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Criticism of the Russian Revolution and Stalin’s rule

Animal Farm is written as a criticism of various events surrounding the Russian Revolution, especially related to Stalin’s (symbolised by Napoleon) role in pulling the newly formed Soviet Union in the direction of a dictatorship.

Interestingly, the Russian Revolution itself is at first presented in a relatively positive light. The initial ideals of ‘Animalism’ (= Communism) are very sympathetic - and Mr. Jones (= Tsar Nicholas II) is described as tyrant who does not care about his ‘people’s’ suffering. Orwell does not seem to question that the revolution itself was justified, although he does note that it was a significant issue that the general population might not have been fully aware of the communist ideals and their implications, and therefore did not really know what they were fighting for (p. 10-11). However, the novel’s ending appears to indicate that while the ideals of Communism are admirable, it can easily turn into an even more problematic variant of capitalism.

Orwell’s main criticism is focused on the way Soviet society gradually changed after the revolution, putting increasing amounts of control into the hands of the Communist party (led by Stalin), and committing more crimes against humanity in their struggles to remain in pow...

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