Cows and Communism: My Take on Animal Farm

    


Cows and Communism: My Take on Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a Short Story written in 1945. Authored by George Orwell, a writer famous for his dystopian novels such as the book 1984, this tale is set around a group of animals in a small English farm who, against the odds, overthrow their 'tyrannical' farmer and use the farm for themselves, tilling and farming the land to make their own food. Despite its unlikely plot and comedic animals, this story aligns quite well with the Russian Revolution and the rise of Soviet Communism, making for an entertaining read. 

    The entertaining, comedic aspects of the tetrapod characters in Animal Farm are great relief from the dystopian vibes this book gives off. Everything from "Benjamin, the cynical donkey" (Orwell 1) to the egotistical pig Napoleon, each animal whim adds much-appreciated pops of color to the plot. For example, Napoleon, after drinking "Half a gallon" of beer, runs around the farm in a drunken craze with human pants on his head! The funny moments these characters have is a great break from all the political symbolism in this book, which is eerily fascinating to read.

    The next trait that makes this book unique and interesting is its astonishing similarities between the Bolshevik Revolution and the Cold War Soviet Union. These similarities are so pronounced that I recommend that readers should learn the basics of Russian history before reading this book to have a better understanding of the plot. Examples of this iconic symbolism include the animals rise to power modelled after the rising of the working class in Russia, as well as the totalitarian power Napoleon has by the middle of the book, just like the absolute power held by Joseph Stalin over the Soviet Union. Government misinformation is also a big part of this book, like the "Seven Commandments"(Orwell 8)

Comments

  1. TristenMay 23, 2022 at 8:32 PM

    When I first read Animal Farm, I was intrigued by this symbolism and drastic comparison as well. You'll be surprised to find out how much detail Orwell put into his "easter eggs". In one variation of his writing, he compares old Major to the Former Premier of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin. Subtle details hint to ideas that you would only notice with a lot of historical knowledge, which I thought was pretty cool about this book.

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