ANIMAL FARM, George Orwell

George Orwell

George Orwell (1903–1950) was born in India into a middle-class family. When he was a child, he was brought in England, where he studied. In 1922 he served with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. He didn’t like class division and British colonialism. In 1928 he chose to live among the poor in London and in Paris and he wrote some articles and novels about his life’s experience. In 1936 fought with the Republicans against Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. He narrated his experience in Homage to Catalonia.

Orwell was a democratic socialist and he criticized totalitarianism, especially Joseph Stalin and his brutal dictatorship.

 He wrote many works of non-fiction and fiction. His most famous novels are 1984 and Animal Farm.

Animal farm is a political fable in the form of an allegory: it describes the revolt of the animals on a farm, which expel their cruel human master and resolve to run it themselves on Socialist principles.

Characters

Mr. Jones – A heavy drinker who is the original owner of Manor Farm, a farm in disrepair with farmhands who often loaf on the job. He is an allegory of Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who abdicated following the February Revolution of 1917 and was murdered, along with the rest of his family, by the Bolsheviks on 17 July 1918.

Old Major – Old Major is a wise old pig whose exciting speech to the animals helps set the rebellion in motion even though he dies before the rebellion actually begins. Old Major and his role compare with Karl Marx (creator of communism), whose ideas set the communist Revolution in effect, and Vladimir Lenin, the communist leader of the Russian Revolution and the early Soviet nation.

Napoleon –A fierce-looking pig, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way. He is an allegorical parallel of Joseph Stalin, and he emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after the Rebellion.

Snowball – Napoleon’s rival and original head of the farm after Jones' defeat. He is mainly based on Leon Trotsky, but also combines elements from Lenin.

Squealer – A small, white, fat porker who serves as Napoleon's second-in-command and minister of Propaganda, holding a position similar to Vyacheslav Molotov.

PLOT

A wise and aged boar, Old Major, is one of the animals working on Mr. Jones's Manor Farm. One day he meets all the animals of the farm in the barn to tell them of a dream he has had the night before. But, before speaking of his dream, he reminds them that all animals’ lives are “miserable, laborious and short”. They must, therefore, "work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrown of the human race!". He then tells them his dream, the dream of a farm where animals work and live happily together, without the control of man.

Three nights later Old Major dies peacefully and his body is buried at the foot of the orchard. Soon after his death the socialism he had proposed is drastically altered. Three young pigs, Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer, take over the leadership; they change the name of the farm to "Animal Farm", and reduce the principles of the new philosophy to Seven Commandments.

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy;
2. whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend;
3. No animal shall wear clothes;
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets;
5. No animal shall drink alcohol in excess;
6. No animal shall kill any other animal without a cause;
7. All animals are equal.

One night, all the animals of the farm — inspired by Old Major’s philosophy of Animalism —join in a hard battle, defeat Mr. Jones and run him off the farm. At first Animal Farm prospers, and when Mr. Jones tries to take back his land, the animals definitely defeat him. Initially, the rebellion is a success: the animals complete the harvest and meet every Sunday to debate farm policy. The pigs, because of their intelligence, become the supervisors of the farm. As time passes, however, Napoleon proves to be a power-hungry leader who steals the cows’ milk and a number of apples to feed himself and the other pigs.

Napoleon and Snowball begin to struggle with each other to obtain the leadership, and Snowball the intelligent, but too idealistic leader is eventually sent into exile. It is better to see that animals are open to the same ambitions as men in human civilized society. Napoleon assumes the leadership. All Napoleon's opponents are punished with death; the story of the animals’ rebellion is re-written to make Snowball appear as a traitor and a villain. Napoleon and his supporters begin acting as human beings: they sleep in beds, drink alcohol and begin trading with the neighboring farmers. Squealer, a pig with the ability to persuade the other animals that the pigs are always moral and correct in their decisions, tells everybody that Napoleon is a great leader, though the animals are now, as before the rebellion, hungry and overworked. In the course of time the Seven commandments are reduced to one: " ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS". The name "Animal Farm" is changed back to "Manor Farm"; Napoleon asks to dinner a neighboring farmer, Mr. Pilkington, who has finally come to accept the revolution, and other rich farmers, and declares that he will ally with them against the lower classes. A group of common animals, looking at the scene from the window, can no longer distinguish pigs from men.

