Revolution is defined as the overthrow of a ruler or government. In many revolutions, there is a circle of events that starts right after a revolution and ends with the society ready to rebel again. Animal Farm is a book that was based on the Russian Revolution, and this paper is intended to answer the question, "Does Animal Farm represent the cycle of events that many revolutions exhibit?".
Most revolutions begin with one basic thought: there is something wrong with this society and something should be done about it. The individuals within the society could be unhappy because they are being abused as the animals were in Animal Farm. They also could be fascinated with the idea of what a new world would be like (e.g. Old Major's dreams and the song "Beasts of England"). Finally, when all of the mistreatments become too much, the society will rebel against the system. Sometimes the government will be able to stop the revolution, but in Animal Farm as with many other revolutions, they could not.
Animal Farm is a perfect example of the early stages of a post-revolutionary society. The first thing that usually happens after a revolution is a period of sheer chaos, and usually the larger the society the longer its duration. In Animal Farm, the animal gorged themselves on food and other items they had been denied under Mr. Jones. When a leader (or leaders) steps up (e.g. Snowball, Napoleon, and the other pigs), the chaos is subdued. After the chaos is subdued, the animals quickly came up with the list of Seven Commandments. This is also the case with humans. Furthermore, the leaders also designate appropriate celebrations to commemorate the revolution. In Animal Farm, they decided to sing "The Beasts of England", to fire the gun, and to award medals to brave animals. These are the early stages of a new human society.
"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, April 3, 1887).
