Animal Farm is widely regarded as a ""satirical allegory"" of the Soviet revolution. The Soviet revolution marked the genesis of Bolshevism. The ideology of Bolshevism is represented in the adoption of Animalism in the novel. Orwell uses characters, symbols, events and concepts that reference the Bolshevik revolution and its aftermath.
Characters
The pigs are the leaders of the farm, following in the legacy of Old Major. Old Major agitates for revolution and is highly influential among the animals. One school of thought suggests that Old Major could represent the influence of Karl Marx or Lenin. Napoleon assumes leadership of post-revolution Animal Farm with Snowball. As the devious and villainous pig, Napoleon represents Stalin's role in Soviet affairs. Snowball is based primarily on Trotsky. Squealer is the most prominent of the lesser pigs-the political spin doctor for Napoleon.
All the animals on the farm allude to either a person or a concept. Boxer, for example, just represents the average man- buying into Stalin's propaganda and working hard for the benefit of the country. However, even the conscientious worker is dispensable, as Boxer's final treatment demonstrates. Most of the animals are sketched as uneducated. The ones that are wise and literate realise what's happening (like Benjamin and Muriel), but do not openly complain since they understand the consequences of opposing Napoleon. This is a direct reference to Stalin's treatment of political opponents (demonstrated in this novel by the execution of The Rebel Pigs). The sheep, foolish and servile, represent the masses that were obedient to Stalin.
The humans represent other countries with systems of inequality that do not recognise the Soviet State at first. The changing dynamic between the humans and the pig leadership on Animal Farm denotes the political games played between the Soviet and other major nations over time. The relationship between Animal Farm and other farms is on of unease and distrust, even though it appears to be an association of convenience.
Events
The notable Battle of the Cowshed, Mr. Jones' attempt to reclaim the farm is linked to the Russian Civil War, where soldiers aided by Western governments, were sent to overthrow the Bolsheviks. The rise of Hitler would have precipitated a decline in hostility towards the Soviets, since they were significant Allies in World War Two. This was evident in the subsequent civility in the interaction between the pigs and humans.
The debate between Snowball and Napoleon over farm decisions illustrates the opposing views of Stalin and Trotsky about the way forward. Trotsky was in favour of the idea of a permanent revolution by influencing neighbouring countries to do the same, while Stalin was insistent on developing military might. Some of the more significant historical references in Animal Farm include the alteration to the tenets of Animalism, the hens destroying their own eggs (as Ukrainian peasants did their crops and farms) and Napoleon bestowing himself with titles and awards.
Symbols
The songs used in Animal Farm were used to engender a national spirit and pacify the people, similar to the songs of the revolution in the Soviet state. The changing of the national songs on the farm extrapolated from Stalin's commissioning of the ""Hymn of the Soviet Union"" to replace ""The Internationale"". Animal Farm's horn and hoof flag on a sold green background was a parody of the Soviet's hammer and sickle on a solid red background. After Lenin's death, his embalmed body was placed in the Red Square. Similarly, Old Major's skull was displayed on a tree stump on Animal Farm.
Interestingly, it is thought that Orwell used broader references in Animal Farm as well. His naming of the villainous pig as ""Napoleon"" could have been a reference to the French Emperor who had a reputation as a dictatorial and ruthless leader. Even though Animal Farm is an allegory for the Bolshevik revolution, Orwell used it to illustrate that ""absolute power corrupts absolutely"".
Darrell Victor is a freelance writer from the Caribbean
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