Animal Farm

[Eduard]

Hi there,

My name is Eduard and I am from Germany. In about a week I have to give a presentation about "Animal Farm". I thought it would be nice to discuss maybe the important part of the fable if you like.

I am not sure how the structure my presentation but of course I will start with Old Majors speech. This speech should give them a reality check. He tries to persuade them to start a rebellion. You can see that Old Major represents the communism because he calls them as "Comrades". He points all the negative aspects out like Man is the only creature who does not produce something he only consumes.
Some day later he dies. Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer are now pushing the movement on. By and by Napoleon gets rid of Snowball and becomes the Leader of Animal Farm.

A general question. It is said that Animal Farm is a comparison between different systems. The first system was a dictatorship because Jones was the only one who gave orders. The second one is a democracy. All animal are equal, at least for a short period. The third is a republic. The power was transfered to the representatives of the farm, the pigs. An the last one is again a dictatorship through the pigs. Is this right?

[togre]

It's been a while since I've read Animal Farm but I do remember clearly that it is more historic in it's scope than political. What I mean is you need to know the history of the Russian Revolution during the early 1900's to understand what he is talking about.

They started under the tzar, a absolute monarch that was somewhat oppressive and dissipate in the way it lived apart from the people.

The first revolution kicked out the tzar and placed the Provisional Government in power. This was a moderate/left-leaning democracy. It was short lived.

In the October (I think) Revolution the Bolsheviks (communists)overthrew the Provisional Government. In this phase the Communist Party was in power, but quickly Lenin gathered all power for himself. (Here I forget, did Squealer die of natural causes? Somewhere Lenin's death is represented). Later Stalin comes to power, drives out Trotsky (Snowball) who was later assassinated.

The struggle, losses and victory in the Second World War are also represented. In the end, the pigs (communists) were exploiting the animals (Russians) to live in the same elite comfort and power as the farmer (tzar) and were maybe even worse.

If I've muddled a few details of the book or Russian History, please forgive me. It has been a bit since I studied either. But I do love the way Orwell captures these massive historical events in this great novel.

[Eduard]

Personally, I rather though it is a general critism on the different forms of government. Or at least the comparison between democracy and dictatorship. I mean the fabel was written in 1943/44.

Is there a reason why there is no article use by the word "Man"?

"Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever.“

[togre]

Take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the page. There are a number of good posts there for the general discuss of what Animal Farm is about (I'm going to respectfully retain my opinion that it is a masterful allegory on the rise of communism in Russia.)

To your second question, why no article by the word "Man"? Orwell is using Marx's class warfare concepts. "Man" isn't referring to just an individual. It's the class/function of "Man". In Animal Farm, "Man" runs the show. Marxism finds the solution to the problems in the removal the "Man", the leaders/governments under which hunger/overwork. In Russia, there were these horrible situations. The solution of the Bolsheviks was to remove the tzar and the government.

[Sana Koulagasi]

[QUOTE=togre;556320] I do remember clearly that it is more historic in it's scope than political.
I just want to mention that Animal Farm has alot to do with the Russian Revolution,and I do think it's political since it talks about the Russian Revolution.

[togre]

I may have over spoken when I said Animal Farm is more historical than political. Perhaps it would have been better if I said: Animal Farm is more concerned with the specific, historic expression of the political system of communism than with discussion political systems in the abstract.

There are certainly applications and comparisons that can be made beyond just the Russian Revolution, but Orwell was critiquing a concrete situation.

Is that perhaps a better way of expressing it?

[Sana Koulagasi]

Is that perhaps a better way of expressing it?

no it's not better, it's the best way of expressing.

[The Atheist]

Just a suggestion - the Official AF homework thread at the top of the page should cover all the bases for you.

[blazeofglory]

This is indeed a beautiful book, and the writer was very allegorical in presentation.

[Roobeetron]

I agree, amazing book. I agree with Togre it is based on the russian revolution. Question, when Napolean is considering deals with the neighbouring farms, what countries does that have to do with?

Please email me if you have an answere at [email protected]
thanks

[The Atheist]

I agree, amazing book. I agree with Togre it is based on the russian revolution. Question, when Napolean is considering deals with the neighbouring farms, what countries does that have to do with?

Please email me if you have an answere at [email protected]
thanks

The farms represent the Allies - UK, USA, etc - while the other is Nazi Germany.