DWA

         

Fidel Ruler of Cuba/ Napoleon Ruler of the Barn

Authors Note: This might be one of the most difficult essays I have written.

One is a fictional character. The other was a real life ruler of Cuba. That is the only distinct difference. Napoleon is a fictional pig who takes over the barnyard in Animal Farm. Fidel Castro on the other hand is a real life dictator who controlled Cuba through the Cold War and after.  The similarities of the two are striking.

            In the book Animal Farm the barn animals drive out the humans that are taking advantage of the animals. Napoleon then steps in and takes charge of the barnyard putting the Seven Commandments into effect making the animals equal though making some “more equal” than others. He started the army of dogs that did his bidding. On the offshore island Cuba in 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew the government and became Prime Minister (A&E Publications).

Castro's experience as a lawyer made him extremely aware of the great problems in wealth that existed in Cuba. Like many other Cubans, Castro hated the wealth and power of the American businessmen who appeared to control the country. Likewise Napoleon hated the rule of the original dictators, the humans

            However, in both instances there is a case of a flaw in the government. In the book Animal Farm in the beginning there were the humans and they ran the barn yard effectively but unfairly; this is an example of the flaw in the government. With the pigs they may have started with everyone equal but later changed the pigs to having more rights (Orwell). In Cuba the flaw in the government was the American population moving in and taking over the economy (Spartacus Educational).

            With the apparent similarities some people don’t get that impression. Instead they read the book and the words travel right though their eyes into their heads. This story was written based on the Bolshevik Revolution of Russia, but you wouldn’t know that from the book. This teaches me the old lesson of don’t judge a book by the cover.

Bibliography

A&E Publications. "Fidel Castro." 1996-2012. A&E Television Networks. 18 March 2012 <http://www.biography.com/people/fidel-castro-9241487>.

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. 1946.

Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational. 2010. 20 March 2012 <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDcastroF.htm>.