Chapter Text
Animal Far is an allegory, a story where characters and plot represent something else. An example is the Wizard of Oz (1939) which was an allegory of 1930’s Depression-era America. Animal Farm is an allegory which satirizes Soviet (Russian) communism. Communism means that there is o private property and the state owns everything. Capitalism, on the other hand, is free enterprise and private ownership of land, business, etc.
Considering that I am not a Marxist, then why are all these notes on Marx?
#1 – wrestling with even simplified philosophy stretches the mind
#2 – to give me a preview of how college professors will try and shock me with their anti-parent, anti-bourgeoisie (middle class) and trendy theories (that is, if you aren’t in college yet).
#3 – social action (both good and bad) is first born in the mind of someone with a controversial idea
Animal Farm is about that very thing. Old Major’s ideas getting applied is what this novel is about.
Let’s begin talking about Karl Marx (1818-1883). He is perhaps the most famous liberal of the last two-hundred years. Liberal versus Conservative –which am I? Which are you? Liberal, also called “leftist”, is someone who believes in individual rights and liberties being the most important things. These are people who highly support pro-choice and pro-minority. Environmentalism and big government –which means heavy spending to help out the poor and the disadvantaged –are also supported by liberals. Conservatives (right wingers) believe in individual rights, of course, but also believe that society’s protection and progress is just as vital (pro-life and tough on crime). They promote family values and small government so business thrives with fewer regulations. George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm, is a liberal even though Animal Farm is a satire of communism. May liberals seem to have communist sympathies. I believe that Orwell’s complex understanding of socialism (a modified form of communism) gives this novel this power).