Animal Farm by George Orwell

Author: George Orwell

Year: 1945

Genre: Satire, Allegory

Pages: 135

All animals are equal, but some Animals are more equal than other.

Have you ever come across situation when you read a book because of just want to but later realises that its on your syllabus? Well i have, more than once. I Animal Farm few months ago and later I realised that book is there for us to study this Semester. Only when I read it for the second time I get to know the significance of the book. 

Animal Farm is an allegorical novella, where the the characters of story and the story it self gives a broader message about the real world. The characters of the novella are animals so it is a fable as well. The plot of the life of a group of Animals living in a farm called Manor Farm owned by an Man who is a drunkard. He doesn't care about the Animals of the farm and so all these animals come together, drives him off and take over the farm and rename it Animal farm. They also establish the concept of Animalsim which is essentially a belief that every animals are equal. After capturing the farm they divides the jobs in the farm among the animals and Pigs became the rule makers calling themselves the intelligent of all. 

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely

As the story proceeds the pigs became a higher strata from the rest and their leader became the tyrant of the farm, they twist the laws of Animalism according to their conveniences, suppressed all the voice of protest through the use of power. The life of other animals became worse, they are made to believe that they are suffering for a better tomorrow. 

The whole book is actually a satire on Russian revolution, The main character Napoleon represents the Joseph Stalin, Snowball represents Leon Trotsky and so on. The farm itself becomes the symbol of Russia  and Animalism stands for Communism. All together through this story Orwell explains the story of Russian revolution and social and political scenario of that period through the lives of animals of this farm.

I really appreciate the fact that the author made the book very compact and to the point. It is this writers absolute talent which enabled him to truthfully inculcate the history of Russian revolution into such a small book. And the fact that this book was banned during the initial days of release made me want to study about the book even more. If you haven't read this novella yet read, go for it. If you already read it but didn't like it, pI suggest to re-read it because you may have missed out many things. its an absolute gem because the message that this book gives is relevant even today.

Animal Farm Characters 

Character	Description
Old Major	Elderly boar who inspires the animals to rebel
Napoleon	Pig who emerges as the leader and becomes tyrannical
Snowball	Pig who initially shares power with Napoleon
Squealer	Pig who serves as Napoleon's propaganda mouthpiece
Boxer	Dedicated and strong horse who believes in the revolution
Clover	Motherly mare who cares deeply for the other animals
Benjamin	Cynical donkey who is skeptical of the revolution
Mollie	Vain and materialistic horse who leaves the farm
Mr. Jones	Negligent farmer who is overthrown by the animals
Mr. Frederick	Neighbor farmer who represents external threats
Mr. Pilkington	Neighbor farmer who represents external threats

Napoleon

Napoleon, a Berkshire boar in George Orwell's "Animal Farm," epitomizes the dangers of unchecked power and the corruption it breeds. Initially portrayed as a quiet and intelligent pig with a depth of understanding, Napoleon quickly rises to dominance following the animals' rebellion against their human oppressor, Mr. Jones. With a cunning intellect and manipulative tactics, Napoleon usurps control, employing fear, propaganda, and coercion to enforce his authority. As the story progresses, his character transforms into a ruthless dictator, willing to sacrifice the ideals of the revolution for his own selfish gain. Napoleon's authoritarian rule and betrayal of the farm's founding principles serve as a chilling reminder of the potential for tyranny within any system of governance. Through Napoleon, Orwell offers a stark warning about the seductive allure of power and its corrosive effect on moral integrity.

Snowball

Snowball is a pivotal character in George Orwell's "Animal Farm," representing intellect, idealism, and revolutionary fervor. Initially, Snowball emerges as a co-leader alongside Napoleon, advocating for the principles of Animalism and leading the animals in the rebellion against human oppression. He is portrayed as an eloquent and persuasive speaker, able to inspire the other animals with his vision of a utopian society where all animals are equal. Snowball is depicted as an innovator, proposing ideas such as the windmill to improve the farm's efficiency and reduce the animals' labor. However, despite his good intentions, Snowball becomes a target of Napoleon's manipulation and propaganda. Ultimately, he is driven off the farm and vilified as a traitor, symbolizing the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the perversion of power. Snowball's character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ideological division and the manipulation of truth for political gain.

Boxer

Boxer, the loyal and hardworking cart-horse in George Orwell's "Animal Farm," epitomizes unwavering dedication and selflessness. With his motto, "I will work harder," Boxer embodies the spirit of perseverance and dedication to the cause of the farm's revolution. His immense strength and tireless work ethic make him indispensable to the farm's success, as he tirelessly works to build a better future for all animals. Despite his limited intelligence, Boxer's unwavering loyalty to the ideals of Animalism and his commitment to serving the community make him a beloved figure among the other animals. However, Boxer's blind faith in the leadership, particularly in Napoleon, ultimately leads to his tragic demise, as he is betrayed and exploited for his labor without mercy. Nevertheless, Boxer's memory lives on as a symbol of the proletariat's sacrifice and the exploitation of the working class by those in power.