How Would You Classify George Orwell’s Animal Farm ?

1. How Would You Classify George Orwell’s Animal Farm? By: Celyra Workman

2. As a Children’s Story. . . • A children’s story, as defined by Wikipedia, is a story Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve and is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes exclude young-adult fiction, comic books, or other genres. Animal Farm does not fit this description in my opinion because the subject matter, language, theme and context of the novel are too complex for children to comprehend. The novel was originally intended for adults/young adults who were familiar with the Russian Revolution and Totalitarianism.

3. As a Fairytale. . . • As defined by Merriam- Webster, a fairy tale is a story (as for children) involving fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins), a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending, or a made-up story usually designed to mislead. Animal Farm is not a fairy tale because it does not involve fantastic beings or forces, does not lead to a happy ending, and, although itwas made up, was not inteneded to mislead.

4. As an Allegory. . . • As defined by Merriam Webster, an allegory is the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence or a symbolic representation. Animal Farm is absolutely an allegory, as it’s characters, plot and events mirror the events and figures of the Russian Revolution. It also makes the generalization that totalitarianism does not work, people will tolerate a tyrannical leader when faced with adversity, and that the uneducated are easily manipulated.

5. As a Satire. . . • As defined by Merriam Webster, a satire isa literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn or trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly. Animal Farm can be considered as such because it makes fun of the Russian rulers, characterizing them as pigs, the Russian Bourgeoisie, creating vapid characters to represent them, the Russian people, using unintelligent sheep to symbolize them and the Czar Nikolas by making him a drunkard and terrible farmer. It creates humor out of the stupidity of man and his reliance on harsh leaders for survival.

6. As a Fable. . . • As defined by Merriam Webster, a fable is a fictitious narrative, as a narration intended to enforce a useful truth; especially one in which animals speak and act like human beings. While Animal Farm does not have a moral or definite truth presented in it, it has many that can be implied on the subjects of human nature and politics. It also features animals that speak and act like humans, and for these reasons can be regarded as a fable.