Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Characterization
George Orwell doesn't seem to use much characterization except for a select few characters. Boxer, the donkey, and some select farmers and pigs are the only characters that George Orwell truly develops. The other animals are merely nameless followers, such as the sheep and the chickens. Admittedly, the sheep seem to display a collective personality, which is evident from their mindless bleating. However, Orwell does not "flesh them out" or characterize them nearly as much as, for example, a major character like Napoleon. While I think that Orwell uses many methods of characterization, he seems to rely on the inner thoughts of characters to show how totalitarian rulers twist the truth to gain power. The inner thoughts of the characters show how quickly and efficiently totalitarian rulers can take over and how the masses unthinkingly accept such a rulers right to rule.
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I noticed this as well. I don't understand, however, you're comment about their inner thoughts. Could you clarify?
ReplyDeleteOrwell gives you a glimpse into the minds of the animals. From this, you can see how effectively the pigs distort the truth. Eventually, the animals actually do believe that they are better off than before and that snowball was a villian.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I agree. You can sort of read that "Aha" moment as it becomes clear to them that they simply imagined such and such commandment said this, or Snowball helped during battle. It is interesting
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