Question

What is the genre of Animal Farm?

• A. Historical fiction
• B. Political satire
• C. Fantasy
• D. Tragedy

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Political satire

Understanding Animal Farm as Political Satire

• Political Satire Defined: Political satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or vice, particularly in the context of politics or contemporary political issues. Its primary aim is often to bring about political or social change.
• Allegory and Critique: George Orwell's Animal Farm is a prime example of political satire, presented as an allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. In this case, the story of animals overthrowing their human farmer is a direct metaphorical critique of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism.
• Historical Context – Russian Revolution: The novel directly satirizes the events leading up to the 1917 Russian Revolution and the totalitarian regime that followed.
  • The animals' rebellion against Mr. Jones symbolizes the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II.
  • The idealistic initial phase of Animalism reflects the early promises of communism.
• Characters as Political Figures: Orwell masterfully uses animal characters to represent key figures and groups from Soviet history:
  • Old Major: Represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, the ideological founders of communism.
  • Napoleon: A tyrannical pig, he is a thinly veiled caricature of Joseph Stalin, embodying his brutal dictatorship, purges, and manipulation of power.
  • Snowball: Another pig, often seen as representing Leon Trotsky, a revolutionary intellectual who was exiled and assassinated by Stalin's regime.
  • Squealer: A propagandist pig, symbolizing the Soviet media and propaganda machine (e.g., Pravda) that twisted truth to serve the regime.
  • Boxer: The loyal, hardworking horse, represents the exploited working class (proletariat) of Russia, who remained devoted even as they were betrayed.
  • The Dogs: Represent the secret police (NKVD/KGB) that enforced Stalin's will through terror.
• Events Mirroring History: The plot points in Animal Farm directly parallel historical events:
  • The building of the windmill and its repeated destruction mirrors Stalin's Five-Year Plans and their often disastrous outcomes.
  • The show trials and executions of animals parallel Stalin's Great Purge (the Moscow Trials).
  • The altering of the commandments (e.g., "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others") highlights the distortion of revolutionary ideals for tyrannical ends, reflecting the corruption of communist principles.
• Author and Intent: Animal Farm was published in 1945 by George Orwell (pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair). Orwell, a democratic socialist, wrote the book to expose the corruption and totalitarianism he observed in the Soviet Union under Stalin, believing that the betrayal of the revolution's ideals was a universal danger.
• Broader Relevance: While specifically targeting the Soviet Union, the novel's satirical elements extend to a broader critique of totalitarianism, propaganda, and the abuse of power in any political system, making it a timeless work of political commentary.