Dictatorship in Both Contexts
Before the inception of the Soviet Union, Russia followed an absolute monarchy form of government in which the Russian emperor, Czar Nicholas II, inherited the throne and ruled Russia. Following his overthrow, the communist Soviet Union was established and a dictatorship form of government put into place, with Joseph Stalin being the Soviet Union's dictator. In the case of Animal Farm, the Czar's parallel was Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm (Russia). After the revolution, Animalism (communism) was implemented, and Manor Farm was changed to Animal Farm (the Soviet Union). Napoleon (Stalin) became its totalitarian dictator.
Orwell's Portrayal of a Dictatorship
I think that Orwell portrayed dictatorship in the way that he did for educational purposes, as an attempt to give readers a visual and in depth idea of what life was actually like during the dictatorship in the Soviet Union. He was successful because he told the Animal Farm story through such a matter-of-fact, straightforward voice, allowing the storyline to flow without dwelling on minor points for too long, and staying true to the facts. His writing style allowed readers to more empathetically perceive the story, because despite the animal related metaphors, it made it more realistic.
Orwell manifested dictatorship in its worst state in which the dictator, Napoleon, and the pigs thrived and flourished, while the other animals toiled. For example, while working on the windmill, ' ..Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.' (40) This quote reinforces signs of Napoleon's dictatorship over the animals, as he misuses the word 'voluntary' in order to deceive the animals into thinking they have freedom. As the story progresses, Napoleon's superiority over the animals heightens when he takes to breaking one of the written amendments and moves into Jones' old house, publicly showcasing himself as being different from the other animals who must remain in their sties. 'It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty.' (45) This is similar to Stalin's living standards. Stalin gained residency in the Moscow citadel called the Kremlin upon becoming dictator--the Kremlin was also the residential area for many Czars. In addition, he owned a Dacha, a seasonal country house. (Potts, 2010).
Orwell manifested dictatorship in its worst state in which the dictator, Napoleon, and the pigs thrived and flourished, while the other animals toiled. For example, while working on the windmill, ' ..Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.' (40) This quote reinforces signs of Napoleon's dictatorship over the animals, as he misuses the word 'voluntary' in order to deceive the animals into thinking they have freedom. As the story progresses, Napoleon's superiority over the animals heightens when he takes to breaking one of the written amendments and moves into Jones' old house, publicly showcasing himself as being different from the other animals who must remain in their sties. 'It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty.' (45) This is similar to Stalin's living standards. Stalin gained residency in the Moscow citadel called the Kremlin upon becoming dictator--the Kremlin was also the residential area for many Czars. In addition, he owned a Dacha, a seasonal country house. (Potts, 2010).