Marxism and Animal Farm

            "Am I speaking when I say that I'm speaking?"" Foucault poses this question to refer to the problematic subjectivity of the modern man, as being inevitably affected by the great influence and omnipresence of ideology. This extract, which is taken from chapter eight of George Orwell's Animal Farm, revolves around this issue. At this point of the narrative, The animals appear to be totally submissive to and even grateful for the leadership of Napoleon, who decides now to avoid direct interaction with them as much as possible. With that being said, I intend to devote the first two parts of my essay to applying a Marxist reading to this passage using the theories of Michele Foucault and of Louis Althusser; while in the last part, I will attempt to draw a parallel between the actual sociopolitical situation in the farm and that in the Soviet Union after the Bolshevik Revolution and under the rule of Joseph Stalin.
             In this extract, the animal farm seems to turn into a Foucauldian panopticon where the animals display unwavering obedience, so much so that they have developed a sense of self-control for the sake of the oppressive rule of Napoleon. The latter, at this point of the narrative, starts avoiding public appearance and designates Squealer to the role of his representative. Interestingly, this does not reduce the power of his regime; on the contrary, the animals appear to be now submissive and even thankful for his rule over the farm.  Squealer's speeches of praise and gratitude where he would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon's wisdom, the goodness of his heart, and the deep love he bore to  all animals everywhere are not simply official statements but more significantly an accurate reflection of the public opinion about the actual political leadership in the farm. In fact, the narrative points out that. It had become usual to give Napoleon the credit for every successful achievement and every stroke of good fortune.