Life of Karl Marx
Karl Marx was a man with few friends. His ideas of a communist society were only known by a few people. Nowadays, many communist leaders use Karl Marx's ideas as the fundamental structure of modern day communism.
Born in May 5th 1818 in Tier, Germany, Karl Marx studied Philosophy in the University of Berlin. His entire family was baptized, however throughout Marx's life, he has many times, criticized his religion. According to guardian.co.uk, "Marx famously said that all criticism begins with the criticism of religion. " (Karl Marx, part 1: Religion, the wrong answer to the right question, 2011). This is proved through his famous slogan, "Religion is the opium of the people."
At the age of 24, Karl Marx went onto work editor of paper in Cologne, Germany. However, he was often censored because of his philosophical thoughts and radical ideas. He later on fled to Paris with his wife Jenny Von Westphalen, in an attempt to escape arrest.
Soon after, Karl Marx was banished from Paris in 1845, and went off to live in Brussels's in Germany for a few years. He eventually returned to Paris, but was expelled again. Karl Marx then escaped to England, where he spent the remaining 30 or so years of his life.
Life in England was tough, as Karl Marx lived in extreme poverty. However, he often went to the British Museum Library to study. Since Karl Marx's beliefs were very radical, he had very few friends. One friend of his, Fredrick Engels, still had faith in Karl Marx's theories, and went on to publish "The Communist Manifesto". A book written by himself and Karl Marx, establishing the fundamental ideas of communism.
Karl Marx died on March 14th, 1883 in London.
Born in May 5th 1818 in Tier, Germany, Karl Marx studied Philosophy in the University of Berlin. His entire family was baptized, however throughout Marx's life, he has many times, criticized his religion. According to guardian.co.uk, "Marx famously said that all criticism begins with the criticism of religion. " (Karl Marx, part 1: Religion, the wrong answer to the right question, 2011). This is proved through his famous slogan, "Religion is the opium of the people."
At the age of 24, Karl Marx went onto work editor of paper in Cologne, Germany. However, he was often censored because of his philosophical thoughts and radical ideas. He later on fled to Paris with his wife Jenny Von Westphalen, in an attempt to escape arrest.
Soon after, Karl Marx was banished from Paris in 1845, and went off to live in Brussels's in Germany for a few years. He eventually returned to Paris, but was expelled again. Karl Marx then escaped to England, where he spent the remaining 30 or so years of his life.
Life in England was tough, as Karl Marx lived in extreme poverty. However, he often went to the British Museum Library to study. Since Karl Marx's beliefs were very radical, he had very few friends. One friend of his, Fredrick Engels, still had faith in Karl Marx's theories, and went on to publish "The Communist Manifesto". A book written by himself and Karl Marx, establishing the fundamental ideas of communism.
Karl Marx died on March 14th, 1883 in London.
Karl Marx and Who...?
Karl Marx is most relatable to Old Major, the oldest and wisest pig on Animal Farm.
Similar to Old Major in Animal Farm, Karl Marx did not live to see his ideas being used in the future. Karl Marx lived in a time where communism was not as popular as it is today. “If only Marx were still by my side to see this with his own eyes!” (F. Engles, 1890). Meanwhile, Old Major died only 3 days after his influential speech.
There was a similarity between Old Major’s wishes, as well as Karl Marx's wishes. According the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels, it dreamt of a utopia where the Proletariats would eventually overthrow the capitalists, owners of private property. "What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable." (Marx, K., Engels, F., Moore, S., & McLellan, D, 1992). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Similar to Old Major's wish, where the labor force being the Animals, aim to overthrow the capitalists, Man.
Another correlation found between Karl Marx and Old Major's thoughts, is the assumption of splitting society into two opposing forces. For Karl Marx, it is the Bourgeois and the Proletarians. Meanwhile for Old Major, it is the Animals, and Humans. Similar, they both believe that one half of society, is in charge of production, while the other half is focused on consumption.Their resolutions are both similar, of how the proletariats would inevitably defeat the capitalists, "All men are enemies, all animals are comrades."(Orwell, 1945), and transform into a society where everybody is equal.
Similar to Old Major in Animal Farm, Karl Marx did not live to see his ideas being used in the future. Karl Marx lived in a time where communism was not as popular as it is today. “If only Marx were still by my side to see this with his own eyes!” (F. Engles, 1890). Meanwhile, Old Major died only 3 days after his influential speech.
There was a similarity between Old Major’s wishes, as well as Karl Marx's wishes. According the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels, it dreamt of a utopia where the Proletariats would eventually overthrow the capitalists, owners of private property. "What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable." (Marx, K., Engels, F., Moore, S., & McLellan, D, 1992). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Similar to Old Major's wish, where the labor force being the Animals, aim to overthrow the capitalists, Man.
Another correlation found between Karl Marx and Old Major's thoughts, is the assumption of splitting society into two opposing forces. For Karl Marx, it is the Bourgeois and the Proletarians. Meanwhile for Old Major, it is the Animals, and Humans. Similar, they both believe that one half of society, is in charge of production, while the other half is focused on consumption.Their resolutions are both similar, of how the proletariats would inevitably defeat the capitalists, "All men are enemies, all animals are comrades."(Orwell, 1945), and transform into a society where everybody is equal.
Why Did George Orwell Represent the Character the Way He Did?
George Orwell shows a great deal of respect for Karl Marx, as Old Major had given such an empowering and well written speech, which places the character, under the eyes of the other characters in the book as well as the reader, in a positive light.
Karl Marx is represented as a wise, old, sophisticated character. However George Orwell, being a democratic socialist, does not entirely agree with the idea of a Marxist society. Therefore, George Orwell inserted subtle hints of irony into Old Major’s speech, which reflects on George Orwell’s opinion on Karl Marx, and questing the purposes of Karl Marx's ideology.
