The Use of Allegory in Animal Farm

Our world teems with allegory

We come across allegories almost everywhere where symbolism abounds; be it in movies, stories, songs, poems, paintings etc. It is a work of oral, visual or written expression that uses characters, figures and events to describe abstract ideas and principles (Hammond 158). These figures, characters and events are used symbolically and usually have broader hidden meanings that represent real-world issues and occurrences. These hidden meanings are often moral, political or spiritual (Hammond 158). The use of allegory in works of art is eminent throughout history for its ability to put across complex ideas and concepts in a way that is striking to the readers, viewers or listeners and one which they can comprehend.

The “Animal Farm”

a novella that was written by George Orwell, is an example of an allegory. It uses animals on a farm to describe the events that led to the Russian Revolution and then on to the era of the dictator, Joseph Stalin.

The Political Allegory of “Animal Farm”

The “Animal Farm” is a political allegory whose characters and events correspond to the Communist Revolution of Russia (Hammond 158). Concisely, the “Manor Farm” models Russia while the dominant figures such as “Major,” “Snowball,” and “Napoleon” parallel the commanding figures of the revolution. Mr Jones, the original owner of the farm, corresponds to the last Russian emperor, Tsar Nicholas II. During Tsar’s rule, he consistently insisted that he was the incontestable ruler of the nation. During his reign, there was marked poverty and upheaval among the Russian people. Millions of Russians suffered during his rule in the same way that the animals lived a life of hunger and want under Jone’s administration. Later, Tsar’s autocratic regime was toppled following a series of strikes and mutinies just as the animals overthrew the human oppressor, Mr Jones to form a socialist state – The Animal Farm. Tsar, like Jones, died shortly after that. In the novel, “Old Major” provided inspiration that fueled the rebellion against human oppressors. This parallels to Vladimir Lenin who led the Bolshevik Party into seizing control during the revolution. Lenin was a communist leader, inspired by “Karl Marx’s theory of Communism” paralleling to Major’s principles of Animalism which drew up the laws of the animal revolution. He died in the same way that Major died before each could see the results of the revolution reforms. In the book, the author used Snowball to represent Trotsky, another Marxist ideologist who led revolutionary rebellions against Stalinist bureaucracy just as Snowball directed the army of animals against Mr Jones. Trotsky had intellectual ideas which correspond to Snowball’s programs and windmill idea. Unfortunately, Trotsky was later exiled and killed by Stalin’s agents just as Napoleon chased away Snowball from the farm. The struggle for preeminence between Trotsky and Stalin depicts how figures that are idealistic but less powerful politically are ousted from totalitarian states by tyrannical regimes. Napoleon stands in for Stalin who consolidated power to himself much as the pigs consolidated power to themselves (Hammond 158-167).

Napoleon’s Rise to Power

Napoleon rose to power under the guise of improving the animals’ lives. In the same way that Squealer was Napoleon’s propagandist, Stalin often used propaganda, often posing as an idealist who would bring change (Hammond 159). Stalin often used purges and show trials to eliminate his enemies and solidify his power just as Napoleon used dogs to eradicate animals who were opposed to his uncontested leadership. The gradual disintegration and distortion of the seven commandments depict how those in power often corrupt ideologies that were previously meant for liberation and equality to suit their selfish needs as well as to propagate their totalitarian regimes (Hammond 164).

The Reestablishment of Class Structures

In the novel, it is evident how humans tend to reestablish class structures in a society that initially emphasized equality for all. The pig’s claim of being ’brain-workers’, and its use to manipulate the society also illustrates the class divisions that develop between intellectual and physical labour (Hammond 165). The tendency of a people who were initially integrated together in the fight against a common enemy to disintegrate when the enemy is defeated is also conspicuous. Gullible, loyal and hardworking animals, such as Boxer illustrates the naivety of the working class who allow themselves to be oppressed by the ruling class (Hammond 166). Such people lack the ability or willingness to question the authority which causes them to continue suffering under the oppression of the ruling class. Often, such people fail to recognize even the most blatant forms of political unscrupulousness (Hammond 166). Eventually, they end up being subjected to unjust and pitiful deaths even after being loyal supporters of the powers that be. Additionally, the author helps to depict how politicians use some people to manipulate language to continue abusing power (Hammond 168). Just as Squealer repeatedly reconfigured the commandments to decriminalize the pig’s misdeeds, these politicians use mass media, in present time, as an instrument to propagate their propaganda and often, abuse of power.

The Relevance of “Animal Farm” Today

Indeed, this novella bespeaks of an allegory with political significance in virtually every detail. While it might seem a mere dystopian animal fable, its teachings are relevant in modern day life.

Work Cited

Hammond, John. A George Orwell companion: a guide to the novels, documentaries and essays. Springer, 2016.