Animal Farm by George Orwell

Essay by xxnancyxxnancyxxHigh School, 10th gradeA+, March 2004

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The book Animal Farm has a symbolic storyline that does not actually represent the manifest content on the surface of the story; it actually symbolizes modern government and modern government figures. The characters' actions are with the thought of greed, the animals rebel, and the Seven Commandments of the story are laws of a new government. Animal Farm is a typical traditional short story, which gives it extraordinary manifest content, a traditional plot line, and universal symbolism.

The scapegoat, or enemy, of the story serves as a simple reason for action. It is very similar in reality; control-seekers look for a reason to rally their peers in order to gain power and authority in a new system or government, their system or government. If there were no enemy, it would be hard to persuade action and play on the emotions of those who are needed in order for a successful rebellion.

The illusion of an enemy provides a cause to fight, sometimes an excuse to fight. A government would not be able to change without an antagonist or enemy, because it is with the enemy that change often occurs.

Education is a positive and negative aspect of government at the same time. Some of the characters of the book (Muriel and Benjamin) are much like scholars; they are always eager to learn. Learned members of society form theories and ideas about the "correct" type of government, and a dictator (the pig) would not benefit with smart inferiors because they could possibly overthrown him, much like actual society. But in a democratic society, it is essential for education because improvements come from the mind of learned citizens. In the story, as the pigs gain more control and the other animals learn about government, the animals learn that they are being...