Critical analysis of the story of three pigs

Question

Give a brief critical analysis of the story of three pigs. What are the strengths and weaknesses, if any, of each?

Answer 1

The story is set on the phase of industrialisation, development where the labours had to struggle in all means to make both their ends meet. On submitting a critical analysis, it is necessary to point out that comparing and contrasting on the interpretations of many critics on the theme, plot and characters of the story; we come to a conclusion that the story is inspired by the facets of the era in which it was created. To the very submissive exception that it also shows a tinge of rebellion in an intelligent way.  The story is cast against a plot where the powerful bourgeoisie is overwhelmingly taking over the birthrights of the poor labour and exploiting him in every possible way. This is being personified by the wolf who goes from one door to another in search of his prey. The pig is the personification of the common man among whom one among the three might be crafty enough to ditch the cruel fox. This is a scenic pictorial representation of the common man waiting to pull the tyrants into trouble and the tyrants who never understand the issues of the common man along with giving them a tough life out of their expectations. It is a classic Maoist show that the revolution for ultimate freedom and rights to birthright is continuous and also that the autocratic regime of the powerful is not eternally stable as it ought to be in the past. This also indicates the rise of a crafty rebellion against the powerful who exploits the results of the poor man’s toils.

The story also expresses the internal conflict of a sojourner against the evil forces that lie within him. It virtually shows the  life of a common man who has to uphold his virtues against the powerful vices that surround him and move ahead in a world polluted with tyranny and hypocrisy. It also exposes the fact that the virtuous people are always defended by the intelligent will of the Lord and that those who pry upon the innocent will fall into the ditch made by themselves one day. This was thoroughly expressed in the poem. And as a limited indication it implies that life is not injustice although it gives testing period to a certain extent. Critical analysis brings out the fact that the society was undergoing a period of struggle in this era when the story was penned.