Adystopia is a futuristic or imagined society where the citizens are exposed to oppressive control from their government or other societal institution (Dystopias: Definitions and Characteristics). Many dystopian novels have been written with the purpose of exposing negative elements of a past/present society, or warning of a negative futuristic society. Animal Farm is a 1945 dystopian novel by George Orwell which takes the approach of exposing previous totalitarian societies The novel addresses a farm of animals taking control from their owner, Mr. Jones, and establishing their own society while governing it themselves. Throughout the story, the events highlight several aspects from both Soviet Communism and German Nazism of the first half of the 20’“ century. In order to drive home significant political warnings, George Orwell uses Animal Farm as an allegory for the events surrounding Soviet Communism and their interactions with Nazi Germany and also includes similarities to expose evils in the Nazi regime.
As an allegory, the events of Animal Farm depict the events of the Russian Revolution almost exactly. To begin with, Major represents Vladimir Lenin and his interest in bringing power back into the hands of the workers Instead of Lenin supporLing the workers to rebel against the original government of Russia, Major peaks the animals’ curiosity in freedom and urges a movement to rebel against all men Once Major passes away, the term ‘animalism’ is coined (representing Soviet Communism) and the Seven Commandments are issued. Most notably is the 7‘“ commandment which states, “All animals are equal,“ similar to the practice in Communism in which all workers are equal.
Once the revolution is set in motion, Snowball and Napoleon reflect Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin, respectively. Snowball channels the desire to improve the quality of life for all animals through his proposition to build a windmill; symbolic ofTrotsky’s plan to implement Marxist ideas through industrialization which could possibly spark a worldwide movement. In Soviet Russia, Stalin knocks Trotsky’s ideas, forces Trotsky out of the country, and then capitalizes on Trotsky’s industrial plan for himself. Similarly, Napoleon turns his guard dogs (representative of the KGB) upon Snowball during a debate, which causes Snowball to flee from Animal Farm. Eventually, Napoleon takes credit for the windmill idea and plans to have it constructed.
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Through almost every turn in the book, the events of Animal Farm demonstrate a directly parallel to the events which occurred during the Russian Revolution with the implementation of Soviet Communism, Animal Farm reflects the regime of Nazi Germany in both an allegorical and an implied context. As an allegory, Nazi Germany is represented by Pinchfield and Adolf Hitler is represented by Mr. Frederick, In reality, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin entered a non-aggression pact, only to be discarded when the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union (German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact). In the novel, Napoleon and Mr. Frederick engage in a trade agreement which seems to be a signal of good faith However, Frederick eventually destroys this faith by initiating an attack on Animal Farm.
The animals managed to hold off Mr. Frederick’s attack, but they cannot do so before their windmill is destroyed The Battle of Windmill is symbolic of how the Soviets were able to hold off the Nazis, but incurred significant deaths and damages before being able to do so Similar to the parallel to the Soviets, the novel also serves as a direct allegory to the tensions between the Soviets and the Nazis, In addition, Animal Farm uses elements from Nazi Germany to make an implied connection between the novel and the actual history of events. Most notably, the character of Squealer connects to the Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. In the novel, Squealer is a propaganda machine which helps Napoleon establish totalitarian control over the other animals. Squealer is sent out to explain any “new” policies, which are typically legitimized on account of the animals simply having a lapse of memory when in reality the policies are being manipulated.
In one instance, it is discovered that Squealer is the one manipulating the Seven Commandments when necessary to allow the newest behaviors of the pigs This character is highly similar to Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda for the Nazi Party. Two of Joseph Goebbels’ own quotes specifically define the events of Nazi Germany and Animal Farm, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it” and “It is not propaganda’s task to be intelligent, its task is to lead to success” (Goebbels) Both quotes demonstrate the true intent of Squealer and Goebbels. Both were solely interested in making the public believe what was necessary in order for the leadership to maintain total power.
Once the public bought into the lies, they were merely defenseless against the totalitarian aggressors. The dystopian novel Animal Farm significantly reflects Soviet Communism and German Nazism through both allegorical and implied contexts. The rebellion of the animals on Manor Farm (ultimately Animal Farm) resembles the Bolshevik revolution of Russia and the communism which is installed in the eventually USSRr. In addition, the growing tensions between Hitler‘s Germany and Stalin‘s Soviet Union are reflected by the tension between Napoleon’s Animal Farm and Mr. Frederick’s Pinchfield. The tensions ultimately culminate in battle, just as they did during World War 11.
Finally, the story takes on an implied context by using elements from Nazi Germany; however, not specifically using an allegory to represent them Through the character development of Squealer, George Orwell develops many of the qualities of Nazi propaganda leader Joseph Goebbels even though the character of Squealer would technically fit into the allegory as Russian propaganda Through the use of his characters and symbols, George Orwell uses Animal Farm to uniquely portray the events of Soviet. Communism and Nazi Germany by exposing the political evils which held led up to World War II. By exposing these disasters, George Orwell allows his allegory to warn the public of Lhe dangers of letting a similar situation occur again in the future. Such an allegory serves as a lesson in dystopias in which all people should heed as this is one instance in which not a single soul would desire history to repeat itself.
