Robert Pearce S Views Of The R Essay, Research Paper

In this essay, Robert Pearce contends that Leo Tolstoy and George Orwell share more similarities than not. He also maintains that Tolstoy s writings influenced George Orwell. He claims that particular passages in Animal Farm can be linked to some of Tolstoy s writings. With this in mind, he concludes that the relationship between the two is worthy of further study.

Pearce opens his essay with references to passages that depict Orwell, in his own essay, blatantly attacking Tolstoy and Tolstoy s criticism of Shakespeare s King Lear. Pearce uses this to show the two men as polar opposites, in both their temperament and their artistic aims (par 1). However, he continues by asserting that in reality, Orwell admired Tolstoy and that Tolstoy furnished him with material for one of the most significant episodes in Animal Farm (par 2). In this opening passage, the reader realizes that Pearce is familiar with essays written by Orwell, with Tolstoy s works, with biographies of both men, and to the history of the times in which Orwell and Tolstoy wrote. Pearce is able to show how, with the passages he chose to cite, the two writers can be seen as opposites.

Pearce maintains that Tolstoy s railing against King Lear was not only a result of the likenesses between King Lear and Tolstoy, but also because Tolstoy envied Shakespeare and his reputation. Likewise, he claims the same holds true for Orwell. Orwell admired Tolstoy. Orwell felt that Tolstoy would be able to sustain any attack made by him because Tolstoy was great (par 3). In this instance, Pearce s use of the word superficially indicates that he does not agree with the general view of Orwell s relationship with Tolstoy.

Pearce continues to back up his assertion that Orwell admired Tolstoy by citing examples of comments made by Orwell about Tolstoy s works and characters in his works. He maintains that Orwell was familiar with many of Tolstoy s writings, even those that were not as well known. While Pearce admits that there is no proof that Orwell read A Confession: The Gospel in Brief and What I Believe by Tolstoy, Pearce contends that this is the book that influenced George Orwell in Animal Farm (par 5). Pearce theorizes that Orwell may have read extracts of the book in other sources as he was working on Animal Farm.

Pearce does not intimate that Tolstoy alone influenced Orwell in Animal Farm. He agrees that there are parallels between Russian history and the plot of Animal Farm (par 6). However, he asserts that Orwell was not limited to one country s history, but rather Orwell used the history of many governments to make his analogies. Pearce maintains that the rewriting of the principles of Animalism cannot be found in Russian history. Pearce proposes that Tolstoy inspired Orwell with this idea.

Pearce scrutinizes the way Orwell changed the Commandments in Animal Farm. He maintains that Orwell read extracts of Tolstoy s biography by Leon. In it, Tolstoy observes how the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount had become almost their opposites in the mouths of Russian Orthodox clerics (par 8). Pearce continues to show the parallelisms between the Sermon precepts and the later interpretations by the clerics. This, Pearce maintains, may well have inspired the rewriting of the principles of Animalism (par 9).

Pearce continues to cite the ways in which Tolstoy showed how the commandments were perverted by the addition of negating clauses. When the reader sees how the commandments in Animal Farm are juxtaposed with the precepts by the Russian clergy, it is easy to conclude with Pearce that Tolstoy had a direct influence on him (par 11). Even though Pearce uses the word speculative (par 10) because he cannot prove without a shadow of a doubt that Orwell read Tolstoy s religious piece, Pearce is able to persuade the reader that Orwell is familiar with the work by characterizing Orwell as a bibliophile and by the physical way in which Orwell wrote his Commandments: Orwell italicized his codas as did Tolstoy (par 10). With this preponderance of circumstantial evidence, Pearce is able to convince the reader that his premise is true. Tolstoy did influence Orwell.

Not only does Pearce maintain that Tolstoy influenced Orwell in the passage about the Commandments for the Animals, but he also maintains that Tolstoy s characterization of Striker the horse influenced the character of Boxer. He continues comparing similarities in passages in other works, in scenes, in character depictions, and in themes. Pearce s ability to link these similarities shows his familiarity with the work of both authors.

Pearce concludes that while it may be coincidence that so many similarities exist, it proves that there are more similarities between the two than had been thought. Pearce compares the self-portraits of the two writers. He notes the closeness in the years of their death. He lists their similarities in personal characteristics, their careers, and their beliefs. Pearce makes these observations without using emotive language. He presents his arguments in a matter-of-fact manner. In doing so, the reader is forced to conclude with Pearce that with so many similarities, further study may be warranted.