Symbols

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or
concepts.

Animal Farm
Animal Farm, known at the beginning and the end of the novel as the Manor Farm, symbolizes
Russia and the Soviet Union under Communist Party rule. But more generally, Animal Farm stands
for any human society, be it capitalist, socialist, fascist, or communist. It possesses the internal
structure of a nation, with a government (the pigs), a police force or army (the dogs), a working
class (the other animals), and state holidays and rituals. Its location amid a number of hostile
neighboring farms supports its symbolism as a political entity with diplomatic concerns.

The Barn
The barn at Animal Farm, on whose outside walls the pigs paint the Seven Commandments and,
later, their revisions, represents the collective memory of a modern nation. The many scenes in
which the ruling-class pigs alter the principles of Animalism and in which the working-class
animals puzzle over but accept these changes represent the way an institution in power can revise a
community’s concept of history to bolster its control. If the working class believes history to lie on
the side of their oppressors, they are less likely to question oppressive practices. Moreover, the
oppressors, by revising their nation’s conception of its origins and development, gain control of the
nation’s very identity, and the oppressed soon come to depend upon the authorities for their
communal sense of self.

The Windmill
The great windmill symbolizes the pigs’ manipulation of the other animals for their own gain.
Despite the immediacy of the need for food and warmth, the pigs exploit Boxer and the other
common animals by making them undertake backbreaking labor to build the windmill, which will
ultimately earn the pigs more money and thus increase their power. The pigs’ declaration that
Snowball is responsible for the windmill’s first collapse constitutes psychological manipulation, as
it prevents the common animals from doubting the pigs’ abilities and unites them against a
supposed enemy. The ultimate conversion of the windmill to commercial use is one more sign of the
pigs’ betrayal of their fellow animals. From an allegorical point of view, the windmill represents the
enormous modernization projects undertaken in Soviet Russia after the Russian Revolution.

Style
The style of Animal Farm is simple and clear. The novella’s language is concrete, factual and
delivered in short sentences. The simplicity of style culminates at the novella’s end, in one-sentence
paragraphs: “It was a pig walking on his hind legs.[…] He carried a whip in his trotter” (Chapter
10). The simplicity and clarity of the novella’s style contrasts with the way Animal Farm’s
characters use language. Throughout the book, characters use language in deceptive ways for
political purposes. Some characters make their language complex in order to deceive, like Squealer
when he is explaining Napoleon’s actions. Other characters use simplistic language to distort the
truth, like the sheep with their slogan, “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Alongside these examples of
deceptive language, Orwell’s own writing style offers a constant reminder that truth can be
conveyed in straightforward language anyone can understand. The strong contrast between the
plainspoken style of the novel and the manipulative styles adopted by characters who want to seize
power illuminates the difference between truthful language and political deception.
A notable feature of Animal Farm’s style is the use of the passive voice. For instance, when
Napoleon steals the cows’ milk, we are not told which character or characters notice that the milk is
missing. Instead we are told that “it was noticed that the milk had disappeared” (Chapter 2). The use
of the passive voice emphasizes the animals’ helplessness: events occur without any particular
animal taking action, creating the impression that things happen without the animals’ consent. The
passive voice also helps to show the power of rumor and false information in an oppressive society.
When no one knows exactly who said, did or “noticed” something, it’s easy to claim that the thing
didn’t really happen, or that it happened differently, and this is exactly what the pigs do.

