Life on the farm
Life on the farmWhat if the animals ran the world? George Orwell tried to answer this question on a smaller scale in his 1945 novel, Animal Farm. Animal Farm is a satire on Stalinism and the Russian revolution. Orwell wrote this novel at a time when communism was on the rise and Joseph Stalin ruled with an iron fist. The ideas in Animal Farm parallel in many ways the communist ideology. Orwell illustrates how easily swayed the public can be, and how easily susceptible to corruption are those in power.
The story takes place on a farm somewhere in England. An all-knowing narrator in the third person tells the story. The action of this novel starts when the oldest pig on the farm, Old Major, calls all animals to a secret meeting. He tells them about his dream of a revolution against the cruel Mr. Jones. Three days later, Major dies, but the speech gives the more intelligent animals a new outlook on life.
The pigs, which are considered the most intelligent animals, instruct the others. During the period of preparation two pigs can distinguish themselves, Napoleon and Snowball. Napoleon is big, and although he is not a good speaker, he can assert himself. Snowball is a better speaker; he has a lot of ideas and is very vivid. Together with another pig called Squealer, who is a very good speaker, they work out the theory of “Animalism.”
The rebellion starts some months later, when Mr. Jones comes home drunken one night, and forgets to feed the animals. They break out of the barns and run to the house, where the food is stored. When Mr. Jones recognizes this he takes out his shotgun, but it is too late for him, all the animals fall over him and drive him off the farm. The animals destroy all whips, nose rings, reins, and all other instruments that have been used to suppress them. The same day the animals celebrate their victory with an extra ration of food.
The pigs made up the seven commandments, and they wrote them above the door of the big barn. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend. No animal shall wear clothes. No animal shall sleep in a bed. No animal shall drink alcohol. No animal shall kill another animal. All animals are equal. The animals also agree that no animal shall ever enter the farmhouse, and that no animal shall have contact with humans. These commandments are summarized in the simple phrase: “Four legs good, two legs bad.”
After some time, Jones comes back with some other men from the village to recapture the farm. The animals fight bravely, and they manage to defend the farm....
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