Symbolism, Satire, And Other Literary Devices In Animal Farm, A Novel By George Orwell

Literary devices are often used by literary writers. The most popular literary devices include similes, symbolism and satire. Writing allows writers to express themselves through writing. This is in the hope that other people will read and consider their ideas. Orwell, for example, uses symbolism, humor, and other literary techniques in Animal Farm by George Orwell. Orwell used animals to depict prominent figures in the Bolshevik Revolution of Russia during 1917.

Understanding the Bolshevik Revolution’s timeline is essential to fully understand the symbolism behind Animal Farm. Russia was a Soviet autocracy of Tsarists in 1917. It was a monarch-like country with a ruler who controlled all things. His name is Emperor Nicholas II. In February 1917, the country’s control was taken by members the Duma of the imperial legislature. The Bolsheviks led an armed rebellion to overthrow Duma in October. Bolsheviks created their own federal government. They practiced a Soviet democracy. This period was dominated by Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Nicholas II was the overthrown Tsar. Leon Trotsky, who was a leader in the struggle against Joseph Stalin, was also one of them. Trotskyism was Trotskyism’s anti-Stalinism ideology. He was an influential leader who remained in Russia until Stalin killed him. Joseph Stalin was a long-serving political leader in Communist Russia. Karl Marx, who is widely regarded as the father and founder of Marxism, was also the basis for communism’s political ideology. He is also known as the father of Marxism, the foundation for the ideology of Communism. Alexandra was Nicholas II’s wife. Adolf Hitler is the leader and infamous figure of Germany at that time. Orwell shows how many famous and unrecognized leaders emerged in this period. Orwell uses the names of characters like ‘Snowball’ as symbols for purity and fairness on the farm. The revolution begins in Chapter 2 and the farm moves towards animalism. They set up seven commands that prohibit any behavior that is reminiscent of human behaviour. The song “Beasts of England” is introduced to help them achieve their goal. The seven commandments, which are located on page 17, read: “Anyone who walks on two legs is an adversary.” A friend is anyone who has four legs or wings. Clothing is forbidden for any animal. Animals should not sleep on a mattress. Animals are not allowed to consume alcohol. One animal may not kill another. These directives were used by Orwell to foreshadow the inevitable spiral into corruption as well as absolute power of pigs in the novel.

Old Major is our first introduction to him. He is an older, dying pig. He calls for a meeting with all farm animals to discuss his concerns. He is respected by all the animals, as he claims that every animal will sacrifice a few hours of sleep in order to hear his speech. (Orwell, 4). Old Major tells them of his dream that all animals would be freed from captivity and not slaves to human masters. He says that all animals are equal and that this is the basis of the Animalism ideology. He mentions a song in which animals were free. Old Major states then that animals must be liberated by rebellion. Old Major is often compared with Karl Marx, who is the foundation of Communism. Marx and Old Major have many in common. Marx believed all men were equal, much like Old Major with animals. The entire rebellion began in Old Major.

Napoleon, a pig is one of the major leaders in the book. Although his name is similar to Napoleon Bonaparte’s, it is believed that his actions resemble those of Joseph Stalin. Soon after the rebellion, Napoleon began to address his comrades. A comrade can be someone with whom you travel or fight side by side. Many called Joseph Stalin Comrade Stalin. Napoleon was also very shrewd, something Stalin was famous for. Napoleon would often study the military tactics of others to learn how to apply them in their own battles. Both Napoleon, Stalin and others saw brute force as a useful tool. Napoleon takes the litter from Jessie or Bluebell after they have given birth to a litter. These dogs become bodyguards for Napoleon and other animals. This is very similar to Stalin’s excessive use of force in battle. Stalin was well-known for his preference for a strong military. In 1950, the Foreign Language Publishing House published a paper on Stalin and Soviet Armed Forces. It says that Stalin was the inventor of Soviet military science. Napoleon had his dogs to defend him, while Stalin had his military. They had to enforce the laws in order that no one could oppose or, in some cases, challenge the will of the leaders.

Napoleon raised his head and, looking at Snowball with a strange sidelong glance, let out a high-pitched whine that no one had heard him make before. Nine large, brass-studded dogs came running into the bar at this moment. They ran straight for Snowball and he only managed to get away from their snapping jaws.

Napoleon’s dogs were used to exterminate Snowball, an opposition figure, in this situation. History.com reports that Joseph Stalin had expelled other potential leaders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Leon Trotsky is another example. It is also clear that Napoleon abuses the force in other places, as shown by the killing of “guilty”, animals who allegedly conspired to kill Snowball. Napoleon is almost a mirror image of Stalin’s beliefs and actions.

