Joseph Stalin & NapoleonTowards the climax of the novel, readers witness Napoleon rising to power on Animal Farm. What readers may not realize is the direct parallel of this character’s primary attributes and those of Joseph Stalin during the Russian Revolution. These similarities and how writer George Orwell chose to express them will be explored in order to deduce its allegorical meaning. To begin, both figures shared the same historical background and rose to power in a parallel manner.
Connection 1: Birth & Bring upFrom birth they carried the same memories of a so-called ‘peasant-class’ which meant for poverty and starvation for both parties. Under the totalitarian figures such as Czar Nicholas II of Russia and Mr. Jones of Manor farm, Stalin and Napoleon were subject to weeks of starvation, inapt support and were completely disregarded by these big-headed figures (Britannica, 2013). This was made evident on page 7 of the novel when Mr Jones had not ‘bother[ed] to feed the animals’, Napoleon inclusive. However, they both seemed to rise from these ashes via manipulation during their roles as political figures, regardless of how non-influential they seemed to be. For example, during their roles as General Secretary and Right-hand man (or pig) respectively, they both found their way to gain allies and supporters, be it other secretaries or even ‘nine sturdy puppies’ [P. 17] as both proved helpful for their rise to power (Britannica, 2013). As time progressed, their defeat of rivaling leaders and twists on truths to sway citizens to their favor further fortified this connection of character history and traits.
Connection 2: Rise & LeadershipTrotsky and ‘Snowball’: while both difficult obstacles for Stalin and Napoleon to overcome, they ultimately gained control over their public images in order to step to a higher ground. In Stalin’s case, he had power over media and thus used this as a vessel for propaganda and censorship in order for audiences to agree with his pointless causes (Britannica, 2013). As for Napoleon, using Squealer he made the ‘necessary explanations’ [P.14] to stay at the edge of animal ethics. These media cover-ups allowed Stalin and Napoleon to execute actions that sacrificed the masses in the expense of an undoubtedly successful mass development in both environments. While the similarities are obvious, how Orwell chose to write them opened up new doors to understanding what these figures represent.
Purpose & SignificanceThere are two important character features in the novel that describe Stalin’s mirrored character: his animal and his name. Both of which are features that blatantly paint him in a negative light. Firstly, the fact that Napoleon is a ‘boar‘ [P.6] should already imply to readers major personality flaws which are associated with this animal symbol, namely sloth and gluttony (Schmoop, 2008). The combination of this vital characteristic and the rest of his personality acts as an allegory for readers to comprehend Stalin’s true image - despite his actions towards Russia’s development. Secondly, calling the character ‘Napoleon’ alludes to the French Revolutionist and Military officer, Napoleon Bonaparte. By utilizing this sort of namesake readers are then subtly reminded that Napoleon is nothing more than a violent pig (pun intended) that only wants to expand and expand his empire. Selfishness and malice is thus reiterated to the readers. With this and the examples above he is illustrating Napoleon in such a way to easier absorb the immorality within this character, or really Stalin, as a whole.
ConclusionWriting a direct parallel between Animal Farm’s Napoleon and Joseph Stalin of Russia established a mental connection linking those two figures and their respective traits: greediness and laziness. By additionally exaggerating the greed in utilizing a namesake and animal symbol, readers understand how selfishness can severely corrupt today’s government, and especially in motivated leaders like Stalin. In doing so they see the fatal flaw that lead the Soviet Union to where it was back then: the abuse of power.
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" Joseph Stalin, secretary-general of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922–53) and premier of the Soviet state (1941–53), who for a quarter of a century dictatorially ruled the Soviet Union and transformed it into a major world power. "
(Britannica, 2013) Napoleon reflecting human characteristics (clothes, standing on 2 feet, etc.): the very catalyst to the revolution.
Napoleon captured as a traditional 'bust' with the colour red, the primary colour representing communism, being covered by his human clothes.
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