Literature Analysis #3

Animal Farm 

1. Summery

 Even animals can be subdued by the power of corruption. This is the sad result of the pigs (will make sense later) in Animal Farm. The story starts out on Manor Farm (a farm with several kinds of animals) where "Major" an old but wise pig inspires his fellow "commrads" to seek a new life where all animals are equal and the "enemy" (humans or specifically Mr. Jones the farm owner) no longer controls their short lives under an iron fist. He talks about a great rebellion and soon after passes away. This rebellion doesn't take long to occur and once its ended the animals have defeated the "enemy" and taken over the farm for themselves. The pigs develop a system of thought called "Animalism" which are basically direct teachings from old Major. Like you already know this idea of equality doesn't last long. The two top pigs Napoleon and Snowball struggle for power and even though Snowball can make more convincing speeches Napoleon eventually wins by using bruit force (9 large veracious dogs that he stole when they were pups) and chases Snowball off the farm. As you can imagine Napoleon starts to get more and more comfortable in his dictatorship (basically what it is now) and starts breaking all the rules that Animalism was founded on. He and the other pigs start drinking, trading with humans, wearing clothing, sleeping in Mr. Jones's house and killing other animals (that questioned his authority). "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others", this is the famous line in the book and sums up the ideology formed by the pigs at the end of the book. We end the book with animals looking through a window at Napoleon and  a human both playing cards and not being able to tell the difference. 

2.Theme

Power corrupts. Even though the animals started out looking for equality and a life where everyone is equal, it only lead to the same result (debatably worse). The only difference is this time they labored and suffered to get there. 

3.Tone

His tone is very interesting because he is writing about a very serious topic (Russian Revolution) with a very comedic setting (animals taking control of a farm and communicating with humans). "Will there still be sugar after the Rebellion?". "Four legs good, two legs bad!". "Panic overtook them, and the next moment all the animals were chasing them...they were gored, kicked, bitten, trampled on...".

4. Literary elements

Allusion: The great "Rebellion" is a giant allusion to the Russian Revolution and serves as the main reason for this fable in the first place. "Commrads"

Antagonist: Without a main character we can look at the main antagonist for the animals as a whole which would be humans (pigs are basically humans in the end so it can still apply). The "enemy" as they call them.

Character: There are several main characters. Boxer the loyal and strong (not that smart but descent) horse, who is later sold to the glue factory to buy more whiskey for the pigs. Napoleon the farm's eventual dictator and becomes so corrupt as to become almost identical to a human. Mollie a unintelligent mare whose only concern is sugar and ribbons who eventually leaves the farm for another. Benjamin the wise old donkey that's always grumpy. He knows much but he never does anything with it. He doesn't seem to care about much throughout the book and the only time he actually really does something is right before his friend (boxer) is taken off to be slaughtered. He tries to tell the other animals but its to late.

Dialogue: Is used often when Napoleon and Snowball where trying to win over their fellow animals. "And shall I still be allowed to wear ribbons...?" asked Mollie. " "Comrade," said Snowball,"those ribbons...are the badge of slavery...liberty is worth more than ribbons?" Mollie agreed, but she did not sound very convinced.

Genre: Is a fable, allegory, and satire. The book is all about animals and teaching us a lesson (fable). Its an allegory to the Russian Revolution and its very satirical of the whole idea of the revolution and the ideas behind it. 

Irony: The most ironic part of the book is the fact that the very animals that claimed to want equality for all (pigs) become the very thing that created inequality in the first place, humans. 

Narrative: Animal Farm is series of events with a beginning, a dream where all animals are treated equally, and an end, where inequality is reached once again.

Personification: The animals are a clear sign of giving animals human characteristics. They walk on two legs like humans, they read and write, and they develop and organize ideas. 

Allegory: Animal Farm is a fable and an extended metaphor to the Russian Revolution with many symbols. The pigs use propaganda to trick the other animals and the dumber animals are a symbol for the common people or the lower cast of society. 

 Setting: Takes place on a farm that is ruled by one man (Mr. Jones) who is drunk all the time and brutal to his animals. The animals do all the work while Jones spends the profits on drink. Its a perfect situation for a Revolution.