Understanding Orwell s Animal Farm
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In George Orwell's medium length novel Animal Farm, written in 1967, a group of animals overthrow their leader, Mr. Jones, in an attempt to lead a more independent, enjoyable life. It is soon obvious to the reader that despite a change in leadership on the farm, problems always arise. Orwell uses personification and symbolism to portray through animals and events the Russian Revolution of 1917. Throughout this political satire, one inevitably realizes the animals's inability to overcome the dictator-like ruling of a select few.
A prize boar named Old Major gathers his fellow animals for a meeting in order to reveal an idea of ridding man off the farm. "He sets sights idealistically high about forming a happy collectivity with a manna economy. His general prescription that getting rid of man will bring an overnight change is believed as gospel."(Samir 32). Old Major symbolizes Karl Marx, author of Communist Manifesto, which introduces the idea of communism, a system that introduces the equal opportunity for all...