Book Review: Animal Farm by George Orwell
A deep dive into Animal Farm by George Orwell—its themes, symbolism, and relevance today. A must-read critique of power and corruption.
Introduction
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a classic that really packs a punch as a political story and a warning about the risks of totalitarianism. Released in 1945, this short book takes a satirical look at the Russian Revolution and the rise of communism under Stalin. With a bunch of farm animals standing in for real historical figures and events, Orwell weaves a gripping tale that digs into themes of power, corruption, and propaganda.
In this review, we’ll explore the plot, key themes, character breakdown, and how the book has influenced literature and society.
Plot Summary
Animal Farm takes place in a place called Manor Farm, where the owner, Mr. Jones, is often drunk and neglectful. The animals, led by some clever pigs, decide to rebel against him and create their own rules based on “Animalism,” which is all about equality and self-governance. The key players in this revolution are Old Major, a wise old boar who gets everyone fired up, and two younger pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, who end up taking the lead. Once they successfully kick out Mr. Jones, the farm is renamed Animal Farm, and they start working toward a perfect society. But things get messy when Snowball and Napoleon clash over how things should run, leading to Snowball getting kicked out. Napoleon, with the help of his sneaky right-hand pig, Squealer, grabs all the power and starts acting a lot like a dictator. He changes the rules to fit his needs, rewrites history, and uses fear, thanks to his trained dogs, to keep everyone in line. By the end, the pigs have become just like the humans they got rid of, driving home Orwell’s big idea: that power can corrupt people, and if you have too much of it, it can really mess you up.
Themes and Symbolism
One of the coolest things about Animal Farm is how it uses symbolism to highlight the way the Soviet Union fell into dictatorship. Each major character stands for a real historical figure or an idea from the Russian Revolution.
- Power and Corruption: Orwell shows how people in power often take advantage of their position for their own benefit. Napoleon starts as a leader for the animals, but he quickly turns into a dictator, much like Stalin did when he took over.
- Propaganda and Manipulation: Squealer is all about propaganda, using tricky statistics and emotional stories to make the animals believe that their struggles are for a good cause. This is similar to how Soviet propaganda was used to explain the hardships people faced and to silence any opposition.
- Class Struggle and Exploitation: The book shines a light on how the working class, represented by Boxer the hardworking horse, is manipulated and eventually thrown aside when they’re no longer needed.
- The Betrayal of Ideals: The original ideas of Animalism, which promised equality and fairness, slowly got corrupted. This highlights how great revolutionary ideas often end up being twisted by those looking to benefit themselves.
- Language and Control: The ongoing changes to the Seven Commandments, leading up to the final rule—"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"—illustrate how language can be used as a tool to dominate and manipulate people.
Character Analysis
- Napoleon: Think of Napoleon as a stand-in for Joseph Stalin. He’s crafty, ruthless, and always hungry for power. He plays dirty, getting rid of anyone who stands in his way and using fear and propaganda to keep everyone in line.
- Snowball: Snowball is inspired by Leon Trotsky. He’s smart and has big ideas, but he ultimately gets outmaneuvered by Napoleon. His banishment mirrors Trotsky's exile from the Soviet Union.
- Squealer: As the main spokesperson, Squealer twists words to defend Napoleon’s choices and keep the other animals loyal, much like the propaganda machine in the Soviet Union.
- Boxer: Boxer represents the working class. He’s a dedicated and hardworking horse who truly believes in the revolution, but his sad ending—being sent off to the slaughterhouse when he’s no longer useful—shows how authoritarian regimes mistreat and betray their workers.
- Old Major: A blend of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, Old Major inspires the animals to rise up, but his ideas get twisted under Napoleon’s leadership.
- The Humans (Mr. Jones, Mr. Pilkington, Mr. Frederick): These characters stand for different political forces—Mr. Jones is like the old monarchy, while the neighboring farmers represent capitalist countries.
Writing Style and Narrative Technique
Impact and Relevance Today
Animal Farm, while written during the Russian Revolution, covers themes that go far beyond that time. The story acts as a warning about the risks of authoritarianism, corruption, and twisting the truth—issues that still matter in today’s politics. Readers today can see clear similarities between Napoleon's tactics and those used by different governments, businesses, and media outlets to shape how people think. Orwell’s sharp observations about how those in power manipulate language and history are especially relevant in our current world filled with misinformation and propaganda. Additionally, the book’s look at social hierarchies and exploitation applies to many political and economic situations. It highlights how even democratic societies need to stay alert against the buildup of power and the loss of individual rights.
Conclusion
Animal Farm is an incredible book that still grabs people's attention and teaches them about power dynamics. Through its powerful allegory, Orwell delivers a sharp critique of totalitarianism and how easily people can fall into corruption. It's impressive how the novel stays relevant in different political and social situations. If you're into political philosophy, history or just looking for something thought-provoking to read, Animal Farm is definitely worth it. The lessons it offers are a powerful reminder of the need for critical thinking and the risks that come with unchecked authority. Orwell’s message is pretty clear: revolutions might start with good intentions, but without accountability, they can quickly turn into the same oppression they tried to fight against.