George Orwell
George OrwellGeorge Orwell's Animal Farm is a political satire of a totalitarian society ruled by a mighty dictatorship, in all
probability an allegory for the events surrounding the
Russian Revolution of 1917. The animals of "Manor Farm"
overthrow their human master after a long history of
mistreatment. Led by the pigs, the farm animals continue to
do their work, only with more pride, knowing that they are
working for themselves, as opposed to working for humans.
Little by little, the pigs become dominant, gaining more
power and advantage over the other animals, so much so
that they become as corrupt and power-hungry as their
predecessors, the humans. The theme in Animal Farm
maintains that in every society there are leaders who, if
given the opportunity, will likely abuse their power.
The book begins in the barnyard of Mr. Jones' "Manor
Farm". The animals congregate at a meeting led by the prize
white boar, Major. Major points out to the assembled
animals that no animal in England is free. He further
explains that the products of their labor is stolen by man,
who alone benefits. Man, in turn, gives back to the animals
the bare minimum which will keep them from starvation while
he profits from the rest. The old boar tells them that the
source of all their problems is man, and that they must
remove man from their midst to abolish tyranny and hunger.
Days later Major dies, but the hope and pride which
he gave the other animals does not die. Under the
leadership of the pigs, the most intelligent of the animals,
they rebel against their human master managing to overthrow
him. After the rebellion, under the direction of Napoleon,
the most outspoken pig, and Snowball, the most eloquent pig,
the animals continue to work the farm successfully.
As with all societies, the animals have laws which
must be obeyed. Their laws stated that animals shall never
become like humans; cruel and manipulative. They shall not
wear clothing nor sleep in beds. Most importantly, they are
to respect one another's equality and killing another animal
is strictly forbidden.
Meanwhile, the pigs as leaders are taking bigger
food rations for themselves justifying their behavior as...
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