Themes in Animal Farm

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Themes in Animal Farm

Animal Farm profoundly reflects on the Russian Revolution of 1917. The book contains intense satire and allegory that have been fused to bring out various themes. Some of the themes introduced in the story include:

1. Social Class stratification and warfare

This theme is portrayed precisely when the animals divide themselves into the rulers and the workers. Examples in the story where the theme is portrayed include:

1. • The pigs eat apples and milk because they feel superior
   • The farm grew rich, but only the pigs became wealthy
   • There was a saying that all animals were equal, but some more than others were
   • There was a division of intellectual and physical labor as the pigs considered themselves the intellects
2. Totalitarianism and Corruption in Socialism

Totalitarian rulers are keen on maintaining their power at the expense of others. Examples of the theme in the story are:

1. • The rise to power by the pigs has been allegorized to Joseph Stalin, the Russian dictator
   • The horse is eliminated in order to solidify the pig’s power, just like Stalin eliminated enemies
   • The pigs abandoned the seven commandments; similarly, Stalin rejected principles of the Russian Revolution.
   • The pigs eventually become like humans, which is ironic. Stalin went against logic and ideals, just like the pigs.
2. Abuse of language to get power

This theme demonstrates how language has been used by the characters to control the rest of the animals (Mills 46). Below are instances where this theme is evident:

1. • All animals are equal, but others are more equal
   • Squealer twists words to make it seem that animals can make wrong decisions and should let Napoleon make decisions.
   • Napoleon turns the animals against Snowball
   • The pigs convince the animals that they take milk and apples for their sake

Work Cited

Mills, Catriona. Animal Farm. Sydney: Insight Publications, 2009. Print.