Animal Farm Essays - British Films, Cold War Films, Allegory

Animal Farm Essays - British Films, Cold War Films, Allegory Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novel based on the lives of a society of animals living on the Manor Farm. Although the title of the book suggests the book is merely about animals, the story is a much more in depth analysis of the workings of society in Communist Russia. The animals are used as puppets to illustrate how the communist class system operated and how Russian citizens responded to this. And also how propaganda was used by early Russian leaders such as Stalin, and the effort this type of leadership had on the behavior of the people of Russia. One thing which relates to the topic is how pigs are favored on Animal Farm. The main source for this was because their leader, Napoleon, was a pig. The pigs were subject to favoritism by Napoleon, and were subject to privileges that other animals were not given. Privileges such as sleeping in beds, wearing clothes, and drinking beer. The pigs were the only animals involved in making the vital decisions on Animal Farm. The fact emulates in a way how our government tends to operate. The Government Party members are paid an exorbitant amount of money. With this money, the members of government can purchase costly cars and houses if they wish to do so. They make all the important decisions about the country where as the tax payers rarely take say in it. Another thing that Animal Farm and modern society have in common is that the powerless people are subject to propaganda. In Animal Farm, Squealer and Napoleon used propaganda by telling the animals that Snowball was a traitor, thus convincing them that he was a criminal. They threatened that if Napoleon wasnt in leadership, Jones may come back. This happens in our society during election period. The opposing parties all warn the public of the consequences of voting the other party into power. The issue of Boxer, the horse, represents how people are used for their skills and talents. As soon as they are no longer needed, theyre disregarded. Boxer was the hardest worker on the farm, constantly chanting Napoleon is always right, and I will work harder. He contributed the most to the development of the windmill. As soon as Boxer was unable to continue working, Napoleon got rid of him. Boxers face disappeared at the window boxer was never seen again. This scene illustrates that Animal Farm is a story about human nature, as it is a human tendency to use people to achieve certain means, but disregard them as soon as they are no longer needed. Clovers feeling for Boxer also illustrates how Animal Farm is about human nature and behavior. Clovers fondness for Boxer showed when Boxer confides in clover, admitting to her how much his split hoof hurt. Clover treated Boxers troubled hoof with poultices of herbs. After Boxers hoof had healed, he worked harder than ever. Clover tried to convince Boxer he shouldnt be working so hard and should be taking better care of his health, but Boxer paid no attention. When Boxer had his fall, Clover was first to come to his aid. For the next two days, Boxer had to stay in his stall. Clover would give him his medicine and in the evenings, she laid in his stall to talk to him. When the knackers came to get Boxer, Clover did all in her power to stop them from taking Boxer away. This example of behavior indicates the human quality of love and compassion towards others.