major happenings destruction of windmill by storm and attack of Fredrick resulting redestruction of windmill. He appoints Whymper as the meditator between the animals and men. Later on, he imitates Jones in the ways of ife. During the construction windmill when Boxer becomes the victim of an accident and injured hadly, he sends him butcher’s house instead of sending nim hospital for treatment. Benjamin, a donkey, discloses the fact before animals that Boxer was sent to Butcher house. in the last chapter, the readers note that Napoleon and his tollowers, in the form of pigs and dogs have become rich while other animals are leading the lives of scarcity and sufferings. Napoleon orders the ani nais give up all the traditions. Even he converts ne name and ting of the farm. George Orwell presents all the historical events througn an allegory. He gives us the real information of Russian politics. He tells us how the people of Russia revolted against the tyramy of Nicholas II. The revolutionists deciares that they are follower of Karl Marx. Stain and Trotsky arrange the thoughts of Karl Marx and gave a system that is known as ‘Communism. In order to overpower Russia, Stalin uses his power to reduce the influence of Trotsky. After the exit of Trotsky. Stalin starts to overpower the country with his tyrannical ways. The period of exploitation of common man again cause. Yet the communists tried to explain that they are providing proper aid to the common man. In the story of ‘Animal Farm’, the writer makes us familiar with the Russian history since the October Revolution of 1917. The seven commandments the ‘Animal Farm’ are the symbolic presentation of the thoughts of Karl Marx. All the animals are equal’ is the allegorics] commandment which purposes at the equality of human beings. Karl Marx strictly opposed the luxuries of fe and ait emphasis on the simplicity of life. The novelist points ou in the commandments that “No animal shall wear clothes, no animal shall sleep in bed, and no animal shall drink alcohol.

In order to explair allego.ica unoression, the author says very humorously tha: Ola Major cailed all the animais Comrades and later on all the animais began to call one another comrades. Connade’ is a term that was used by Kari Marx. It stands for equality. Thus the author convices ine reader that the animatier. reens Coinmunism and ‘Anima’ Faru. as cutwardly the story a imals and inwardly the story of conmurisis The novel st adds the allegorical element deliberately. Thus, all the incidents of the novel are the historical events of Russian Revolution.