Written over half a century ago, George Orwell’s Animal Farm has always been paralleled with the Russian Revolution of 1917. Orwell purposely correlates his characters to leaders, and significant members of the revolution. Although this is the traditional correlation, Animal Farm is still relevant today. In fact, the novel is a timeless tale because it talks about a certain pattern of behavior. The book deals with two primary elements: politics, and human faults. Due to this, Animal Farm relates to many things in our modern world today. A more contemporary, or recent example that fits just as well is Romania.
In 1989 Nicolae Ceausescu had just completed his 22nd year of presidency in the Eastern European country of Romania. Ceausescu was a Communist leader, whose presidency was marked by oppression and corruption much like what the animals of Manor Farm thought of Mr. Jones. A concealed burning tension finally erupted on December 22, 1989, when a group of people revolted against Ceausescu’s dictatorship. He was driven out of office and executed three days later on Christmas Day 1989. After Ceausescu's removal people were eager for democracy. In the midst of the revolution a group of people, called The National Salvation Front (NSF), led by Ion Illiescu, took power, promising free and fair election within 5 months while new parties were being formed. They convinced the country that they were forming a new, "democratic, provisional government." The elections however were rigged and the NSF won the vote. With NSF in power, the country yet again was corrupted and governmental inflation caused great turmoil. Just as Napoleon and the pigs in Animal Farm took over the farm and became tyrannical leaders, so Romania was crumbling under the leadership of Illiescu and the NSF.
Affected and irritated with the unchanging state of Romania, a group of university students, led by Marian Munteanu, began protesting against the NSF, accusing the party of being a neo-socialist, autocratic, and dictatorial government. In June of 1990 this group became known as the League of Students. The NSF government, realizing the significance of these protests by young people, called upon coal miners of the area. Miners were good, blue-collared, hardworking people, who because of this were very easily manipulated. NSF convinced the miners that The League of Students was actually acting upon instructions from foreign governments. Much like Napoleon's dogs, who slaughtered the animals whenever they were told, the coal miners came into Bucharest, the capital, by train, and proceeded to beat and kill the students and protesters. What was a peaceful protest by the students, was turned into a bloodbath by the manipulated.
For 10 years, NSF continued to suck the blood out of Romania, tearing the country down economically, while the government was making lavish money. Government workers became billionaires out of nowhere while the rest of the country plummeted. Similarly, when the pigs took over Animal Farm, the farm was in hope of a better life, home. As time progressed and the pigs/Napoleon gained more power and authority, the farm started deteriorating. Animal Farm is a very important, timely piece of literature that relates to the modern world frequently.
Works Cited:
Orwell, George, Animal Farm, New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co,1946. Print
"On This Day: Ceausescu Ousted in Romanian Revolution." On This Day: Ceausescu Ousted in Romanian Revolution. Web. 1 May 2015. <http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/On-this-Day--Romanian-Revolution-Overthrows-Communist-Ruler.html>.
In 1989 Nicolae Ceausescu had just completed his 22nd year of presidency in the Eastern European country of Romania. Ceausescu was a Communist leader, whose presidency was marked by oppression and corruption much like what the animals of Manor Farm thought of Mr. Jones. A concealed burning tension finally erupted on December 22, 1989, when a group of people revolted against Ceausescu’s dictatorship. He was driven out of office and executed three days later on Christmas Day 1989. After Ceausescu's removal people were eager for democracy. In the midst of the revolution a group of people, called The National Salvation Front (NSF), led by Ion Illiescu, took power, promising free and fair election within 5 months while new parties were being formed. They convinced the country that they were forming a new, "democratic, provisional government." The elections however were rigged and the NSF won the vote. With NSF in power, the country yet again was corrupted and governmental inflation caused great turmoil. Just as Napoleon and the pigs in Animal Farm took over the farm and became tyrannical leaders, so Romania was crumbling under the leadership of Illiescu and the NSF.
Affected and irritated with the unchanging state of Romania, a group of university students, led by Marian Munteanu, began protesting against the NSF, accusing the party of being a neo-socialist, autocratic, and dictatorial government. In June of 1990 this group became known as the League of Students. The NSF government, realizing the significance of these protests by young people, called upon coal miners of the area. Miners were good, blue-collared, hardworking people, who because of this were very easily manipulated. NSF convinced the miners that The League of Students was actually acting upon instructions from foreign governments. Much like Napoleon's dogs, who slaughtered the animals whenever they were told, the coal miners came into Bucharest, the capital, by train, and proceeded to beat and kill the students and protesters. What was a peaceful protest by the students, was turned into a bloodbath by the manipulated.
For 10 years, NSF continued to suck the blood out of Romania, tearing the country down economically, while the government was making lavish money. Government workers became billionaires out of nowhere while the rest of the country plummeted. Similarly, when the pigs took over Animal Farm, the farm was in hope of a better life, home. As time progressed and the pigs/Napoleon gained more power and authority, the farm started deteriorating. Animal Farm is a very important, timely piece of literature that relates to the modern world frequently.
Works Cited:
Orwell, George, Animal Farm, New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co,1946. Print
"On This Day: Ceausescu Ousted in Romanian Revolution." On This Day: Ceausescu Ousted in Romanian Revolution. Web. 1 May 2015. <http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/On-this-Day--Romanian-Revolution-Overthrows-Communist-Ruler.html>.