Julie Tagg| Think and Write for CSEC English A and B

Religion is an important theme in Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”

Write an essay in which you examine the role of Moses in the novel. Discuss one literary device that is used to explore the theme of religion in the novel.

George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is an allegorical novel that explores the role of religion in society through the character of Moses, a raven. Moses represents how religion can be used to control the masses. In this essay, we will discuss the importance of Moses, the portrayal of religion, and the narrative device Orwell uses to explore these themes.

Moses promotes Sugarcandy Mountain, an afterlife destination that is not part of the animals’ governing principles of Animalism. He tries to shift attention from socioeconomic equality to spiritual salvation. Although some animals are skeptical, others find solace in his vision of a blissful existence after death.

Moses’s role is to remind us of how religion can be used to manipulate and control the masses. The pigs, who are becoming the ruling class of the farm, tolerate and endorse him. They recognize that religion can pacify discontented minds with the promise of a heavenly reward. By promoting Moses’s otherworldly doctrine, they use religion to divert attention from the harsh realities of their oppressive regime and maintain their own power.

Orwell uses satire to criticize religious beliefs and leaders. Moses’s depiction of Sugarcandy Mountain as an unimaginable paradise is a satirical commentary on religious dogma and our tendency for wishful thinking. Satire also allows Orwell to expose the hypocrisy of religious leaders and their manipulative tactics.

In conclusion, Moses symbolizes the manipulative potential of religion. Orwell’s portrayal offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith and how religion can be used to perpetuate oppression. By using satire, Orwell invites readers to critically examine the role of religion in society and exposes its follies and fallacies. “Animal Farm” serves as a reminder of the perils of totalitarianism and the complicit role that religion can play in its perpetuation.