Decemberists in animal farm
The tsar’s death in 1825 created a gap in the Russian leadership. Alexander had no legitimate children, so there was confusion over which of his two brothers would succeed him. The eldest brother, Constantine, was technically next in line but had given up his right to be tsar when he married a woman outside of his class. Therefore, the crown passed to the youngest brother, Nicholas I, but with public scandal. Many people suspected a conspiracy played by evil mind of Nicholas.
The first rebellion, known as the Decembrist, took place in December 1825. Members of the upper classes, including many formers soldiers, staged a revolt after the death of Alexander I. 3,000 Russian soldiers marched into the center of St. Petersburg, demanding that Constantine take the throne and also calling for a constitution. The uprising was quickly suppressed, and the surviving demonstrators, who called themselves Decembrists, were arrested and exiled to Siberia.The revolt failed, but it provided an inspiration to succeeding generations of dissidents. In the coming years, they came to be seen as heroes among Russian revolutionaries.
At Animal Farm Mr. Jones was irresponsible to his animals. He would let the animals starve, sometimes he beats them with a whip, and sometimes he mixes milk in animal mash. Old Major proposes a solution to the animals desperate plight on Manor Farm. He inspires thoughts of rebellion in the animals minds by strong speech. His stirring speech overcomes his death and the animals start working on bringing the rebellion.
The rebellion in the book Animal Farm takes place in midsummer, on the day of the summer solstice. This has significance because this is the longest day of the year, and each day after it marches into winter.
Much similarity between the The Decemberists and the rebellion at animal farm is noticed. both facets stood up against their leader because they were treated unfairly.
The first rebellion, known as the Decembrist, took place in December 1825. Members of the upper classes, including many formers soldiers, staged a revolt after the death of Alexander I. 3,000 Russian soldiers marched into the center of St. Petersburg, demanding that Constantine take the throne and also calling for a constitution. The uprising was quickly suppressed, and the surviving demonstrators, who called themselves Decembrists, were arrested and exiled to Siberia.The revolt failed, but it provided an inspiration to succeeding generations of dissidents. In the coming years, they came to be seen as heroes among Russian revolutionaries.
At Animal Farm Mr. Jones was irresponsible to his animals. He would let the animals starve, sometimes he beats them with a whip, and sometimes he mixes milk in animal mash. Old Major proposes a solution to the animals desperate plight on Manor Farm. He inspires thoughts of rebellion in the animals minds by strong speech. His stirring speech overcomes his death and the animals start working on bringing the rebellion.
The rebellion in the book Animal Farm takes place in midsummer, on the day of the summer solstice. This has significance because this is the longest day of the year, and each day after it marches into winter.
Much similarity between the The Decemberists and the rebellion at animal farm is noticed. both facets stood up against their leader because they were treated unfairly.
GEORGE ORWELL'S POINT OF VIEW
George Orwell portrayed the Decembrist as the beginning of Animal Farm. Instead of making it an entire rebellion, Orwell portrayed it as Old Major's speech. Orwell thought that instead of writing three rebellions he could change one of them into a speech. The speech was as motivating as the rebellion and it got the Pigs to do what the bolsheviks did. George Orwell did not however show that the Decembrist fail which is what gave the other revolutionist the motive to rebell.
my opinion of the comparison
All the evidence given above truly proves that Orwell made a connection with Old Major's speech and the Decembrist. The connection was made in a totally different way as in the Decembrist it was motivation and in Animal Farm it was a persuasive speech. Even though the motive was very different George Orwell managed to make Animal Farm a copy of the Russian Revolution. This connection is one of the hardest and Orwell made it seem like it happend in Russia.