Animal Farm 1945 - George Orwell

 Animal Farm 1945 - George Orwell

Second World War

1 September 1939 

2 September 1945

‘Animal Farm’ (17 August 1945) 

Opening Image:

Manor Farm is introduced, depicting the oppressive rule of Mr. Jones over the animals, setting the stage for the story.

Theme Stated:

Themes of oppression, revolution, and the desire for equality are subtly introduced as Old Major, an elderly pig, delivers a speech about animal rebellion.

Set-Up:

Animals on the farm are discontented with Mr. Jones' cruel treatment. They unite under the leadership of the pigs, Snowball, and Napoleon, planning a rebellion.

Catalyst:

The animals revolt against Mr. Jones, taking control of the farm and renaming it "Animal Farm," symbolizing the beginning of their quest for freedom.

Debate:

The animals discuss the principles of Animalism and their vision for a fair society. Some animals express doubts about the pigs' leadership.

Break into Two:

The animals establish their own rules, the Seven Commandments, and begin working towards building a society where all animals are equal.

B Story:

Snowball and Napoleon's rivalry over leadership emerges, foreshadowing a power struggle that will affect the farm's future.

Fun and Games:

The animals experience a period of productivity and hope, working together to improve the farm and envisioning a Utopian society.

Midpoint:

Snowball presents plans for a windmill, symbolizing progress and modernization. Napoleon opposes the plan, leading to a pivotal debate and division among the animals.

Bad Guys Close In:

Napoleon orchestrates a violent ousting of Snowball, consolidating power and establishing a dictatorship, violating the principles of Animalism.

All Is Lost:

The animals realize that the leadership of the pigs has become similar to the humans they had initially revolted against, undermining the ideals of equality.

Dark Night of the Soul:

The pigs increasingly abuse their power, altering the Seven Commandments to justify their actions, and the other animals feel disillusioned and powerless.

Break into Three:

The pigs fully transform into human-like oppressors, engaging in trade with humans and changing the fundamental principles of Animalism.

Finale:

The animals witness the pigs entertaining humans, and they cannot differentiate between the pigs and the humans, highlighting the loss of the revolution's ideals.

Final Image:

The animals observe the pigs through the farmhouse window, realizing the pigs have become indistinguishable from humans, symbolizing the ultimate betrayal of the revolution's principles.

This re-arrangement showcases how "Animal Farm" follows the beats of Blake Snyder's story structure, tracing the animals' journey from rebellion to the corruption and betrayal of their ideals by those in power.

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was inspired to write "Animal Farm" by a combination of political events, ideologies, and his observations of the socio-political climate of his time.

Orwell was deeply concerned about the rise of totalitarian regimes, particularly Stalinist communism in the Soviet Union. The events of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent establishment of a dictatorial regime under Joseph Stalin greatly influenced Orwell's views. He was initially sympathetic to socialist ideals but became increasingly critical of the Soviet Union's betrayal of those principles, leading him to denounce totalitarianism and authoritarianism.

The idea for "Animal Farm" was sparked by Orwell's disillusionment with the Soviet regime and his observations of how revolutions that aimed to establish equality often resulted in the consolidation of power by a select few. The novella is an allegorical representation of the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Stalinist era. Orwell used animal characters on a farm to symbolize various figures and events from Russian history, such as Joseph Stalin represented by the character of Napoleon the pig, Leon Trotsky embodied by Snowball, and the proletariat depicted through the other animals.

Orwell aimed to highlight the corrupting nature of power, the manipulation of language and propaganda, and the dangers of totalitarianism through the story of "Animal Farm." The novella served as a satirical critique of Stalinism and totalitarian regimes, as well as a broader commentary on the potential for power to corrupt even the noblest of intentions.

Overall, Orwell's motivations to write "Animal Farm" were rooted in his commitment to exposing the dangers of authoritarianism and advocating for democratic socialism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic principles and social justice.