Tone
The tone of Animal Farm is initially playful and lighthearted, but it becomes bitter as the story
unfolds. The story begins with a tone suggesting the reader is embarking on a superficially silly
story about ridiculous humans and talking animals. The description of both the humans and animals
suggests a bemused, detached attitude toward the story. Orwell anthropomorphizes the animals,
which is to say he not only gives them the ability to speak, but gives them human qualities and
concerns. For example, Clover the horse “never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal”
(Chapter 1). The concern with physical appearance makes Clover seem like a foolish woman.
However, as Napoleon’s regime worsens, chilling notes creep in. This bitterness is all the more
striking because it is embedded in an otherwise playful story. The progression from playfulness to
disturbing bitterness warns readers that however cozy life seems, society can easily collapse into
horror and bloodshed. At the same time, by making a silly, playful, fun story out of the horrifying
events of Stalin’s Terror, the novella also makes fun of Stalin, suggesting that ultimately the Soviet
dictator is as laughable as a talking pig.
An Animal Farm Literary Analysis By Andrew Beling

Animal Farm is a novella written by George Orwell that was first published in 1945. Many of the
themes and ideas presented in this novella were influenced by politics during the first half of the
20th century.

Animal Farm tells the story of a group of animals living on the Manor farm under the rule of the
cruel farmer Mr. Jones. Old Major, the wisest and oldest of the animals unites the farm against the
humans. Driving the humans out, the animals begin their own society based upon democratic
principles. Animals are expected to follow the seven tenets of Animalism and treat others equally.
Life on the farm for the animals is physically demanding, but there is plenty of food and life is
good. However, the pigs have complete control over Animal Farm’s government and this peace will
be short lived. Power struggles ensue and life becomes hard. Overtime the seven tenets of
Animalism are eroded. Animals lose their freedoms and are unable to challenge the pigs’ authority,
who are backed by a vicious and fiercely loyal army of dogs. Slowly over time, the virtues upon
which Animal Farm is founded lose their meaning and the pigs become indistinguishable from the
human dictators that they overthrew. Is life any different now for the animals than it was before the
rebellion?

George Orwell’s writing style in Animal Farm is allegorical in nature. Many recent events in
world history are paralleled in Animal Farm, specifically WWI, The Russian Revolution, the rise of
Communism in Eastern Europe, and WWII. The Russian Revolution of 1917 established
communist in Russia. By the end of WWII, when Animal Farm was written, Communist Russia was
immensely different from the principles upon which it was founded. Stalin had complete control
over the Soviet Union and most of his political opponents such as Leon Trotsky had been exiled or
killed. In Animal Farm, the animal revolution is an analogy for Bolshevik Russia. Certain characters
represent historical people. Stalin is personified in Napoleon, the lead pig who completely controls
Animal Farm. Napoleon kills off other pigs who oppose his rule or animals he considers disloyal.
These are representations of Stalin’s purges that began before the second World War and continued
into the 1950s. Throughout Animal Farm, the animals undergo negotiations with other farms to gain
resources. At one point, Napoleon begins to purchase goods from a nearby farm known as
Pinchfield. However, Mr. Frederick quickly turns against the Animal Farm, an analogy for Hitler
and Russian involvement in the second World War.
George Orwell’s writing is short, simple, and to the point. He does not spend much time using
figurative language or explaining a character’s feelings. He intentionally avoids using figurative
language and chooses to use short words whenever possible.
Some characters in Animal Farm that represent historical figures include:

Old Major- Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin

Old Major's commandments of Animalism represent the communist theories created by Karl Marx
(and Friedrich Engels) in his books The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. Major also
represents Lenin because he is the individual who ignites revolution.

Snowball- Leon Trotsky

Snowball is driven off the farm by Napoleon, similar to Stalin's rise to power when he exiles
Trotsky to Mexico, thereby taking complete control of the Soviet Union.

Napoleon- Joseph Stalin

Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin because both take power as a dictator after revolution. Just like
Stalin, Napoleon kills those he finds disloyal and bends the laws to suit his needs. George Orwell
was strongly opposed to Stalin's regime and showed the corruption of the Russian Revolution
through Napoleon.

Boxer- Proletariat working class

Boxer's immense work ethic and willingness to serve his fellow animals on the farm represent the
working class of Russia. Boxer is manipulated by Napoleon and used for labor. He is lied to and
controlled by the pigs, eventually being sold to a glue company who will slaughter him.

