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Animal Farm by George Orwell is a political allegory whose social and political themes are relevant today, including in contexts such as African politics. Power in Animal Farm is manipulated through similar tactics in the same way it is in many countries. Orwell uses animals, objects and events to explain social and political themes such as totalitarianism, abuse of power, betrayal of revolutionary ideals, propaganda, psychological control, class divisions, and the manipulation of the masses. This essay explores the main symbols Orwell uses and how they reflect both historical and contemporary political realities.

Symbolism and the Corruption of Power
Old Major represents Karl Marx and Lenin. His death before the rebellion symbolises how revolutionary leaders often do not live to see how their ideas end up being corrupted by opportunists.  The pigs abuse the rebellion for their gain and begin to resemble the very oppressors they replaced.

The pigs take advantage of the rebellion for their gain. This is seen in the windmill, which was proposed by Snowball.  Although the windmill at first represents progress and industrial development, under Napoleon, it becomes a tool of manipulation and control. It is destroyed and rebuilt several times. This symbolises the illusion of progress and the endless and fruitless labour of the animals. Similarly, another way that shows how the pigs take advantage of the rebellion for their gain is through the farmhouse.  The farmhouse, which was once seen as a symbol of tyranny, becomes the pigs' residence. This shows the pigs' transformation into a ruling class. This transformation is reinforced by the gradual amendment of the Seven Commandments. This can especially be seen in the final version— “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” It exposes how those in power use ideology to maintain power.

Language, Propaganda, and Psychological Control
A propaganda machine cannot miss in any dictatorship.  Squealer represents it well because of the way he keeps twisting the truth to justify the actions of the pigs. Slogans such as “Four legs good, two legs bad” and “Napoleon is always right” replace independent thought with obedience. The sheep, who keep repeating these phrases without thinking much about their meaning, symbolise the masses who are easily manipulated by propaganda.

When the revolutionary song “Beasts of England” is banned and replaced with uninspiring anthems, it reflects how regimes suppress public expression and revolutionary spirit. The slow changes of the Seven Commandments demonstrate how language can be gradually reshaped to serve those in power.

Symbols of Class Stratification and Privilege
The milk and apples that are kept only for the pigs, show how leaders find ways to justify why they should be entitled to certain privileges. Orwell critiques inequality and social class through simple symbols. The milk and apples, reserved for the pigs, show how leaders find ways to justify why they should be entitled to certain privileges under the guise of necessity. The dogs which Napoleon raises to serve as his enforcers, represent the secret police or military used to create fear and obedience.

By chapter 3, the pigs see themselves as “brainworkers” while the rest of the animals perform physical labour. This division shows how revolutionary leaders often claim superiority and exploit the very workers they claimed to liberate.

Religion and the Illusion of Hope
Moses the raven and his tales of Sugarcandy Mountain represent religion. In the beginning, he is not taken seriously, but later, when the pigs realise he can be used to keep the animals hopeful and obedient, he is welcomed. Sugarcandy Mountain symbolises how religion can be used to comfort the oppressed while keeping them distracted from their suffering. Orwell is not attacking religion itself, but rather its use as a tool to maintain the status quo.

Blind Loyalty and Maintaining Dictatorship without Realising It
Some of the most powerful symbols in Animal Farm are the animals, such as Boxer, the cart horse, who follow the pigs without question. This is seen in the slogans he believes in.  For example, “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right.” However, despite his loyalty and sacrifice, he is sold when he is no longer useful. This shows how the working class is often exploited by the regimes they support.

The sheep are the other animals who chant slogans such as “Four legs good, two legs better” without understanding what they mean.  They represent unthinking masses who follow authority blindly without question and in this way, maintain dictatorship.  This is a relatable example of how authoritarian regimes often rely on fear and passive public acceptance to maintain control, a theme observed in various historical and contemporary contexts.

Historical Parallels
Many characters and events in the story represent historical figures and moments. Napoleon represents Stalin, Snowball represents Trotsky, and Mr. Jones symbolises Tsar Nicholas II. Mollie, who leaves the farm to seek comfort and luxury, represents those unwilling to sacrifice for a cause. Events such as the Battle of the Cowshed represent the Russian Civil War, and the windmill reflects Stalin’s Five-Year Plans.

The renaming of Manor Farm to Animal Farm and then back to Manor Farm symbolises the illusion of change since oppression remains even after the name changes. By the end of the novel, when the pigs walk on two legs and resemble humans, Orwell makes it clear that the new rulers are no different from the old ones.

Conclusion
In Animal Farm, symbolism is both a literary technique and the foundation of Orwell’s political critique. Through animals, slogans, buildings, and events, Orwell warns about the dangers of dictatorship, the weakness of revolutionary ideals, and how power can easily be corrupted. This makes the novel relatable to many undemocratic countries.

Disclaimer: This article provides a literary analysis of George Orwell’s Animal Farm and explores how its symbols reflect historical and fictional political systems. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not target any specific country or government.

References

Albloly, Amir Mohammed, and Hala Salih Mohammed Nour. "The Portrayal of Political Symbolism in George Orwell Writings: With Reference to Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four." The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention 6.9 (2019): 5642-5648.

Fadaee, Elaheh. "Symbols, metaphors and similes in literature: A case study of “Animal Farm”." Journal of English and literature 2.2 (2011): 19-27.

Orwell, George, and Lucy Toop. Animal Farm: GCSE 9-1 Set Text Student Edition. Collins, 2021.