Question by Joey G: I am so confused! Is Animal Farm an allegory of the Russian Revolution or Stalin’s rise to power?
My English teacher said that it was an allegory of the Russian Revolution, but I thought it was an allegory of Stalin’s rise to power (Napoleon rose to power). And didn’t the Russian Revolution take place before Stalin rose to power?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Desiree
I think both because the animals having a meeting and coming up with “Four legs good; two legs bad” could be an analogy for the Marxist Revolution. Then when Napoleon the pig rose to power and corrupted the system the animals had made, this could an analogy for Starlin rising to power and corrupting Russia. But the whole story was meant to put communism in a negative light because Orwell was paranoid about communism taking over the West.
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
brainstorm says
You are making a good point.
Stalin was a fairly minor player in the Russian Revolution.
His first job was Commissar for the Nationalities which did not carry much power.
However Animal Farm is an allegory for all revolutions in which the hopes and aspirations of the masses are betrayed by ruthless and ambitious people who often rise to the top and pervert the original aims of the revolution.
Although George Orwell came from an upper class English family and was educated at the most expensive school (Eton) he was a Socialist and remained one all his life.
not a top con & says
Stalin was part of the Russian Revolution.
The biggest problem with Animal Farm is that English teachers, not being history teachers, inevitably over exaggerate how direct the allegory is.
Dane says
Animal Farm begins with the revolution, the ideals of which were instilled in the animals by Old Major, likely a representation of Marx. The Revolution was originally led by Lenin, depicting as Snowball in the book. However, as we see the story progress we see this ideals betrayed as Napoleon (Stalin) rises to power. While Animal Farm is staunch anti-Soviet novel, you must also remember that Orwell did believe in the ideals of that revolution, as he was a Socialist himself. It is not an attack on Socialism, but more truly stating that Stalin and his government were not socialist.
Lili says
Stalin's rise to power was a consequence of the Russian Revolution. In "Animal Farm," events are necessarily somewhat compressed — they take place faster than the Revolution and Stalian's seizure of power did — but both issues are present.