How do Orwell's choices of satire and allegory support his purpose in writing "Animal Farm"? Check all that apply.

English · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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George Orwell uses satire and allegory in "Animal Farm" to explore and criticize the corruption of socialist ideals in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. Here is how these literary devices support his purpose:

1. **Allegory**: An allegory is a narrative in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or historical events. "Animal Farm" is an allegory for the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent establishment of the Soviet Union. The animals in the farm represent different classes of society and types of people in the revolution. For instance, the pigs represent the ruling Bolsheviks, particularly Napoleon standing in for Stalin, while Snowball represents Leon Trotsky. The use of allegory allows Orwell to critique the abstract and complex political events in a simple, yet profound, farmyard tale that is accessible to a wide audience.

2. **Satire**: Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. By portraying the hypocritical and tyrannical behavior of the pigs, who once stood for equality, Orwell satirizes the betrayal of the revolution by its leaders. The gradual accumulation of power and privileges by the pigs, and the consequent suffering and oppression of the other animals, is a direct satirical attack on the totalitarian regime of Stalin.

3. **Use of characters and events**: Various characters and events in "Animal Farm" are directly correlated with historical figures and events. For instance, the Battle of the Cowshed can be seen as a representation of the Russian Civil War, and the construction of the windmill might symbolize the Five-Year Plans of the Soviet Union. These analogies are masterfully crafted to illustrate and criticize the failures and the brutality of these historical events and figures.

4. **Moral and message**: Orwell’s choice of satire and allegory also serves to communicate a moral message regarding the nature of power and corruption. Through the story's progression, readers can see how power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few, and how it inevitably leads to corruption and the betrayal of the original revolutionary ideals.

In summary, the use of satire and allegory in "Animal Farm" serves Orwell's purpose of vividly illustrating and denouncing the perversion of socialist goals in Soviet Russia, by making it relatable and understandable through the narrative of farm animals.

Extra: The concepts of satire and allegory are important tools for writers, especially when dealing with complex political scenarios or criticizing societal issues. Satire allows them to infuse humor and wit while delivering heavy or controversial messages, making it more palatable and engaging for the reader. Allegory, by contrast, helps to convey deep meanings through symbolic figures and actions, making abstract ideas concrete and visual, which aids comprehension, especially for younger audiences or those less familiar with the direct subject matter. Through allegories, authors can create entire worlds that reflect real-life events, providing a canvas that encourages readers to think critically about the parallels between the story and reality. This can inspire discussion and reflection on the themes being addressed, which in Orwell's case were the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of socialist ideas.