Orwell uses the battle for the windmill in "Animal Farm" to parallel the Soviet Union's defense of Stalingrad during World War II, showcasing the costly sacrifices made to protect their territory. The windmill symbolizes the industrialization efforts under Stalin's regime, portraying the challenges faced by the Soviet Union in modernizing its economy amidst the war. Additionally, Orwell's depiction of the battle reflects the propaganda and manipulation used by Soviet leaders to maintain power and control over the populace during wartime.
the rise of Communism
allegory
To draw out one aspect of that history and highlight it for the reader
To draw out one aspect of that history and highlight it for the reader
George Orwell isn't against communism. He actually was a communist. He was against the fascism that the Soviet Union essentially became.
allegory
George Orwell was initially supportive of the ideals behind the Russian Revolution, but became disillusioned with the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin. Orwell's experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War and witnessing the rise of authoritarianism in the Soviet Union influenced his anti-totalitarian stance, as reflected in his works like "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four."
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as a satirical allegory to criticize the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule and to highlight the dangers of totalitarianism and corruption in society.
In a literal sense, George Orwell satirizes the Bolshevik Revolution and Soviet communism. Orwell does not specifically target the communist system, but instead presents an allegory of the corruption of government in general.Using Animal Farm, Orwell mocks the rebels of the Bolshevik Revolution. The revolutionists want to overthrow the Russian Czar because of cruel and unfair treatment. Once the Czar is defeated, however, the leaders of the revolution (now proclaimed as leaders of the Soviet Union) become corrupted with power and end up resembling exactly what they were revolting against in the first place.
The windmill is a symbol for Joseph Stalin's Five-Year Plans for the National Economy of the Soviet Union. Just as the windmill was promised to make the animals' life easier, the Five-Year Plans were intended to improve Soviet industry to the point where workers had shortened work-weeks.Analogous to the destruction of the windmill, several of Stalin's Five-Year Plans failed to improve work production. Also, as the animals decided to re-build the windmill, Stalin also kept producing many more Five-Year Plans, some of which were successful.
Orwell is illustrating how communication in Soviet society is manipulated by the government to control information and shape public opinion. The concept of "doublethink" in "1984" highlights the use of language to deceive and oppress the population by promoting contradictory beliefs. This portrayal warns against the dangers of censorship and propaganda in restricting individual freedom and autonomy.
The farm flourishes. The windmill is usedto grind corn, and another is being built. The animals have been told they don't need the hot and cold water.