A metaphor, according to Wikipedia, is “figure of speech that identifies something as being the same as some unrelated thing for rhetorical effect, thus highlighting the similarities between the two”. Now one might think that it’s impossible for a single book to brilliantly and metaphorically relate farm animals and Russian communist idealisms, but Animal Farm by George Orwell does just that.
From the opening page of the novel, Orwell’ preface allowed me to formulate ideas and concepts before even beginning the novel. I wondered if the popularity of the novel related to it’s uncomfortable subject matter (Mark Twain also used this technique in the creation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) or if the book itself could be considered propaganda, …show more content…
By simplifying historical events, Animal Farm, allowed me to focus on reality of the metaphors rather than the animals themselves. Specifically, I found the repetition of the song “Beasts of England” critical in developing the storyline, as it was essentially a metaphor for an allegiance. It united the animals and gave them hope. I would even compare it to the “Hanging Tree” anthem of the Hunger Games series. The idea of hope wasn’t limited to the song though; hope proved to be a pivotal force in making the animals work together, even throughout a power-hungry dictatorship.
Another aspect that I personally want to highlight, are metaphors. As mentioned earlier metaphors often have some sort of a correlation, or connection between the two. Now it wasn’t until after I had finished the novel, I truly felt I understood why Orwell specifically chose farm animals. Generally thought of as boisterous and uncivilized, the farm animals began to represent the mindset of the Russian leaders. For example, a boar named Napoleon slowly let the power get the best of him and became the epitome of a tyrant, even against his own
From the opening page of the novel, Orwell’ preface allowed me to formulate ideas and concepts before even beginning the novel. I wondered if the popularity of the novel related to it’s uncomfortable subject matter (Mark Twain also used this technique in the creation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) or if the book itself could be considered propaganda, …show more content…
By simplifying historical events, Animal Farm, allowed me to focus on reality of the metaphors rather than the animals themselves. Specifically, I found the repetition of the song “Beasts of England” critical in developing the storyline, as it was essentially a metaphor for an allegiance. It united the animals and gave them hope. I would even compare it to the “Hanging Tree” anthem of the Hunger Games series. The idea of hope wasn’t limited to the song though; hope proved to be a pivotal force in making the animals work together, even throughout a power-hungry dictatorship.
Another aspect that I personally want to highlight, are metaphors. As mentioned earlier metaphors often have some sort of a correlation, or connection between the two. Now it wasn’t until after I had finished the novel, I truly felt I understood why Orwell specifically chose farm animals. Generally thought of as boisterous and uncivilized, the farm animals began to represent the mindset of the Russian leaders. For example, a boar named Napoleon slowly let the power get the best of him and became the epitome of a tyrant, even against his own