Animal Farm in 2012
Allegory has been used by George Orwell by giving a
symbolic meaning to all the characters from Animal Farm and the events in which
they have participated related to the events that happened during the Russian revolution.
In the second chapter, the rebellion of the animals is
directly related to the revolution that the Bolsheviks, represented by the main
pigs, committed against Mr. Jones who personifies the Zar, also the Seven
Commandments represented ideals like “All animals are equal” which represented
a communist utopian desire. In the third chapter, the co-operation of the animals,
especially the horses that represent the hard workers, is appreciated as an
allegory because unity was also seen in the people during the Russian
revolution after the Zar was overthrown. At the same time, the deceits and injustices
about the possession of the milk and apples by the pigs are observed and
symbolize the management of power during the Bolsheviks’ government. Finally,
in the fourth chapter a major event is symbolized, this is the conflict between
the animals and the farmers in the “Battle of the Cowshed” which directly
represents the battles during Russia’s civil war between the red army (the
animals) and the white army (humans).
In my personal opinion, this story is extremely effective
as an allegory because the characters and the events are linked to the Russian
revolution in all aspects. This story also makes us think about the common
mistakes that happened years ago and it helps us not to commit them again.
For the next exercise the theme I chose of Animal Farm
was the fight for power and this theme relates to an important current event
that is the Civil War in Syria. What is happening is that the Baath government
from Syria is now fighting against the opponents of the regime.
This conflict
started some years before; the Baath government has been in power since 1970
and it exerts an authoritarian regime with a monopoly in all the political
parties and also it does not allow the Western policy of economy which could
help Syria. Hafez al-Assad has been ruling the country since 1970 until his
dead in 2000, then in the same year his son was elected as president but the
majority of the country does not want this measure. They are against the
dictatorship of the Baath government because they enjoy the pleasures of power;
they do not control power correctly and also show poor interest in the country.
Because of this, the “Syrian National Coalition” was founded to fight for the
power of the country. As we can see, power is not used in a fair way as in
Animal Farm with the humans. It isn’t the same example but we observe that the
abuse suffered by the animals is similar to the one that the Syrian country
suffers. Not only the animals, it is also seen in the Russian revolution. The
Russians against the Zar regime, the animals against the humans and finally the
Syrian country against the Baath government. All of them fight for power, to
have it and try to use it in a correct way. In this example, the animals
represent the people from Syria because they are all united by a leader who is
Ahmad Yarba and similar of what Old Major proposes, the Syrians have been
influenced by him and they are making a revolution.
You have chosen a fascinating subject and drawn very clear links to support your thesis that the events in Syria are part of an ongoing struggle by the majority for fairer treatment. Very good work.
ResponderEliminarAlways remember that the easiest way to organise your ideas to write effectively is to choose a couple of main points with clear examples and offer concise analysis. This will help focus your argument.