THE FINAL PARTY

[…] They tiptoed up to the house, and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window.		[…] In punta di piedi si portarono vicino la casa e quelli che erano abbastanza alti spiarono attraverso la finestra della sala da pranzo.
There, round the long table, sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs.		Là, attorno alla lunga tavola, sedevano una mezza dozzina di agricoltori e una mezza dozzina o più di eminenti maiali.
Napoleon himself occupying the seat of honour at the head of the table.		Napoleon occupava il posto d’onore a capotavola.
The pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs.		I maiali apparivano totalmente a proprio agio sulle sedie.
The company had been enjoying a game of cards but had broken off for the moment, evidently in order to drink a toast.		La compagnia stava giocando una partita a carte, ma l’avevano momentaneamente sospesa, evidentemente per brindare.
A large jug was circulating, and the mugs were being refilled with beer.		Circolava una grande anfora e i bicchieri venivano riempiti di birra.
No one noticed the wondering faces of the animals that gazed in at the window.		Nessuno si accorse delle facce sorprese degli animali che spiavano dalla finestra.
Mr. Pilkington, of Foxwood, had stood up, his mug in his hand.		Il signor Pilkington, di Foxwood, si era alzato, reggendo il bicchiere.
In a moment, he said, he would ask the present company to drink a toast, but before doing so, there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say.		Fra un istante, egli disse, avrebbe chiesto alla compagnia presente di fare un brindisi ma prima di farlo, sentiva il dovere di pronunciare alcune parole.
It was a source of great satisfaction to him, he said - and, he was sure, to all others present - to feel that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding had now come to an end.		Era per lui motivo di grande soddisfazione, disse - e, ne era sicuro, per tutti gli altri presenti - di sentire che il lungo periodo di diffidenza e d’incomprensione fosse ormai giunto al termine.
There had been a time - not that he, or any of the present company, had shared such sentiments – but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded, he would not say with hostility, but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving, by their human neighbours.		C'era stato un tempo - non che lui o alcuno dei presenti avesse condiviso tali sentimenti - ma c'era stato un tempo in cui i rispettabili proprietari della Fattoria degli Animali erano stati guardati, non con ostilità, ma forse con qualche sospetto dai vicini umani.
Unfortunate incidents had occurred, mistaken ideas had been current. […]		Si erano verificati sfortunati incidenti, c’erano state idee errate. […]
But all such doubts were now dispelled.		Ma tutti questi dubbi sono stati ora scacciati.
Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes, and what did they find?		Oggi egli e i suoi amici avevano visitato la Fattoria degli Animali, ne avevano ispezionato ogni palmo con i propri occhi, e che cosa avevano trovato?
Not only the most up-to-date methods, but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere.		Non solo i metodi più moderni, ma una disciplina e un ordine che dovrebbe essere un esempio per gli agricoltori di ogni dove.
He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county.		Credeva di aver ragione nel dire che gli animali inferiori della Fattoria degli Animali facevano più lavoro e ricevevano meno cibo di tutti gli animali della contea.
Indeed, he and his fellow-visitors today had observed many features which they intended to introduce on their own farms immediately. […]		In realtà, egli e i suoi amici-visitatori oggi avevano osservato molte cose che essi intendevano introdurre immediatamente nelle proprie fattorie. […]
When the cheering had died down, Napoleon, who had remained on his feet, intimated that he too had a few words to say.		Quando gli applausi si placarono, Napoleon, che era rimasto in piedi, annunciò che aveva qualche parola da dire.
Like all of Napoleon's speeches, it was short and to the point.		Come tutti i discorsi di Napoleon, anche questo fu breve ed esplicito.
He too, he said, was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end.		Anche lui, disse, era felice che il periodo dell'incomprensione fosse finito.
For a long time there had been rumours - circulated, he had reason to think, by some malignant enemy - that there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself and his colleagues.		Per molto tempo erano corse voci - messe in giro, pensava, da qualche nemico maligno – che ci fosse qualcosa di sovversivo e di rivoluzionario nelle prospettive sue e dei suoi colleghi.
They had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms.		Erano stati accusati di suscitare la ribellione fra gli animali delle vicine fattorie.
Nothing could be further from the truth!		Niente potrebbe essere più lontano dalla verità!
Their sole wish, now and in the past, was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours.		Il loro unico desiderio, ora e nel passato, era di vivere in pace e in buone e normali rapporti d'affari con i loro vicini.
This farm which he had the honour to control, he added, was a co-operative enterprise.		Questa fattoria che aveva l’onore di controllare, aggiunse, era una specie d’impresa co-operativa.
The title-deeds, which were in his own possession, were owned by the pigs jointly. […]		Le azioni, che erano in suo possesso, erano comune proprietà dei maiali. […]
He had only one criticism, he said, to make of Mr. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech.		Egli aveva solo una critica, disse, da fare all’eccellente e amichevole discorso del signor Pilkington.
Mr. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm".		Il signor Pilkington si era sempre riferito alla "Fattoria degli Animali".
He could not of course know - for he, Napoleon, was only now for the first time announcing it - that the name "Animal Farm" had been abolished.		Non poteva di certo sapere - è lui, Napoleon, lo annunciava ora per la prima volta - che il nome "Fattoria degli Animali" era stato abolito.
Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm" - which, he believed, was its correct and original name.		Da quel momento la fattoria sarebbe ritornata "Fattoria Padronale", quello cioè che, egli credeva, fosse il suo giusto e originale nome.
"Gentlemen," concluded Napoleon, "I will give you the same toast as before, but in a different form.		«Signori» concluse Napoleon «ripeterò il brindisi di prima, ma in forma diversa.
Fill your glasses to the brim. Gentlemen, here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! "		Riempite fino all'orlo i vostri bicchieri. Signori, ecco il mio brindisi: alla prosperità della Fattoria Padronale!»
There was the same hearty cheering as before, and the mugs were emptied to the dregs.		Vi furono gli stessi calorosi applausi di prima, e i bicchieri vennero vuotati fino al fondo.
But as the animals outside gazed at the scene, it seemed to them that some strange thing was happening.		Ma mentre gli animali di fuori fissavano la scena, sembrò loro che qualcosa di strano stesse accadendo.
What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? […]		Che cosa c'era di mutato nei visi dei porci? […]
[…] The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again, but already it was impossible to say which was which.    (Animal Farm, Chapter 10)		[…] Le creature di fuori guardavano dal maiale all'uomo, dall'uomo al maiale e ancora dal maiale all'uomo, ma già era loro impossibile distinguere fra i due.

