The second level of the novel is that of a historical dramatisation of the Russian revolution. Many events in the novel coincide with events which occurred in the history of the Soviet Union, which can be seen by anyone well versed in modern history. Simple examples of this include the murdering of the animals for fictitious crimes, which is very similar to the purges led by Stalin. Another example is the building of the windmill, a major undertaking, coinciding with the industrialisation of Russia and the five year plans, which eventually failed. Orwell chose the Russian revolution as a base as it was a prime example of how all facets of life can be changed to benefit a privileged few. This is shown in the superiority of the pigs in the story and the easier living of high party members in the U.S.S.R. Taking this into consideration, Yes, Animal Farm does work on the second, historical level.
The Third and most complicated and difficult to comprehend is the warning of the dangers of all and any totalitarian regimes. Many such regimes have arisen over time, led by charismatic and oppressive leaders such as Adolph Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot and he who was the basis of the character Napoleon, Joseph Stalin. The effects can be easily seen in the novel with low rations, intimidation, the questioning of memory and propaganda being used to keep animal moral at a low. One example is when Snowball explains why trading will commence, claiming ’Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed, comrades?’. A modern example can be seen with the previous government of Afghanistan, the Taliban. About twenty years ago the Russian army invaded Afghanistan, and America assisted the Taliban in mounting resistance. At that time the Taliban were considered the good guys. Yet at present time they have been labelled as oppressors and a despotic government who must be removed. This is a prime example of when a government says something it is often believed, with the US government changing it's opinion of a government which in itself has never varied much. This is important in totalitarian regimes, and many would fail if not for this changing of facts and total lack of freedom for the individual. Thus, with Orwell revealing the inner workings of a totalitarian regime the novel effectively warns against the danger of power being in the hands of a few. There-fore the novel works on the third and final level.
As discussed in the previous paragraphs the novel does indeed work on all three levels. This fact is one of many that have earned this book such international acclaim and may also contribute to the growing consensus that George Orwell is one of 'The few memorable writers of his generation,' For another sample of the dangers of totalitarian government the book, 1984, also by George Orwell, should be read. Based on a dismal future in which freedom has long gone and all are at the mercy of Big Brother.
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Brad Fuhrmann