Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution
Written in the 1940’s as a reaction to the threat of communist Russia towards other European countries, George Orwell’s Animal Farm gave great insight into the opinions of the people of Britain and Europe regarding this new political system. ... The animals are used as a simple metaphor, representing the people of Russia and important advocates of the Bolshevik Revolution. ... Old Major, an aged boar, was introduced by the author to inspire the ideals of the communism, or, in this case, ‘Animalism”, to fellow animals at the Jones’ ‘Manor Farm’. Symbolizing Karl Marx and Lenin’s ideals of an equal government system, the pig incites the ideals of revolution among the animals. With cries to “overthrow the human race” (website), and for “perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle against humans” (website), he planted the seeds of revolution among his comrades. Although not living to see his plans to fruition, the revolution took place against the owner of ‘Manor Farm’, Farmer Jones. Manor Farm represents Russia in the novel and the owner represents the Czar of the time, Nicholas II. ... Because of this, the Czar’s subjects rebelled against his rule, and, after a failed republic, founded communist Russia, which is directly paralleled in the novel, Animal Farm.