How Napoleon is a Satire of Josef Stalin What would it be like to have a ruler who is harsh and controlling? In Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, many satires are presented throughout the story to make fun of the leaders, governments, or events during the Russian Revolution. Orwell writes about a utopian farm ruled by Comrade Napoleon, who is the leader of all the animals and abuses his power just like Josef Stalin did in the early twentieth century. In addition, Josef Stalin was a very harsh ruler in Russia and also used propaganda and supporters to improve his image just like Napoleon did. Throughout the book, Animal Farm, Napoleon is presented as a satire for the ruler of Russia, Josef Stalin. The first satire Orwell writes about
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Napoleon rewrote history by using Squealer to tell the animals that “Comrade Napoleon” was the one who “sprang forward with a cry, ‘Death to Humanity’ and sank his teeth into Jones’ leg” at the Battle of the Cowshed, not Snowball (90). By rewriting history, Napoleon's image is improving because the animals think he is a good ruler. George Orwell is making fun of Stalin because he also used propaganda and also had history books rewritten to improve and build himself a better image. By removing the song, Beast of England, which was a traditional song, and adding a “poem entitled ‘Comrade Napoleon’, which was composed by Mimus” helped Napoleon’s image improve(100). The song described how the animals on the farm feel about Comrade Napoleon and tell about how he is a tremendous ruler. When Orwell has Napoleon add a poem about himself, it makes fun of Stalin because Stalin added his name to the Soviet National Anthem (Joseph Stalin). When Napoleon changes the laws of Animal Farm, he is also rewriting history. To make himself look better, Napoleon changes the Fifth Commandment from “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess”(113). Napoleon changes this commandment because one night on the farm he got drunk and did not want the animals to think their amazing ruler would ever break a commandment. Therefore, he had Squealer change the commandment. Orwell makes fun of Stalin through this scene because Stalin also changed laws by using propaganda so he would not be punished for breaking
Napoleon rewrote history by using Squealer to tell the animals that “Comrade Napoleon” was the one who “sprang forward with a cry, ‘Death to Humanity’ and sank his teeth into Jones’ leg” at the Battle of the Cowshed, not Snowball (90). By rewriting history, Napoleon's image is improving because the animals think he is a good ruler. George Orwell is making fun of Stalin because he also used propaganda and also had history books rewritten to improve and build himself a better image. By removing the song, Beast of England, which was a traditional song, and adding a “poem entitled ‘Comrade Napoleon’, which was composed by Mimus” helped Napoleon’s image improve(100). The song described how the animals on the farm feel about Comrade Napoleon and tell about how he is a tremendous ruler. When Orwell has Napoleon add a poem about himself, it makes fun of Stalin because Stalin added his name to the Soviet National Anthem (Joseph Stalin). When Napoleon changes the laws of Animal Farm, he is also rewriting history. To make himself look better, Napoleon changes the Fifth Commandment from “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess”(113). Napoleon changes this commandment because one night on the farm he got drunk and did not want the animals to think their amazing ruler would ever break a commandment. Therefore, he had Squealer change the commandment. Orwell makes fun of Stalin through this scene because Stalin also changed laws by using propaganda so he would not be punished for breaking