Communism
"Communism is a hateful thing, and a menace to peace and organized government."
What is Communism?
Communism demonstrates a classless society, where private properties are completely abolished, and all of them would be owned communally. Basically, it is directly opposite to capitalism. In this political system, the government takes hold of industry and agriculture stating it is in the best interest of the people, especially the poor. All the people’s money would also be taken away by government to run a central banking system for them. Equality among classes, genders and races are heavily emphasized and it is establish through a graduated income tax, where the rich pays more and the poor pays less. Hence, taking money from the rich and giving them to the poor. The government might also reinforce policies which may affect a person’s religion or beliefs. Basically, communism is where the government takes control of everything, such as transportation, communication, education, chances of employment and so on in order to achieve an equal society.
Nowadays, people may ask “what is communism anymore?”, the truth is that communism still exists in a few countries, including The People’s Republic of China, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea. Furthermore, Marxists revolutionaries lead armed insurgencies under the banner of communism in India, Philipines, Peru, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey and Colombia. (politicalsystems.Inc, 2013)
Pros v.s Cons
Communism is a rather beneficial political system for the poor as it guarantees that everyone has a place to live in and food to eat no matter who you are. However, if your home is too uppity, it might be confiscated by the government. On the other hand, a communist society would not have the problem of unemployment because there are a lot of jobs available and it is essential for everyone to contribute to the society. In order to be equal, many things that cost a lot in a capitalist society are also free in a communist society, such as education and health care programs. Since everyone is equal, the rate of crime on the streets is also very low. As long as the person follow the status-quo, the person can have a pleasant existence in the society.
Looking at the negative side of communism, in comparison to capitalist nations, it has a much lower standard of living. Although in a communist society, a person may be able to receive a lot of free services, there are no chances of free speech like the people would have in a democratic society. Citizens living under this political ideology is not allowed to object to it. The consequence to this is unbearable and may lead to unwanted consequences. Many in the past have perished due to their objections and thoughts that were against communism. Many of them were executed or arrested. Those that were arrested were kept in concentration camps which provided them with atrocious living conditions. (J.Behling, 2009)
Significance to Animal Farm
What is Communism?
Communism demonstrates a classless society, where private properties are completely abolished, and all of them would be owned communally. Basically, it is directly opposite to capitalism. In this political system, the government takes hold of industry and agriculture stating it is in the best interest of the people, especially the poor. All the people’s money would also be taken away by government to run a central banking system for them. Equality among classes, genders and races are heavily emphasized and it is establish through a graduated income tax, where the rich pays more and the poor pays less. Hence, taking money from the rich and giving them to the poor. The government might also reinforce policies which may affect a person’s religion or beliefs. Basically, communism is where the government takes control of everything, such as transportation, communication, education, chances of employment and so on in order to achieve an equal society.
Nowadays, people may ask “what is communism anymore?”, the truth is that communism still exists in a few countries, including The People’s Republic of China, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea. Furthermore, Marxists revolutionaries lead armed insurgencies under the banner of communism in India, Philipines, Peru, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey and Colombia. (politicalsystems.Inc, 2013)
Pros v.s Cons
Communism is a rather beneficial political system for the poor as it guarantees that everyone has a place to live in and food to eat no matter who you are. However, if your home is too uppity, it might be confiscated by the government. On the other hand, a communist society would not have the problem of unemployment because there are a lot of jobs available and it is essential for everyone to contribute to the society. In order to be equal, many things that cost a lot in a capitalist society are also free in a communist society, such as education and health care programs. Since everyone is equal, the rate of crime on the streets is also very low. As long as the person follow the status-quo, the person can have a pleasant existence in the society.
Looking at the negative side of communism, in comparison to capitalist nations, it has a much lower standard of living. Although in a communist society, a person may be able to receive a lot of free services, there are no chances of free speech like the people would have in a democratic society. Citizens living under this political ideology is not allowed to object to it. The consequence to this is unbearable and may lead to unwanted consequences. Many in the past have perished due to their objections and thoughts that were against communism. Many of them were executed or arrested. Those that were arrested were kept in concentration camps which provided them with atrocious living conditions. (J.Behling, 2009)
Significance to Animal Farm
Russian Revolution1. Communism was first introduced through the book, Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx.
2. Communism is where everyone is equal and share the same rights. The government owns everything, whereas the people own the government. |
Animal Farm1. Old Major introduces his basic idea of equality which the pigs later develop into Animalism.
