Animal Farm

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory that mirrors events in Russia during the revolutions of 1917. Animal Farm was published in 1943, during the Second World War, as a fairy tale, because of the political stand point of Orwell. Orwell uses several characters that represent Russian figures, Old Major, Snowball, and Napoleon.
Old Major is a prized Middle White Boar that Orwell used to represent Karl Marx. Old Major is introduced at the start of the book as a wise and respected pig. “He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic- looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance.” (pg.26) During a meeting Old Major had assembled, he spoke of rebellion against the human race,   and he taught the basics to animalism. “‘And, above all, no animal must ever tyrannize over his own kind... All animals are equal.’” He believed that the farm should be ran by the Animals and the working class to own all means of production. He ends the meeting with Beast of England, and three days later Old Major died.
Karl Marx was a political theorist, and the author of The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848. In the communist manifesto Karl Marx explains the main goals in communism. PUT IN QUOTE Karl Marx believed there had to be a rebellion for there to be a revolution. Karl Marx ends the Communist Manifesto with “ “Workers of the World, Unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains!” meaning that the working class needs to unite and rebel against the bourgeoisie. However, Marx died in 1883, several years before the first revolution in February 1917.
Orwell uses a young pig, Snowball, to represent Leon Trotsky. Orwell introduces Snowball as an important character after Old Major died. “Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive…” (pg.35) Snowball truly believed in a animalism and aimed to improve life for the working class and to spread animalism to other farms. He also led the animals to...