The novel Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is an allegory of the Russian Revolution, along

with the characters which are allegories to certain groups of the Russian Revolution. An allegory is
a reference to a time or historical figure to convey a hidden political or moral meaning. George
Orwell makes fun of the Russian Revolution by using allegory to show the bad use of power in the
story, to get this message across, Orwell uses animals. The point of view of the story is also shown
through the animals and symbolizes important figures during the Russian Revolution.

Animal Farm is a story about a group of animals who take over the farm on which they live. The
farm is clearly intended to be understood as Russia, with the humans and animals in the story
representing recognizable people in the revolution which occurred in Russia. Some of the animals
have a close parallel with specific people; others are more related to general types or classes
within the population. For example, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball recall the Soviet leaders
Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky, respectively. In relation to that, Stalin, and Trotsky both had
disagreements which led to a controversy and a falling out. Napoleon and Snowball have a falling
out which leads to Snowball being banished from the farm. “Without any further prompting they
confessed that they had been secretly in touch with Snowball ever since his expulsion, that they
had collaborated with him in destroying the windmill, and that they had entered into an
agreement with him to hand over Animal Farm to Mr. Frederick”.

There are aspects of the pigs’ personalities as well as things that happen to them that have close
relation to real events of the Russian Revolution. On the other hand, the cart horse Boxer, is a
representation of the working class in general. The sheep and dogs are other animals in the story
that function as types and aspects of society rather than individual characters. Another plot that
was directly parallel to the Russian Revolution was the Battle of Cowshed. Orwell represents the
Russian Civil War through this battle and its conflicts occupying Germany. During this time, the
Bolsheviks, or also known as the Red Army, battled the Whites, who were anti-communist. In the
Battle of Cowshed, Mr. Jones, the farmer, tries to retake the farm. He symbolizes the Russian Tsar,
Nicholas II, who was forced to abdicate Jones.

Orwell uses allegory that reveals actions done by historical figures who were assigned powerful
political positions and abused their power. To exemplify, Old major intended to make a political
statement that expressed equality within each other. “And also remember that in fighting against
man we must not come to resemble him. Even when you have conquered him, do not adopt his
vices”. These are the words of Old Major, a system of thought that is adopted by the animals and
is called “animalism.” In this system of thought, the animals are supposed to be totally different
from humans, who they consider their authority. Napoleon corrupted Old Major’s philosophy by
twisting Old Major’s ideas and therefore making life better for himself. Karl Marx, who was
represented by Old Major, formulated ideas that caused the Russian revolution.