Animal Farm Essay Research Paper SETTING The — страница 4

Mollie, who has been spoiled by human beings and asks the stupidest of questions; Moses, who claims to know the existence of a country called Sugarcandy Mountain to which all animals go after death; and Boxer and Clover, faithful disciples who lead the singing of the anthem, are all individualized. However, it is Snowball and Major who emerge as the leaders of the animals; but they are very different in personality. Snowball is devoted and sincere, working for the welfare of others; as the diligent organizer on the farm, he is much like Trotsky. On the other hand, Napoleon is power-hungry and leads with an iron fist. He becomes a totalitarian despot, much like Stalin or Hitler. Together they created the Seven Commandments of Animalism, based on Major’s teachings, Marxism, and

the Communist Manifesto. The second chapter also describes Manor Farm as the perfect setting for the utopian community that Old Major dreamed about. It is pleasant in appearance, pastoral in appeal, and isolated enough to prevent outside interference. Under the leadership of Napoleon and Snowball, the rebellion quickly takes place here almost by accident, and the farm is transformed into Animal Farm. Orwell skillfully brings out the feeling of neglect leading to rebellion in just two paragraphs. There is some resistance to the new way of things on Animal Farm. Mollie symbolizes the ‘don’t care-type,’ who has no interest for reform which interferes with personal pleasure or comfort. Moses, the raven, represents the class who resists any change and becomes a symbol of

organized religion. In contrast, Boxer and Clover, the faithful work horses, represent the selfless, sincere party-workers who put the cause of the party above themselves. Although they do not have great intelligence, they are respected for their strength, open-heartedness, dedication, and steadfastness. Like most simple and gullible beings, they are easily persuaded and convinced. It is important to notice the irony that begins to take shape in the second chapter. Animal Farm should be the perfect place for a utopian society, but in the hands of the animals it becomes a terrible place ruled by a tyrant. At first the animals hate the farmhouse, where Jones lived with his horrible whips and whiskey; later the animals will move into the farmhouse, and Napoleon will walk on his hind

legs and carry a whip. The animals believe that humans are the cause of all their problems; but over time, the animals become very human and do themselves in. The animals believe the pigs to be the best leaders, for they talk intelligently; in truth, their talk covers their motives. Old Major’s ideals, expressed in his speech, are noble; but in the “hands” of Napoleon, they become evil. The Seven Commandments are supposedly unalterable, but they are later altered by the evil leaders for their own good. The commandments are also not really a philosophy, but mere propaganda. It is also important to notice the style of the second chapter. The quick pace involves the reader and creates a believable suspension of reason and logic, giving the story the feel of a fairy tale that

teaches that selfishness, pride, and hypocrisy are hard to eliminate from society. Since these are timeless weaknesses of mankind, the story becomes a timeless tale of society’s corruption throughout history, not just in the time of Marx, Stalin, or Lenin. CHAPTER 3 The third Chapter begins with the efforts of the animals being rewarded at harvestime. Despite the unsuitability of the implements they use, they work hard and surmount every difficulty. Because of their superior knowledge, the pigs do not actually do the labor, but direct and supervise. Boxer works the hardest. He asks the cockerels to give him a ‘wake-up-call’ early each morning, and his answer to every problem is to work harder. The harvest turns out to be the largest that the farm has ever seen. There is no

wastage and no stealing. On Sundays, the animals do not work. After breakfast, which is an hour later than usual, there is the raising of the flag decorated by a hoof and horn and symbolizing the power of the animals. After the hoisting of the flag, the animals attend a meeting where they plan the work for the next week, debate, and resolve problems. They even vote on important issues, even though most of the animals do not understand what they are voting for. The two leaders, Napoleon and Snowball, do understand the issues and are very vocal in their debates; however, they never agree, foreshadowing their later struggle for power and control. The meeting always ends with the singing of ‘Beasts of England.’ In the afternoon, there is time for recreation. The pigs have set