Animal Farm is a classic by the late, great George Orwell. The book explores a world where the animals are finally free from their tyrant master - Mr. Jones. Animal Farm was inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917; when Lenin inspired an uprising that would lead to the redistribution of property but would all go south - depending on your viewpoint of Lenin's revolution.In Animal Farm, the animals rebel against Mr. Jones, inspired by Major; an old, dying boar. Soon Major dies and leaves the revolution in the hands of the other pigs. Quickly, Napoleon - based on Stalin - takes control of the farm and quickly establishes that "all animals are equal, but some are more than equal".Napoleon leads the Animalism movement, a direct reference towards communism and the Stalinist, authoritarian regime that controlled the Soviet Union since the rise of Stalin. Although Napoleon leads the movement he gains opposition in the form of Snowball - based on Leon Trotsky. Snowball wanted to continue the revolution by backing revolutions in other farms. Napoleon believed that the revolution should only take place on one farm. This is a direct reference towards the views of Stalin and Trotsky.The rivalry between Napoleons and Snowballs difference of opinion is shown through the windmill. Snowball wanted to build the windmill, but Napoleon was opposed to it. He also wanted to stockpile weapons. The windmill is used to represent the difference of opinion that Stalin and Trotsky had. Like I mentioned before, Snowball wanted to spread the revolution but Napoleon wanted to consolidate power. The idea is eventually put to a vote, but Snowball is quickly exiled from the farm. Again, a reference to Trotsky being exiled from the newly formed Soviet Union. I've decided to use this title to base my work on as the author is someone that I greatly admire. The book, Animal Farm is also one of my favourite pieces of literature. Over the coming days, I will brainstorm ideas before moving forward with the creative process. But first, I would like to research transmedia narratives and explore different options of how transmedia storytelling can be used.
Comments
Post a Comment