From Utopia to Dystopia: The Cyclical Nature of Power in Orwell’s Animal Farm

Abstract

This article explores the cyclical nature of power as depicted in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, focusing on the progression from utopia to dystopia. Initially a critique of the Russian Revolution and Stalinist Russia, Orwell’s novella illustrates the corrupting influence of centralized authority and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Through the characters of Napoleon and Snowball, Orwell reflects the historical figures of Stalin and Trotsky, showing how revolutions driven by ideals of equality often devolve into new forms of tyranny. The article examines Orwell’s use of allegory and symbolism to convey his broader critique of totalitarianism and the universal dangers of unchecked power. The final transformation of the pigs into human-like oppressors underscores the tragic cycle in which the oppressed become indistinguishable from their former rulers. Orwell’s message remains relevant today, offering a timeless warning about the fragility of freedom and the corrosive effects of absolute power.