Animal Farm Lecture Notes

Overview

• Animal Farm: Simple, plainly written tale of animals rising up to take control of their own destiny.
• Allegory: Represents Soviet Union's transition from communism to totalitarian rule, and challenges of self-governance globally.

About George Orwell

• Real Name: Eric Arthur Blair
• Born: June 25, 1903, in India
• Background:
  • Served with the Imperial Indian Police in Burma
  • Fought in the Spanish Civil War
  • WWII correspondent for the BBC
• Inspiration: Class struggles and inequalities in England

Structure and Plot

• Parallels: The Russian Revolution
• Satire: Uses animals to represent real-life figures and ideologies
• Main Events:
  • Old Major: Envisions animal rebellion and self-rule, teaches 'Beasts of England' song.
  • Rebellion: Animals overthrow Mr. Jones, the negligent farmer.
  • Battle of Kaushin: Animals defend the farm from humans.
  • Leadership Struggle: Pigs Snowball and Napoleon compete for control.
    • Napoleon's Rise: Uses propaganda (via Squealer) and poor education to expel Snowball and assume power.
    • Windmill: Initiated by Snowball, later controlled by Napoleon.
    • Collusion with Humans: Napoleon collaborates with humans for supplies.
    • Second Battle: Attacked by Farmer Frederick; windmill destroyed.
  • Boxer's Fate: The hardworking horse is sent to slaughter; animals are deceived about his end.
  • Ending: Original doctrine reduced to "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others". Pigs indistinguishable from humans.

Symbols and Their Meanings

• Animal Names: Represent their actions/power
• Milk and Apples: Riches and material wealth
• Windmill: Labor
• Old Major's Skull: Soviet history
  • Similar to Lenin's body after death
• Mr. Jones’s Rifle: Victory trophy over former masters (humans)

Themes

• Corruption: Power corrupts Napoleon and his circle.
• Exploitation: Working class exploited by ruling elites.
• Deception: Propaganda and historical manipulation by Napoleon and Squealer.
• Idealism: Initial dreams of equality and revolution.
• Apathy: Leads to rise of dictatorship; illustrated by Benjamin the donkey’s cynicism.

Conclusion

• Animal Farm: A study of the Soviet Union, the Russian Revolution, and a broader allegory on self-rule and government structures.
• Cautionary Tale: Warns of the perils of power.