Snowball’s Allegorical Role in “Animal Farm”

George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” exemplifies the artistry of allegory, employing a deceptively simple narrative of rural fauna to probe into the realms of authority, decadence, and insurrection. Amidst the ensemble of characters, Snowball, the articulate swine, emerges as a figure of notable complexity, epitomizing profound ideals. To grasp Snowball’s significance within the narrative is to embark upon an inquiry into the essence of Orwell’s critique of Soviet Russia and, on a broader scale, the essence of revolutionary endeavors.

Snowball is widely construed as a personification of Leon Trotsky, a pivotal figure in the annals of the Russian Revolution and the nascent Soviet entity. Analogous to Trotsky, Snowball exhibits sagacity, fervor for the cause, and zealous advocacy for enhancements to the creatures’ existence. His stratagems for the wind-powered mill and assorted committees to refine farm productivity echo Trotsky’s intellectual pursuits and endeavors to modernize and industrialize Russia through the Five-Year Plans. However, akin to Trotsky’s fate, Snowball’s tenure on the farm is truncated by his coercive expulsion at the hands of Napoleon, symbolizing Joseph Stalin. This ousting heralds the cessation of Snowball’s direct sway over the farm, yet his legacy and the trepidation he instills in Napoleon persistently influence the farm’s political dynamics.

Snowball’s portrayal in “Animal Farm” transcends his depiction as Trotsky. He embodies the idealism and imperfections inherent in revolutionary leadership. Snowball sincerely espouses Animalism and endeavors to forge a utopia for all creatures. Yet, his stratagems and conceptions, though innovative, encounter opposition and ultimately become weapons turned against him by those lusting for dominion. This mirrors Orwell’s broader commentary on the degeneration of revolutionary ideals and the subversion of revolution by its leaders. Notably, the windmill project serves as a symbol of the promise and subsequent betrayal of the revolution, appropriated by Napoleon to consolidate his dominion and hegemony over the farm.

Furthermore, Snowball’s persona underscores the potency of propaganda and historical revisionism in perpetuating supremacy. Following his banishment, Snowball is demonized and held culpable for all the farm’s tribulations, notwithstanding his genuine contributions to the creatures’ cause. This distortion of truth and history mirrors the vilification of Trotsky and other political adversaries by the Soviet regime, underscoring Orwell’s apprehensions regarding the facile distortion of facts by those in authority.

In summation, Snowball’s character in “Animal Farm” constitutes a multilayered allegory for Leon Trotsky and the destiny of revolutionary leaders ousted by those they empower. Through Snowball, Orwell navigates themes of idealism, betrayal, and the erosion of revolutionary principles by individuals seeking personal aggrandizement. Snowball’s narrative serves as a cautionary tale regarding the intricacies of political dominance and the fragility of noble ideals in the face of unscrupulous manipulation. Consequently, Snowball emerges as one of Orwell’s most captivating and contemplative characters, encapsulating the tragedy of revolution betrayed and the eternal conflict between idealism and cynicism in the quest for a more equitable world.

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