Imagery in Action: G. Orwell’s “Animal Farm”

Abstract

The present paper is a literary stylistic analysis that highlights the imagery, the allegorical significance, linguistic manipulation or abuse of language in the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. Orwell’s sophisticated exposure of political abuse of language is one of the most typical characteristics of Animal Farm and an indispensable part of his imagery. Seemingly a plain story of animals, inwardly this novel is an allegory that refers to power struggle, usurpation, intimidation, exploitation, hypocrisy, corruption, political racket and terror of the ruling classes in whatever form they may appear (human or animal). However serious the theme is, Orwell has made it fictitious and amusing through his vivid imagery and artful use of literary devices. With its clear, deceptively simple, but creatively honed prose style and expressive language, the novel is a source of great aesthetic and intellectual pleasure and political insight.

Keywords

• Orwell
• imagery as a literary device
• allegory
• linguistic manipulation
• political insight