"And above all, no animal must ever tyrannize over his own kind. Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other animal. All animals are equal." Chapter 1, Page 7 2. Animalism is basically based on communism, where in the farm, there are no distributions among the owner, the rich or the poor. All animals are equal and they own the farm together. "The Seven Commandments 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. WHatever foes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 4. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal." |
Analysis
In the beginning of the novel, the sheep has a chant of “four legs good, two legs bad”, however when it reaches to the end of the novel, the chant turns into “four legs good, two legs better”. The Russian Revolution is basically a total inversion of the original idea of equality from Old Major. The pigs believes that they are the inheritor of Old Major, however they are really just turning his vision into a complete different idea. The communism that orwell saw in the Russian Revolution was a perversion of marxism, hence Animalism is really Stalinism. Due to the failure of Animalism, it eventually turns into dictatorship. In the novel, there is a scene where the animals are looking into the farm house of pigs and humans, that symbolizes exclusion. When both the pigs and humans look the same, it clearly points out the hypocrisy of the pigs. Similarly, in the Russian Revolution, Stalin eventually turned into a machiavellian more than a communist. This novel not only criticizes the hypocrisy of the russian revolution but also the idea of stalinism which totally twisted the original great idea of marxism. Therefore at the end of the novel, Orwell hints that they need another revolution for a better change.
In my opinion, I find this allegory a bit confusing. When we first read the novel, we all believe that Animalism basically represents Communism which is the original idea that Marx came up with. However, if we analyze it more in depth, we would realize that it has never been Marxism and instad, it is Stalinism, another type of Communism. In Old Major's speech, he has never mentioned the word Animalism, it is what the pigs later develop in the novel. Hence, it is certainly not Marxism. Overall, even though it is a bit confusing to figure out the different ideologies, I believe the way that Orwell hints out the perversion of Old Major's vision is very effective. Instead of saying that the pigs uses the exact idea from Old Major, he said the pig summarize his idea into their own, in which they believe is the most accurate and gives it another name, which is Animalism.
1. George J. Lamont. (n.d.). Animal Farm - Comparison of characters to the Russian Revolution. Retrieved March 26th, 2013, from http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/sbreem/files/2012/03/animalfarm.htm
2. Julie Behling. (2009). What is Communism. Retrieved March 26th, 2013, from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Communism?&id=2850633
3. politicalsystems.Inc. (2013). Communism, What is it?. Retrieved March 28th, from http://www.politicalsystems.com/communism.html
In the beginning of the novel, the sheep has a chant of “four legs good, two legs bad”, however when it reaches to the end of the novel, the chant turns into “four legs good, two legs better”. The Russian Revolution is basically a total inversion of the original idea of equality from Old Major. The pigs believes that they are the inheritor of Old Major, however they are really just turning his vision into a complete different idea. The communism that orwell saw in the Russian Revolution was a perversion of marxism, hence Animalism is really Stalinism. Due to the failure of Animalism, it eventually turns into dictatorship. In the novel, there is a scene where the animals are looking into the farm house of pigs and humans, that symbolizes exclusion. When both the pigs and humans look the same, it clearly points out the hypocrisy of the pigs. Similarly, in the Russian Revolution, Stalin eventually turned into a machiavellian more than a communist. This novel not only criticizes the hypocrisy of the russian revolution but also the idea of stalinism which totally twisted the original great idea of marxism. Therefore at the end of the novel, Orwell hints that they need another revolution for a better change.
In my opinion, I find this allegory a bit confusing. When we first read the novel, we all believe that Animalism basically represents Communism which is the original idea that Marx came up with. However, if we analyze it more in depth, we would realize that it has never been Marxism and instad, it is Stalinism, another type of Communism. In Old Major's speech, he has never mentioned the word Animalism, it is what the pigs later develop in the novel. Hence, it is certainly not Marxism. Overall, even though it is a bit confusing to figure out the different ideologies, I believe the way that Orwell hints out the perversion of Old Major's vision is very effective. Instead of saying that the pigs uses the exact idea from Old Major, he said the pig summarize his idea into their own, in which they believe is the most accurate and gives it another name, which is Animalism.
1. George J. Lamont. (n.d.). Animal Farm - Comparison of characters to the Russian Revolution. Retrieved March 26th, 2013, from http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/sbreem/files/2012/03/animalfarm.htm
2. Julie Behling. (2009). What is Communism. Retrieved March 26th, 2013, from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Communism?&id=2850633
3. politicalsystems.Inc. (2013). Communism, What is it?. Retrieved March 28th, from http://www.politicalsystems.com/communism.html