An Existentialist Study On Animal Farm And1984

Animal Farm and1984are the two most famous novels written by GeorgeOrwell, depicting the horrible realities lived by innocent individuals underdictatorship and thus, highly praised by many critics as the most vivid prediction andwarning about the future world. Taken overall, however, the previous researchesboth at home and abroad exhibit a relatively narrow view of these two novels: theresearching focus is to a great extent on the discussion of anti-totalitarianism andanti-utopianism, revealing an intensively political flavor, and due attention is notpaid to Animal Farm. What’s more, examined from the content of the two novels,1984can be read as the further development of Animal Farm.Since Orwell was keenly aware of the influence of politics upon people’s lives,almost all of his novels and essays are concerned with the topic of relationshipbetween politics and people’s life, which indicates his deep concern over the fate ofhuman beings. It’s true that in these two novels a world of total power is constructedand human individuality and human community are destroyed in a state of collectiveinsanity. Meanwhile, protagonists created in the two novels are brave andcourageous to fight for what they cherish. In this regard, Orwell’s writing purposecan be interpreted as an attempt to guide people in a world full of despair onto aroad even with merely an ounce of freedom and hope. This research aims to presenta complete picture of life under totalitarianism from the perspective of Sartreanexistentialism.Originated in1940s, Sartrean existentialism is generally regarded as the mostinfluential and comprehensive philosophy, uncovering the absurdity and despair ofhuman existence and underlining man’s existential values through free choices andactions. In the same manner, Animal Farm and1984present the black future of oursociety and on the other hand spare no efforts to encourage freedom of choice andactions in a world full of darkness and despair. In this sense, some core existentialistviews are expressed in these two novels, which reflect Orwell’s awareness of man’s existence and dilemmas.This thesis is made up of five chapters. The first chapter endeavors to give abrief introduction to Animal Farm and1984as well as Sartrean existentialism. In thesecond chapter, the plight of man’s existence in the two novels is discussed. In thefollowing chapter comes the exploration of freedom of choice and actions by themajor characters of the novels. This chapter consists of three parts: major characters’longing for freedom of choice; the hero Snowball’s and the foil Boxer’s search forself and the hero Winston’s and the heroine Julia’s search for humanistic freedom.Chapter Four evaluates the results of free choice and actions by major characters.Finally, a conclusion is drawn out in the fifth chapter.The critical reading of Animal Farm and1984from Sartrean existentialism isintended to enrich the research of George Orwell’s political writings. Mostsignificantly, suggestions on living a life full of freedom and hope may be hinted inthe process of this reading.