In the novel, Old Major, the well-respected boar of the farm mirror the characteristics of Karl Marx who called for workers of the world to unite against their capitalist oppressors. George Orwell presents direct parallels between the two iconic figures through their shared concepts of equality and highly respected qualities. In addition, through his use of language and descriptions he reveals the key concepts of the novel. |
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OVERVIEW OF THE Comparison
IDEALISMS OF OLD MAJOr and karl marx
Major's speech is closely based on the beliefs of Karl Marx. Where humans in the pig's speech take the place of the capitalists in Marxist thinking. Orwell uses persuasive techniques in the speech of Old Major before his fall, to criticize how easily rebellion can manipulate the minds of others.
As both leaders wanted radical changes made to their current state of life, Old Major introduced the idea of Animalism and a utopian state where “All animals are equal” (pg 4) , which is based on the Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” (Communist Manifesto) (Jacobson, 2002) Orwell portrays the strong devotion that Old Major and Marx both share for uniting their ‘people’ by starting his speech with a communist cliche: “Comrades” (pg 4) As the pig speak of such communist dogma, it immediately brings emphasis to the ultimate goal: worker unity. Despite the difference between the animals, Old Major refers all animals as his comrades and repeats the reference regularly during the rest of his speech.
In addition, Major is quick to answer that the product of their labor is stolen from them by humans. The focus on the product of their labor recalls Marx’s emphasis on production.“The root cause of it is can be located in labor, production and distribution”. (The Communist Manifesto) (Jacobson, 2002) Where Marx had the capitalists, Old Major has man. As the speech progresses, the reader's sympathies are engaged by the Major's listing of the animals' sufferings under man. The involvement of the reader successfully brings emphasis to the satire of the power of manipulation that Orwell intends to deliver. |
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Conversely...
However in the speech, Orwell hints at the shortcomings and naivety of Old Major’s vision by implying ironic phrases to reemphasize the idea that no matter how desirable the ideal, man’s instinct for power makes the classless society impossible. (Opalinska, 1997) In his speech, Old Major mentioned “the more intelligent animal” (pg 13) and that the pings “immediately sat in front of the platform” (pg 3).
Hereby is a foreshadow that Major’s revolution is doomed to fail, because its power is once again granted to a few. Through Old Major’s speech, Orwell presents Major as a forceful orator who directs his audience to the same places Marx did. But under the surface he implies hidden idea in subtle ways to bring emphasis to the central idea of the novel. |
THE CHARACTERIZATION oF OLD MAJOROrwell represents Old Major’s high esteem which is parallel to the image of Karl Marx among the revolutionaries, through his use of descriptive language. Major is established by Orwell as being superior to the humans where he is “highly respected” (pg 3) by the other animals.
Moreover, the time setting of the opening scene of Animal Farm brings emphasis to that Major “was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was ready to lose an hour’s sleep in order to hear what he had to say” (pg 4) He speaks from above on a “sort of raised platform” (pg 4) under a “lantern that hung from a beam” (pg 4) which is a symbol to his high esteem. Through this description, Orwell creates an atmosphere of paternalism whenever Old Major appears in the novel. (Means, 2005) In addition, Orwell employs stereotypes of colors where Old Major is referred as the “Middle White boar” (pg 3). While setting it next to Napoleon the “fierce- looking Berkshire boar"(pg 16) the colour juxtaposition and symbolic meaning of these two images promptly portray a distinct contrast between Major’s aims and those of Napoleon in the future - where the initially ‘white’ principals will soon be transformed into ‘black’. In addtion, Orwell's use of literary device also consolidates the heoric and godlike figure of Old Major of the farm. |
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EARLY DEATH
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critiques and comments on his writing
As Orwell has mentioned, his main purpose of the novel was to advocate his outlook towards Stalin's totalitarian regime. Through his focus on subtle details in his descriptions of scenes, characters and the progression of the novel, Orwell successfully stresses his grief towards the misfortunate transformation of Russia that occurred during the Russian Revolution. Moreover, critical views on Animal Farm have suggested that "the political theme of Animal Farm is closely associated with its satirical tone and lucidity of Orwell's merciless wit" (Arther M. Schlesinger, 1946) which reinforces the success that Orwell has achieved in delivering his ideas to the reader.
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