Snowball, another pig, is the character who has the greatest influence in Animal Farm. Snowball is a great leader and could do great things. He was instrumental in the creation of Animalism, a movement that believes all animals are equal. He is also very talented, as you can see from his design of the farm’s windmill.

His imagination was now far more than chaff-cutters or turnip-slicers. He explained that electricity could run threshing machinery, ploughs. harrows. rollers, reapers. And each stall would have its own electric light. (Orwell, 52)

Snowball’s creativity is evident in his plans to help animals’ jobs. He preferred working three days per week to reduce the stress on animals. Snowball is often depicted to be more in favor of equality among all animals than he is for any special privileges. Napoleon’s dogs chase Snowball out of the book about half-way through. Snowball is often compared with Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was expelled from the USSR for his opposition to Stalinism’s Trotskyism idea. Stalin considered him a threat to Stalin’s country, and he ran him out. Snowball is finally expelled from the Animal Farm. There is no definitive information about his destination. Napoleon uses Snowball mainly to make him the scapegoat for any problems. The same was true for the windmill.

“Comrades,” said he quietly. “Does this person have responsibility?” Are you aware of the enemy that attacked our windmill at night? “SNOWBALL!” He suddenly roared with thunderous voice. “Snowball did this!”

It was made clear that it was November. This is when strong winds blow up from the southeast. Napoleon also blames Snowball for the windmill’s destruction. Snowball is used throughout to justify Napoleon’s actions and has to be blamed for the consequences.

Nine dogs play a major role in the book’s portrayal of the Bolshevik Revolution as it progresses. These dogs were born to Jessie or Bluebell. Napoleon takes them when they are puppies to train. He informs the animals that he’s focused on education and uses that to train the dogs privately. The dogs are now trained to be body guards when they return. It was written on page 53 that there was “a terrible barking sound outside and nine huge dogs with brass-studded collars ran into the bar.” (Orwell 53). These puppies were not innocent puppies. They were large dogs who were to serve as Napoleon’s private military officers. Stalin created the Red Army. Public Broadcasting Services has stated in their archives Russian History that it includes information about the leaders of military units. PBS states regarding these officers: “While most remained loyal to Soviets, they were attached as political officers, or “advisors”, to all units. They provided propaganda and monitored the reliability. These dogs were supposed to give propaganda. They used fear tactics to show what would occur if Napoleon was not defeated. These dogs could be frightening for other animals. Napoleon used the dogs in whatever situation he deemed necessary. To quietenly threaten the animals’ safety, Napoleon used his dogs when others tried to speak against him. Similar tactics were used by Joseph Stalin to enforce laws in Russia and his own way of doing things. His military guards were used as silencers to any opposition. Stalin’s military force was represented by the nine dogs featured in Animal Farm.

Animalism is created after the Jones’ animals successfully rebel against their masters. They simplified this complex idea down to seven commands in order to simplify it. These are the commandments:

1. A foe is anyone who walks on two feet.

2. Any creature that has four legs or wings is friend

3. Clothing is not allowed to be worn by animals

4. A bed is not allowed for any animal.

5. Alcohol consumption is prohibited for animals

6. One animal may not kill another animal

7. All animals have equal rights (Orwell – 24-25).

These commandments are also known as the Seven Commandments. These are the rules that people should follow. If they do, then everything will be fine. You should also be aware that the Bible contains a set Ten Commandments, which are similar rules. It is possible that the Bible was mentioned. The story also featured a raven called Moses. Moses would talk to animals about Sugarcandy Mountain after a hard week’s work. Moses spoke of the promised land, which would be full of honey and milk. Moses the raven could also be described in a similar way. He spoke about a special land that was easy to live in. Karl Marx’s quote is used to interpret this. Marx stated in Karl Marx’s book A Contribution to Hengel’s Philosophy of Right:

The expression and protest against real suffering, as well as religious suffering, is both real and imaginary. Religion is the sighing, heartbreaking, and soulless of the oppressed. It is the opium for the people.

These quotes reveal that Marx and Orwell believed religion was a way to keep people going. It enabled them to continue working and to fight another war. They fought for opium. In this book, religion was just a wild thought that was meant to keep the animals working, even though it was ultimately tragic.

Animal Farm is often viewed as a fairy tale or a make-believe story. An in-depth review revealed much more. Although it appeared that the story was about animals escaping from captivity, it’s actually satirical. It exposes communism and leaders. It features pigs like Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. It is a story of lies, military strategy, abuse and corrupt leadership. Orwell discusses the notion that not much has changed between the old and new regimes. The animals looked at each other from pigs to humans, and then from pigs to men, but could not tell the difference. It is considered one of the most important satirical works of all time because of its intricate description and accurate allegory.