Farmer Jones- Czar Nicholas

Farmer Jones is an allegory for Czar Nichola the Second. Jones is overthrown by the farm animals,
a representation of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Jones attempts to retake his farm later in the
novella. This represents the subsequent civil war between the bolsheviks and supporters of the czar.

Squealer- Russian propaganda, specifically the state-controlled newspaper Pravada.

Squealer convinces the other animals to follow Napoleon and justifies the corrupt rule of the pigs.
He represents how those who are in control manipulate others to keep their power.

Mr. Frederick- Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler

Frederick is a direct metaphor for Hitler. He enters into an uneasy peace with Animal Farm and the
two cooperate briefly before he betrays them (As Hitler did to the USSR. Orwell's choice of a
German name for him may also be a comparison.

Mr. Pilkington- Capitalist countries of the west such as the British Empire and the United States
of America
Mr. Pilkington works together with Napoleon to stop his rival, Mr. Frederick. However he does not
trust Animal Farm and fears that his animals will revolt as Mr. Jones' animals did.

There are many other authors who have explored themes represented in Animal Farm in their own
novels. Perhaps the most similar novel is Orwell’s own 1984. Both of these novels deal with the
idea of the government gaining increasing power. However, 1984 examines life under a government
with complete and total control. Another similar novel is Lord of the Flies which shows how fast
power can corrupt, even amongst good people. In Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies, many people
in positions of power start off with good intentions, but become more corrupt over time. Any book
that examines the political structure of the Second World War and the Soviet Union will have many
similar themes.
Three Essential Questions Animal Farm seeks to answer:

• Is it possible to have a completely equal society? Will there always be inequalities? Will
society always be divided into different social classes?
• How are rights eroded over time? Why do members of society let it happen? If rights are
erased gradually by the government, will people even notice? Do they care?
• What roles do education and knowledge play in the preservation of political freedom?

A primary message conveyed by Orwell in Animal Farm is invariable social stratification in

society. Despite the fact that the revolution begins purely and promises equality for all, these ideals
are soon corrupted by desire for power. Orwell makes the statement that in any society a hierarchy
will develop with the educated ruling over the intellectually inferior. He supports free thinking and
education for all by showing the danger of a naive working class who are easily controlled. If the
masses are uneducated, they can be controlled and a dictator such as Napoleon can rise to power.

In Animal Farm, the pigs gain power and strip other members of the farm of their rights. Most of
the time animals are not as well educated or as smart as the pigs, and are powerless to stop this
process. The masses are controlled using propaganda and those who question Napoleon's rule are
outright killed. Gradually, over time, the pigs change the laws to fit their needs, until they have
become just as oppressive as the humans farmers who were overthrown. It seems that Orwell's
message is to point out the flaws with the Animal revolution (an analogy for the Russian revolution
and communism). Napoleon and the pigs use oppressive and violent methods to maintain control as
well as erode the rights of other animals. Members of society are powerless to do anything and most
don't even realize what is happening due to pro-government propaganda and brainwashing.

Education can be used to manipulate and control the working class. If the masses are uneducated
or illiterate, they will be unable to challenge the government’s abusive policies. In Animal Farm, the
pigs bend the rules to fit their own needs and desires, without concern for the loyal workers. When
animals become suspicious of these rule changes, the pig propagandist, Squealer, tells them that the
rules have always been the same. No animals are smart enough to question the pig’s dominance.
The pigs also use education to their advantage by spreading lies and favorable rumors. Young
animals are taught to be loyal to the Animal Farm, and Napoleon is able to raise a ruthless army of
dogs by teaching them “Four legs good two legs bad”.

I thoroughly enjoyed Animal Farm. I thought it was informative, interesting, and was a pretty easy
read. Many themes and motifs found in Animal Farm are still relevant today and can be applied to
the past as well as present. It doesn’t make my top 10 list because it is very short, but
I definitely recommend it. Some other similar novels I can recommend are 1984, Lord of the Flies,
and Brave New World.