Irony in Old Majors speech can be shown when the boar stated how the animals lives are short, and once the animals are useless, are then slaughtered for men. However, Old Major said before, that he “had a long life, I have much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall.” (Orwell, 1945). This quote, reflects the imperfection in Karl Marx's ideas and opinions. In a further extent, reflecting the imperfection of Communism, and possibly Marxism.
The irony in Old Major’s speech also showed a subtle criticism by George Orwell on his opinion on Marxism (formed by Karl Marx). Many people believed that marxism was a political ideology not concerning other countries cultures and beliefs. In other words, only worked for industrial based societies such as Great Britain and Germany, Karl Marx’s homeland. According to HistoryLearninSite.co.uk, “Marxism was a difficult belief to apply in Russia as the nation was primarily an agricultural nation” (historylearningsite, n.d.). Added with the lack of education and superstition in Russia during the 1920's, Russia is less than willing to embrace the ideologies of Marxism. This point reflects on the difficulty of applying Old Major's ideology into Animal Farm.
Moreover, Old Major never took under consideration how the farm would be governed after the revolution. Old Major only focuses on the rights and equality of every individual on Animal Farm, however never took account how the farm would be sustained afterwards. Old Major's ideas are more appealing to emotion rather than being pragmatic, as many of his ideas are centered on the happiness of the Animals, which can only be achieved by vanquishing man. Although Old Major’s speech was stimulating, and created a sense of hope and determination for an Animal utopia, his intensions were not very practical and well thought through.
George Orwell therefore has shown his subtle criticisms of Karl Marx as a person, as well as his intensions, even though were good ones, were too imaginary and not realistic. "Marx did not concern himself much with practical problems but concentrated only on the revolution itself." (Britannica Student Encyclopedia, n.d.).
References:
communism. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-199007
socialism. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551569/socialism
Karl Marx. (n.d.). History Learning Site. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/karl_marx.htm
"Karl Marx." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Student Resources In Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
Marx, Karl. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-9275714
" Karl Marx, part 1: Religion, the wrong answer to the right question | Peter Thompson | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk ." Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/apr/04/karl-marx-religion>.
Images:
RealClearWorld - Will Karl Marx Have the Last Laugh?. (n.d.). RealClearWorld: World News, Analysis & Commentary. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.realclearworld.com/2013/03/27/will_karl_marx_have_the_last_laugh_146596.html
BrainPOP | Social Studies | Learn about Communism. (n.d.). BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts . Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/economics/communism/
The Communist Manifesto. (n.d.). The Communist Manifesto (original text). Retrieved April 3, 2013, from thepeoplescube.com/peoples-tools/the-communist-manifesto-original-text-t3022.html
Karl Marx is represented as a wise, old, sophisticated character. However George Orwell, being a democratic socialist, does not entirely agree with the idea of a Marxist society. Therefore, George Orwell inserted subtle hints of irony into Old Major’s speech, which reflects on George Orwell’s opinion on Karl Marx, and questing the purposes of Karl Marx's ideology.
Irony in Old Majors speech can be shown when the boar stated how the animals lives are short, and once the animals are useless, are then slaughtered for men. However, Old Major said before, that he “had a long life, I have much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall.” (Orwell, 1945). This quote, reflects the imperfection in Karl Marx's ideas and opinions. In a further extent, reflecting the imperfection of Communism, and possibly Marxism.
The irony in Old Major’s speech also showed a subtle criticism by George Orwell on his opinion on Marxism (formed by Karl Marx). Many people believed that marxism was a political ideology not concerning other countries cultures and beliefs. In other words, only worked for industrial based societies such as Great Britain and Germany, Karl Marx’s homeland. According to HistoryLearninSite.co.uk, “Marxism was a difficult belief to apply in Russia as the nation was primarily an agricultural nation” (historylearningsite, n.d.). Added with the lack of education and superstition in Russia during the 1920's, Russia is less than willing to embrace the ideologies of Marxism. This point reflects on the difficulty of applying Old Major's ideology into Animal Farm.
Moreover, Old Major never took under consideration how the farm would be governed after the revolution. Old Major only focuses on the rights and equality of every individual on Animal Farm, however never took account how the farm would be sustained afterwards. Old Major's ideas are more appealing to emotion rather than being pragmatic, as many of his ideas are centered on the happiness of the Animals, which can only be achieved by vanquishing man. Although Old Major’s speech was stimulating, and created a sense of hope and determination for an Animal utopia, his intensions were not very practical and well thought through.
George Orwell therefore has shown his subtle criticisms of Karl Marx as a person, as well as his intensions, even though were good ones, were too imaginary and not realistic. "Marx did not concern himself much with practical problems but concentrated only on the revolution itself." (Britannica Student Encyclopedia, n.d.).
References:
communism. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-199007
socialism. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551569/socialism
Karl Marx. (n.d.). History Learning Site. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/karl_marx.htm
"Karl Marx." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Student Resources In Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
Marx, Karl. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-9275714
" Karl Marx, part 1: Religion, the wrong answer to the right question | Peter Thompson | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk ." Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/apr/04/karl-marx-religion>.
Images:
RealClearWorld - Will Karl Marx Have the Last Laugh?. (n.d.). RealClearWorld: World News, Analysis & Commentary. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.realclearworld.com/2013/03/27/will_karl_marx_have_the_last_laugh_146596.html
BrainPOP | Social Studies | Learn about Communism. (n.d.). BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts . Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/economics/communism/
The Communist Manifesto. (n.d.). The Communist Manifesto (original text). Retrieved April 3, 2013, from thepeoplescube.com/peoples-tools/the-communist-manifesto-original-text-t3022.html