Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy.
Animal Farm has to do with the capacity for ordinary individuals to continue to believe in a revolution that has been utterly betrayed. Orwell attempts to reveal how those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pig's pervert the democratic promise of the revolution. The animals complete harvest and meet every Sunday to debate farm policy. When Jones forgets to feed the animals.
Animal Farm is a 1945 anti-utopian satire by George Orwell. It is political fable based on the events of Russia's Bolshevik revolution and Joseph Stalin's betrayal of the cause. The story follows a group of barnyard animals that overthrow and chase away their exploitative human rulers in order to establish their own egalitarian civilization. Pigs, the intelligent and power-hungry leaders of animals, eventually betray the revolution. The pigs construct a dictatorship even more harsh and merciless than their former human masters, concluding that "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" (with its addendum to the animals' seventh commandment: "All creatures are equal").
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Animal Farm
Overview
Allegory of Rebellion & Corruption
The animals of Manor Farm in England rebel against their farmer, Mr. Jones, and rename their homestead Animal Farm. Although they begin with guidelines for equality, the pigs eventually rule by fear, setting up a totalitarian existence. In this memorable allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the characters represent specific historical figures.
Main Character
Napoleon
Leader of rebellion who rules by fear; represents Soviet leader Joseph Stalin
Squealer
Manipulative pig; represents Russian media, which spread propaganda to the masses
Snowball
Intellectual pig cast out from the farm; represents banished Russian leader Leon Trotsky
Old Major
Old, wise pig; represents socialist revolutionary Karl Marx
Boxer
Powerful but dense cart horse; represents the proletariat
Mr. Jones
Represents the tyrannical Tsar Nicholas II
Themes
Exploitation
Animal Farm illustrates how class stratification occurs when someone holds power over an overworked and undereducated underclass.
Deception
To maintain rule, Napoleon and the other pigs lie to the other animals, changing the rules.
Corruption
A critique of Soviet Communism, Animal Farm shows how a totalitarian society can emerge after a rebellion intended for equality.
Author
GEORGE ORWELL 1903-50
Born Eric Arthur Blair in British-controlled India, he used the name George Orwell for publication. Written during World War II, Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution that criticizes the Stalinist government. Through his writings, Orwell became a leading voice on political and social issues.
Numbering
1954
Year Animal Farm was adapted as an animated film directed by John Halas and Joy Batchelor
7
Commandments the animals begin with in Animal Farm, which is reduced to one
9
Attack dogs raised by Napoleon to enforce his demands through fear
4
Publishers that rejected Animal Farm
Motifs
Songs & Chants
The songs and chants the animals sing to rally for rebellion illustrate the pigs' control.
Religion & Ritual
The working animals' attachment to beliefs and rules shows a penchant for hysteria and vulnerability to being controlled.
Animal Farm Book Summary
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Animal Farm
Overview
Main Character
Themes
Allegory of Rebellion & Corruption
The animals of Manor Farm in England rebel against their farmer, Mr. Jones, and rename their homestead Animal Farm. Although they begin with guidelines for equality, the pigs eventually rule by fear, setting up a totalitarian existence. In this memorable allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the characters represent specific historical figures.
Napoleon
Leader of rebellion who rules by fear; represents Soviet leader Joseph Stalin
Squealer
Manipulative pig; represents Russian media, which spread propaganda to the masses
Snowball
Intellectual pig cast out from the farm; represents banished Russian leader Leon Trotsky
Old Major
Old, wise pig; represents socialist revolutionary Karl Marx
Boxer
Powerful but dense cart horse; represents the proletariat