History and Allegory

The book describes the historical events from the Russian revolution, of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union (until 1944). It is a fable about rulers and the ruled, oppressors and the oppressed, and an idea betrayed.

In the early 20^th century, Russian society consisted of a minority of wealthy and powerful aristocrats and capitalists, and a majority of workers and peasants exploited and oppressed, only supported by a small group of concerned intellectuals.

The German political and economic philosopher Karl Marx (here represented by Old Major) proposed a new society, a system under which property would be held in common and all people would live as equals. He set out his ideas in Das Kapital and in his passionate Communist Manifesto[1].

In 1917 Tsar Nicholas II (Mr. Jones) was forced to abdicate, and was eventually murdered with all his family. A new Communist regime took power under the leadership of Vladimir Ilych Lenin, an intellectual revolutionary; private property was replaced by Government supervision and a first period of modernization seemed to restore Russia to a moderate prosperity. Lenin died in 1924, when the two outstanding personalities were Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky.

Stalin (represented by Napoleon), a more astute politician, soon banished Trotsky (represented by Snowball), the idealistic proponent of International Communism, to Mexico, where he was murdered by the Russian International Police. Stalin consolidated his power, killed, imprisoned or exiled is enemies, and ordered to purge of about 20 million citizens of the newly formed Soviet Union.

The third pig, Squealer, is the “voice” of the leader, the creator of the “personality cult” and may be correlated with the Propaganda (Government Newspapers), the link between the leader and the common people.

Orwell is against any form of propaganda, against the Church and the religion.

The Main Themes are:

-         the struggle between humans and animals stands for any form of exploitation:

ü  animals and men

ü  workers and masters

ü  proletariat and the rich

-         the danger of Propaganda

-         the danger of Personality cult

-         Easy manipulation of the masses

-         the inefficiency of any revolution by the masses is doomed to failure by:

ü  absence of unifying values

ü  absence of class consciousness

ü  absence of faith in revolutionary ideals

-         control of the language as a political instrument, particularly evident in:

ü  the Seven Commandments, slowly modified and distorted from the original meaning and finally reduced to “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”;

ü  the teaching of slogans like “Four legs good, two legs bad” and later on “Four legs good, two legs better”, whose totally different meaning is not understood by most animals, because of the similarity in sound of the last words (bad-better).

REVIEW

Animal Farm is an allegorical novella, written in the form of an animal fable. George Orwell was able to present his subject in simple symbolic terms by treating the development of communism as a story that is taking place on a single farm with talking animals. The characters of Animal Farm represent figures in Russian history during the Russian Revolution. Places, objects, and events of the Russian Revolution are also symbolized in Animal Farm.

It was first published in England on 17 August 1945. It was difficult for Orwell to get his book published, as it was clearly a satire of totalitarianism, written in the last period of World War II, when the German troops were exhausting themselves in the snow of Russia, and were being defeated in Europe. It was obviously a satire of Stalin, in a period when Russia was still fighting side by side with the Allied Forces. Only after rejection by many publishers Orwell get his work accepted, but it was published with the subtitle “A fairy story” and appeared as a story for children, although it was very soon widely read all over the world.

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[1] Karl Marx (1818-1883) played a significant role in protesting against the harm caused by industrialism in man’s life and in the environment based the theories he dealt with in his treatise Capital upon research done in England, the most advanced European industrial nation. Karl Marx said the Britain really was in need of revolution, but it didn’t explode because the Government was crafty, creating some Acts which appeased the people, in particular Act with regard of votes and the social problems.