The novel Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a satirical and allegorical novel used to represent the Russian Revolution. In Animal Farm there are gradual transformations that take place; such as the pigs into humans, which contributes to characterization. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, is a coming of age story which focusses on the creation of inner enemies. It is through the changing of the seasons that the characters of A Separate Peace themselves are able to grow and mature. Both Orwell and Knowles use the motif of transformation to further develop their characters. The pigs, as a whole, in Animal Farm represent the more intelligent upper class of society. They produce nothing yet received the rewards of other animals’ hard…show more content… They were all able to relax and act their age, “‘Afraid to jump out of that tree? I expect it’ll be a very pleasant jump.’ After we had swum around in the water for a while Finny said, ‘Will you do me the pleasure of jumping out of the tree?’ ‘My pleasure.” During this time the boys are worried about nothing except their own games. The war had not yet reached them, their innocence is still intact. This all changes as Finny’s fall ended the summer session on a grim note and ushered in the winter. “Peace had deserted Devon… the forces reassembled for it scattered the easygoing summer spirit like so many fallen leaves.” Now that Finny is gone so is the fun and freedom of the summer. The war has entered the grounds of Devon school, “First there was the local apple crop, threatening to rot because all the harvesters had gone into the army … we spent several shining days picking them.” The presence of the war changes the boys, they are no longer carefree and innocent they are now hard workers being transitioned into adulthood. The transformation from the summer session to the winter session changed the boys of Devon school by riding them of their innocence and ushering in war time. It is through the use of the motif of transformations that both Orwell and Knowles are able to further develop their characters. The selfish and greedy nature of the pigs in Animal Farm becomes more evident as they transform
