Losing The Religion essays

Losing The Religion essays (Not available; US): Gordon Heath Publishing, 1955. Animal farm is a social, but chiefly political, satire. This book appears to address totalitarian governments in the whole, but IÕve heard Mr. Orwell was specifically referring to the 1917 Russian Revolution. This book is written in somewhat of a fable form, from the point of view of the animals as they watch their leaders warp and gradually destroy the ideology of the "animalism" revolution. I would say this story counts as allegory, as the symbolism could be interpreted as an extended metaphor. Not their character in the story, but who in history they represent individualizes each animal on the farm. The satire does not give any evidence to the storyÕs time period. But, because of the fairly primitive farming methods (lack of machines), IÕm assuming the time period is somewhere near the beginning of the 20th century. As the book takes place on a farm, the location probably lies somewhere is the west (US). Observing the leaders of the animals slowly raise themselves to tyranny is interesting. As the book wears on, you can see the authorÕs views (biting commentary) on a few political issues (obviously) show through, and it is revealed to you who the animals most likely represent in totalitarian government (specifically, the Russian Revolution). It is a very thoughtful book, and encourages you to examine human culture and behavior as well as parallels between two seemingly opposite things. The language isnÕt all that interesting, but the simple writing style brings in the fable aspect. Yes, I feel the characters are chosen wisely, as they represent those important in the isolated historical period. The wealthy, the peasants, the leaders, tyrants, neighboring countries-they all are mentioned through the animals. ThereÕs no way they wouldnÕt seem fictional, as what happens in the book was and is impossible. But t ...