Karl MarxKarl was a revolutionary sociologist, historian and economist who published the Manifest der Kommunistichen Partei also known as The Communist Manifesto which is the most celebrated pamphlet in the socialist movement. He is the originator of Marxism, an ideology aiming for complete equality and a highly regarded idea for his theories and for others studying them (Encyclopedia Britannica).
ImpactsThe main way Karl Marx has an impact on the world are his through theories and his belief for a utopian society, where everyone shares their property, prophets and equal rights. This idea of a society is considered to be one of humanities greatest failure, events such as the Russian Revolution in 1917 was inspired by some of his theories which killed over 20 million people, his idea inspired Mao- ZeDong who, with his rise to power, killed 60 million people. Karl Marx has inspired some of the largest historical figures to accomplish what they did yet he has also corrupted them in their morality through the thirst of power and control over society.
Relation with the novel
Animal Farm by George Orwell relates to Karl Marx in the fact that the revolution the animals created were based off of one idea from a figure whom they all respected, Old Major. Before the death of Old Major he gave a speech to the rest of the animals “Your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest....we must not come to resemble him...No animal must ever live in a house or sleep in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or engage in trade."
All of this mimics to the situation of the Russian revolution, the Bolsheviks who was responsible for the execution of the Czar studied the theories of Karl Marx and then carried on the belief through how they ruled the Russian society afterwards. Times after the revolution sets a good example of how the beliefs of Karl Marx corrupts his believers, Stalin became greedy and executed 700,000 people yet millions were either exiled, imprisoned or dead in labour camps. Same for Napoleon, the idea provided by Old major corrupted him and made him in thirst for power over all the animals which only lead to the same trail left behind by Jones. |
Reasons/Success?
Orwell represented Karl Marx as Old Major due to the fact that Old Major was a well respected figure such as Karl Marx, everyone listened to the old pig and everyone believed in him. After his death everyone tried their best to carry out his last wishes, the elimination of mankind. The author wanted to emphasize how Karl Marx was well respected and highly regarded that he caused the disasters his believers did, therefore he had Old Major as the person everyone respected and was able to convince the animals to lead onto the terrible ending the novel had, the diffusion of animals and mankind plus the destruction of their own species.
Orwell was successful in expressing Karl Marx as Old Major as they both share a vital characteristic, both are highly respected and convincing to others. The words Old major spoke represented the works of Marx and by relying on how the animal’s society turned out it had a similar result to how real people had when they studied them. Theories featured in the novel includes the “Four legs good, two legs bad” statement, stating that any being relies on two legs to travel are enemies of animals.
Orwell was successful in expressing Karl Marx as Old Major as they both share a vital characteristic, both are highly respected and convincing to others. The words Old major spoke represented the works of Marx and by relying on how the animal’s society turned out it had a similar result to how real people had when they studied them. Theories featured in the novel includes the “Four legs good, two legs bad” statement, stating that any being relies on two legs to travel are enemies of animals.