George Orwell wrote Animal Farm, “. . . to discredit the Soviet system by showing its inhumanity and its
back-sliding from ideals [he] valued . . .” Orwell noted that “ there exists in England almost no literature of
disillusionment with the Soviet Union.’ Instead, that country is viewed either with ignorant disapproval’ or
with uncritical admiration.’” The basic synopsis is this: Old Major, an old boar in Manor Farm, tells the other
animals of his dream of “animalism”: “ . . . Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our
own. Almost overnight we would become rich and free.’” The other animals take this utopian idea to heart,
and one day actually do revolt and drive the humans out.
Two pigs emerge as leaders: Napoleon and Snowball. They constantly argued, but one day, due to a difference
over plans to build a windmill, Napoleon exiled Snowball. Almost immediately, Napoleon established a
totalitarian government. Soon, the pigs began to get special favours, until finally, they were indistinguishable
from humans to the other animals. Immediately the reader can begin to draw parallels between the book’s
characters and the government in 1917-44 Russia. For example, Old Major, who invented the idea of “animalism,”
is seen as representing Karl Marx, the creator of communism. Snowball represents Trotsky, a Russian
leader after the revolution. He was driven out by Napoleon, who represents Stalin, the most powerful
figure in the country. Napoleon then proceeded to remove the freedoms of the animals, and established a
dictatorship, under the public veil of “animalism.” Pigs represent the ruling class because of their stereotype:
dirty animals with insatiable appetites. Boxer, the overworked, incredibly strong, dumb horse represents the
common worker in Russia. The two surrounding farms represent two of the countries on the global stage with
Russia at the time, Germany and England.
Page 5 Proctored - Mock CAT 7
Orwell begins his book by criticizing the capitalists and ruling elite, who are represented in Animal Farm by
Mr. Jones, the farmer. He is shown as a negligent drunk, who constantly starved his animals. “His character is
already established as self-indulgent and uncaring.” Orwell shows us how, “if only animals became aware of
their strength, we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the
rich exploit the proletariat.” What was established in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution was not true
communism (“animalism”), which Orwell approved of, where the people owned all the factories and land.
Rather, “state communism” was established, where a central government owned them. Orwell thought that
such a political system, “state communism,” was open to exploitation by its leaders. Napoleon, after gaining
complete control, did anything he wished - reserved the best for the pigs, and treated the animals cruelly. The
animals could not do anything, unless they again realized their strength in numbers against their own kind.
Unfortunately, they were too stupid to realize this and accepted the “status quo.”
10. All of the following would be in line with Orwell’s views except?
(a) Literature which expresses disillusionment about the Soviet Union is non-existent.
(b) The Soviet Union is viewed with extreme emotions by the British, who either disapprove of it
without knowledge or totally admire it.
(c) The rich are able to exploit the proletariat mainly because the proletariat is not aware of its own
strength.
(d) The capitalists are generally people who are involved in gratifying their self and have no empathy
towards others.
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm, “. . . to discredit the Soviet system by showing its inhumanity and itsback-sliding from ideals [he] valued . . .” Orwell noted that “ there exists in England almost no literature ofdisillusionment with the Soviet Union.’ Instead, that country is viewed either with ignorant disapproval’ orwith uncritical admiration.’” The basic synopsis is this: Old Major, an old boar in Manor Farm, tells the otheranimals of his dream of “animalism”: “ . . . Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be ourown. Almost overnight we would become rich and free.’” The other animals take this utopian idea to heart,and one day actually do revolt and drive the humans out.Two pigs emerge as leaders: Napoleon and Snowball. They constantly argued, but one day, due to a differenceover plans to build a windmill, Napoleon exiled Snowball. Almost immediately, Napoleon established atotalitarian government. Soon, the pigs began to get special favours, until finally, they were indistinguishablefrom humans to the other animals. Immediately the reader can begin to draw parallels between the book’scharacters and the government in 1917-44 Russia. For example, Old Major, who invented the idea of “animalism,”is seen as representing Karl Marx, the creator of communism. Snowball represents Trotsky, a Russianleader after the revolution. He was driven out by Napoleon, who represents Stalin, the most powerfulfigure in the country. Napoleon then proceeded to remove the freedoms of the animals, and established adictatorship, under the public veil of “animalism.” Pigs represent the ruling class because of their stereotype:dirty animals with insatiable appetites. Boxer, the overworked, incredibly strong, dumb horse represents thecommon worker in Russia. The two surrounding farms represent two of the countries on the global stage withRussia at the time, Germany and England.Page 5 Proctored - Mock CAT 7
Orwell begins his book by criticizing the capitalists and ruling elite, who are represented in Animal Farm byMr. Jones, the farmer. He is shown as a negligent drunk, who constantly starved his animals. “His character isalready established as self-indulgent and uncaring.” Orwell shows us how, “if only animals became aware oftheir strength, we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as therich exploit the proletariat.” What was established in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution was not truecommunism (“animalism”), which Orwell approved of, where the people owned all the factories and land.Rather, “state communism” was established, where a central government owned them. Orwell thought thatsuch a political system, “state communism,” was open to exploitation by its leaders. Napoleon, after gainingcomplete control, did anything he wished - reserved the best for the pigs, and treated the animals cruelly. Theanimals could not do anything, unless they again realized their strength in numbers against their own kind.Unfortunately, they were too stupid to realize this and accepted the “status quo.”
