Essay About Author George Orwell And Purpose Of A Revolution

Animal Rights
Essay title: Animal Rights
The purpose of a revolution, as history has shown, is to fight some sort of political
or social injustice suffered by a group of the general public. Typically a minority of the
population, in search of a better lifestyle fights back against the oppression they have
been forced to endure. History is full of countless examples of this. Two such notable
revolutions are the French and Russian movements, though they occurred at completely
different time periods they share common similarities. Many times in the course of a
revolution the initial goals of the revolting group are enjoyed and for a short period of
time a general sense of accomplishment is felt by the induction of new ideas. However as
seen in the French and Russian revolutions the leadership that was so strongly opposed is
returned to power with little change noted on the surface.
Author George Orwell in his recent novel Animal Farm writes a very effective
political allegory of not only the Russian Revolution but of movements of the same
nature. So transparent are the obvious links to the revolution that it took the acclaimed
author several publisher rejections, including his own, to finally find one who would
publish his book. Included in the reasons for rejection were the fear of the impact on
wartime needs and policies, and the opinion that Orwells satirical view was to strong
given the present political climate. None the less the novel was published by Frederic
Warburg, and rightfully so, as the tale of the Animal Farm is written to almost perfection
and has been called by many one of the best written books of our time.
The Russian revolution is one of the only revolutions in history that can be
compared to the French revolution in size and outcome. Orwells impression of such a
movement seems to be clouded by his negative interpretation of the actions of those in
power. Animal Farms use of satirical attacks on the revolution and its key players is a
perfect depiction of Orwells and those outside of Russia, especially in Britain, view.
Orwells story at the Manor farm takes the reader through the course of a revolution, from
Marxist views to the reign of Stalin or in his story Napoleon.
Through what Orwell calls a fairy tale, his characters represent the major figures
and themes of Russia under the revolution. The character Mr. Jones is the cruel and
irresponsible farmer who mistreated his animals and who was suffering from financial
difficulties, can clearly be a representation of Czar Nicholas II. Who as we all know was
at best a poor leader unable to properly govern. Karl Marxs socialist order and ideas of
communism and equality that take front and center stage in Russia are the driving force
behind the initial revolutionary ideas in history and the novel. Marxist views are solely
brought to the forefront by the character Old Major who inspires the revolution and like
Marx devises the concept of animalism a clear parallel to communism. Animalism
preaches the equality of all animals, wild or domestic no matter the circumstances.
Unfortunately like communism, the human (in this case the animal) tendency for a
hierarchy of some sort quickly abolishes the ideas of equality. Orwells ability