Archetypal Theory
Archetypal theory is a type of criticism that recognizes archetypes, and in doing so, compares text to other things. Whether it be text-to-text, text-to-world, similarities or differences, they are all part of archetypal theory. An archetypal theorist would recognize the pattern that Animal Farm and the Soviet Russian Union share, with relative ease.
Archetypal Theory and Animal Farm
Old Major: Old Major is an early character that gives the animals a speech about how they are oppressed by Mr. Jones and gets them to organize and execute a revolution. He tells them about a dream he had where all animals walked about as equals and didn't have to feel oppressed as they were. (Orwell 2)
An archetypal theorist would say that Old Major represents Karl Marx. Karl Marx was the one that started the idea of Marxism, and revolution for the working class. Though he died before he could see the revolution happen or his idea of Marxism put into action, just as Old Major did.
An archetypal theorist would say that Old Major represents Karl Marx. Karl Marx was the one that started the idea of Marxism, and revolution for the working class. Though he died before he could see the revolution happen or his idea of Marxism put into action, just as Old Major did.
Napoleon: Napoleon is a character in animal farm that starts out as one of the several political parties on the farm. But soon he becomes power hungry and gets rid of the other political parties and takes up the throne as a dictator. He states that all he does is for the benefit of the other animals but in the end it is clear that he had been corrupted into selfishness and only did what benefited him most. (Orwell 42)
An archetypal theorist would say that Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. Stalin started out with the benefit of the working class in mind, but as time went on and things happened, he slowly became corrupt and did thing for himself much more. He also came to power by getting rid of the majority of the other political parties.
An archetypal theorist would say that Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. Stalin started out with the benefit of the working class in mind, but as time went on and things happened, he slowly became corrupt and did thing for himself much more. He also came to power by getting rid of the majority of the other political parties.
Snowball: Snowball is a character which truly wanted Animalism to thrive and wanted equality through everyone. Early on in the story he is chased away from the farm by Napoleon with trained guard dogs, but not before Napoleon copied the plans that Snowball created for the windmill and other ideas. (Orwell 22)
An archetypal theorist would say that Snowball represented Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was a true advocate of Marxism and lead a political party for it, until he was chased out of Russia by Stalin.
An archetypal theorist would say that Snowball represented Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was a true advocate of Marxism and lead a political party for it, until he was chased out of Russia by Stalin.
Squealer: Squealer is a character in Animal Farm that would follow Napoleon and make sure the animals thought he was good. Whenever something bad happened, Squealer would soon be there to place the blame on Snowball, and make sure no one noticed the corruption of the pigs. He also always gave the animals reason enough to agree to the pigs special treatment. (Orwell 15)
An archetypal theorist would say that Squealer represents the Russian propaganda during Stalin's time. The propaganda would cover any and all things that would mar the name of the communist party. Much of the bad happenings would be placed on Trotsky's name.
An archetypal theorist would say that Squealer represents the Russian propaganda during Stalin's time. The propaganda would cover any and all things that would mar the name of the communist party. Much of the bad happenings would be placed on Trotsky's name.
Battle of the Windmill: After the completion of the windmill on Animal Farm, Napoleon sells a stack of wood to Frederick, only to find that the money that was payed with was fraudulent. A few days later Frederick and several other farmers come and blow up the windmill, but are driven back by the animals. Squealer tries to propagate that they had won but the animals understand that the cost of victory was greater than what they had won. (Orwell 41)
An archetypal theorist would say that this battle represents World War II for the Russians. Russia was on the prevailing side of the war, but it cost millions upon millions of lives to do so. The Germans pushed very close to Moscow, which is represented my Animal Farm, but are repelled by the Russians, which are the animals.
An archetypal theorist would say that this battle represents World War II for the Russians. Russia was on the prevailing side of the war, but it cost millions upon millions of lives to do so. The Germans pushed very close to Moscow, which is represented my Animal Farm, but are repelled by the Russians, which are the animals.