Critical Thinking within Orwell's "Animal Farm" (Essay Sample)

Animal Farm Analysis
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Introduction
The novel, Animal Farm, is classic literature written in the early 1940s. It is an allegory for the rise of the Soviet Union. The novel tells the story of animals who rebel against their human farmer, only to be ruled by a new yet equally oppressive leader (Orwell, 1989). The novel is an excellent example of the problems that can arise when people allow a single individual or group to seize power. It is also an important reminder that individuals must always remain vigilant to protect their liberties.
Critical Thinking Encounters in The Novel
Critical thinking is a skill that requires some time and effort to develop. It can be difficult for people with less exposure or experience with critical thinking skills, as they may not have learned or practiced these skills in a school or other settings. George Orwell uses critical thinking skills to illustrate his belief that totalitarianism would eventually be corrupted by power and greed, even if it started with good intentions. He also wanted to show how communism was a flawed system that could never work in practice, or as he put it, "how the socialist dream turned into a nightmare" (Orwell, 1989). To attract the reader's audience, the author uses animals as protagonists. For example, the pigs in charge of the farm decide to teach the animals to read and write. They tell the animals that this knowledge helps them understand how humans dominate them and teach them how to revolt. But when they get a taste of reading and writing, the animals are only more confused than before. The pigs tell them that this is because their education is not complete yet, but there is no evidence that they ever finish teaching them.
The consequences of Orwell's classic novel Animal Farm
First, Orwell portrays the corruption of power through his use of satire and allegory. The pigs are presented as being more