Animal Farm Essay Example

terrified.

(Page 54)A physical form of fear now enters Animal Farm as Napoleon's new regime of dictatorship is established. The dogs enable further manipulation, as Napoleon employs them as instruments of fear and intimidation. With their huge snarls, terrifying growls and only one loyalty, they spread fear into the animals just as Jones used to do. Orwell employs several techniques to leave this message circulating in our minds long after we have finished the book, for instance the repetition of the phrase ‘Jones will come back’. There is always a sense of dramatic irony about this expression.

The reader understands that Jones will not return, and that this is another form of manipulation and control by the pigs, but the ignorance of the animals to this fact adds a memorable sense of anger, and creates a powerful sense of irritation, which lingers in the mind. Another artful technique that Orwell uses to enforce this message is the lack of descriptive language used. For example in the compelling scene of the purges (Chapter 8) there is an incredible sparseness of metaphors, adjectives and other dramatic phrasing.This is in fact more resonant than a clutter of similes, and overwriting as you do not have to look through a veil of language, which might detract from the realism of the situation ‘Confessions and executions went on, until there was a stack of corpses at Napoleons feet’ (page78) With sparse language there is no hiding behind the words.

You are witnessing the raw dismay, which is far more eye opening and real for the reader. In addition, the juxtaposition between the blandness of the description and the terror it is

depicting is frustrating and upsetting to the reader, again making it more memorable.The second message Orwell channels through the book is the impossibility of equality. We see that although all the animals may have the best intentions for equality, and a true desire to enforce animalism, hierarchies naturally develop whether they are deliberate or not. We see this being established even before the rebellion, when Old Major delivers his inspiring speech. All the animals appear to subconsciously treat Old Major as their superior, gathering around him, hanging on his every word.

‘On a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern’.Orwell is already implying that although old Major has meaningful ideals, he is already betraying them by raising himself above the other animals, and taking the spotlight. The animals rely on his words to guide them, and are already convinced by animalism by the end of his speech. Old Major has a form of authority, as is established when Orwell states ‘Old Major was highly regarded on the farm’ (page 13).

This demonstrates that for every rebellion there has to be a leader, and for every idea there has to be someone enforce it.But the most memorable way Orwell demonstrates the impossibility of equality, is by showing the reader that we are not equal. Throughout the novel Orwell shows how inequality transcends Animal Farm, by gradually developing the differences between the animals. The pigs, although they do not start out as the leaders, with their exceptional intelligence begin to dominate the running of the farm.

Had all the animals been equal the pigs would never have obtained

this position if superiority. There are several other blatant examples of injustice like this throughout the course of the book, which the other animals are too ignorant to notice.The pigs get all the apples and milk despite doing little physical work; they get to rest or “supervise” whilst the other animals perform back breaking labour. All the animals have different abilities, and they are not and cannot be equals. Orwell uses a diverse range of techniques to enforce this message in the novel.

One that is particularly memorable to the reader is the ironic tone in the narrator’s voice. ’ It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into "Four legs good, two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches’ (page 50).The reader enjoys understanding the sarcasm and deciphering the language used by the narrator. The dramatic irony however is very aggravating to the reader and can border on stressful and upsetting at times, for instance, when Boxer is taken away to the slaughterhouse.

’ The animals crowded round the van “Goodbye Boxer” they chorused’ (page 104). These are very powerful emotions to be able to conjure, and the reader will remember what made them feel so strongly. If we delve deeper into the techniques Orwell uses we see that the entire context of the book can be used to make this message memorable.The allegory of the book, representing historical figures as animals, is a very inventive technique. Not only is Orwell portraying the people involved in the Russian revolution as those of different ideals and classes, but as entirely different species.

The politicians are pigs, the humans royalty etc. Orwell is

exaggerating the differences between the parties involved, by portraying them as different races. This is a very transparent way of getting the message of inequality across. It is simplified, making it more accessible and understandable (and is more likely that the reader will remember the moral of the story).Another very resonant theme in Animal Farm is that language is one of the most powerful tools one can use.

Squealer, one of Napoleon’s greatest tools, manipulates language in order to justify that what Napoleon does and says is right (as he represents propaganda in the USSR). He is able to talk to the uneducated animals on the farm, using complicated words in order to confuse them and perplex them. He teaches the sheep to say, "Four legs good, two legs better! " (Page 113) in order to brainwash and intimidate the other animals, and limit debate.He is a powerful and persuasive speaker, who is able to exploit the animal’s illiteracy, and twist words around for the benefit of Napoleon. Another example of the manipulative use of language is the use of the word ‘comrades’.

This term is originally used by Old Major to enforce his ideal of equality amongst animals. The pigs are then able to turn Old Major’s ideology into a means of manipulation. By using this word to address the other animals, it creates the illusion of equality on the farm, one that the pigs are deliberately trying to sustain.Orwell very cleverly illustrates these manipulative and abusive aspects of language he uses. By creating simple and memorable phrases, he engages the reader, and by subverting them, he angers the reader. It becomes more frustrating

when he subverts the main principles of Animalism, for example the altering of the commandments in the novel e.

g. ‘No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. ’ (Page 95) . Not only is Orwell provoking the reader with the blatant corruption of the pigs, but he is also using the animal’s ignorance to upset us.

The vulnerability of the animals ensures that the reader is sympathetic to them, and their subsequent exploitation is more moving. By altering these commandments, Orwell is creating a very memorable and emotive mood. This leads onto the second technique Orwell uses to enforce this message. By creating characters we care for or despise, Orwell has the opportunity to toy with our emotions. The more corrupt the pigs become, the more we loath them. The more abused the other animals are by the pigs, the more powerless and upset we feel.

Boxer cried “I will work harder”’ (page 34).The animals’ lack of education and vulnerability means we can almost associate them with children. This is a very powerful connection to make, and by harming the weak and defenceless characters, Orwell has the ability to conjure very compelling emotions. The messages in the book, though it was written over 50 years ago, are growing more and more relevant. Though the book was directly paralleled with the rise and fall of Communism in the USSR, there is an overwhelming resemblance of Animal Farm to current affairs as well.

Dictatorships continue to exist across the globe, and the rise to power of a dictator can be compared to that of Napoleon. For instance, in the Arab Spring (2013) the people over threw their tyrannical dictators,

in hope of better treatment of the working classes. In spite of having one purpose in mind during the first days of the revolution, the Arab parties have competed for leadership in the same way as Napoleon and Snowball did when they set to build the windmill. Despite the best intentions, the Arab nations have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

The situation has worsened, and there is now more poverty and civil disarray than ever. Even whilst the nations were in a state of flux there have been single parties creeping into power. Their ideals were corrupted by power and they became the people they hate, just like in Animal Farm. The fact Animal Farm is an allegorical fable, makes it more accessible, and applicable to recent events.

It is as relevant today as it ever was. The novel conveys the fact that inequality will always be present; there will always be ignorant people who blindly follow immoral causes, just as there will always be those who manipulate those around them.