Animal Farm Literary Analysis Example

A short contextual overview of the Animal Farm book explains the genre, historical background, and location of the written text. [+ / - 100 words]

Answering the question “what an animal farm is about”, it is important to say that the life in Manor farm is full of misery for the animals that live in it. One of the Animal Farm characters, the owner of the farm, Mr. Jones, is a cruel man who goes to the extent of sinking the dogs and killing the pigs when they become too old. Old Major in Animal Farm, a boar, urges the other animals in Manor farm to defend themselves against the cruelty of people like Mr. Jones and his friends.

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Three days after suggesting the revolution, Old Major dies. Three young pigs, Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer, thus decide to lead the resistance. One night, the animals drive Mr. Jones while he is drunk out of the farm and change the name from Manor Farm to Animal Farm.

The pigs then embark on writing the rules for the animal society which declare equality under the pigs' leadership. Napoleon in Animal Farm then takes control of the farm after fighting with Snowball. The life in the farm becomes cruller because of Napoleon's empty promises to the other animals of life full of comfort and wealth. At this point, the animals see no differences between Mr. Jones' leadership and that of the pigs that make the farm much worse by their roles.

Identify two or three major themes and literary devices used in the novella, Animal Farm by George Orwell. Try to explain how these themes are treated in the novel.(You should include a discussion of literary devices such as figures of speech, allusions to other literature or historical events/characters, etc.) [+ / - 200 words]

"He repeated a number of times, 'Tactics, comrades, tactics!' skipping round and whisking his tail with a merry laugh." This imagery of Squealer whisking his tail and giggling indicates that he is cheerful and that strategies are great. The animals, on seeing Squealer whisking his tail, would make them feel that everything is right and that he is telling the truth.

"We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and at the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty."

Old Major truly needed to express his thoughts on how lousy and careless humans are so that the other animals would be ready and willing to share in the resistance. "His two slogans, 'I will work harder' and 'Napoleon is always right,' seemed to him a sufficient answer to all his problems."Nobody is constantly right 100% of the time. It's simpler for Boxer to think this, though. It truly indicates that he was so faithful to Napoleon. He never addressed at whatever point something changed on the farm, because clearly, "Napoleon is always right."

Compare and contrast the development of these themes in the novel and the film. Which text is more effective in achieving Orwell's purpose in your view? Support your opinion with evidence from the two texts. [+ / - 200 words]

In my opinion, the most effective part is the film where the old Major is trying to convince the other animals to start a revolution against the owner of the farm. In the film, the frail voice of the old Major is very moving and is thus effective in bringing out the emotional nature of the situation. Watching the film thus enables the audience to connect more to the main Animal Farm theme by making them share in the agony of the animals. Besides, the audience may feel guilty for how humans treated the animals and try to do better in the future.

Try to offer some insights into human nature, which emerge from George Orwell’s Animal Farm. [+ / -200 words]

The animals defending their rights and driving humans out of the farm and the writing of the rules for the animal society by the pigs are behaviors seen in the novel that is very similar to how people behave while holding certain positions in the society.To what extent do you understand that the novel and its reflection of human nature may have relevance to the contemporary world? You may refer to events or phenomena that have occurred elsewhere, or that may be occurring at the present time. What do you think of the relevance of this literary work in the contemporary world? [200 words]

The novel is quite relevant in the present world. First of all, the quest for independence and freedom mentioned in the novel is almost similar to the happenings seen around the world. For instance, all the animals refusing to stay under the violent leadership of Mr. Jones is a clear indication of what happens currently around the world when people at work or in business intend not to give up or not to lose sight of their rights. The Russian revolution is one such example which simulates the reality of the novel.