- A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.
- When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.
- First published August 17, 1945 in London, England.
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Animal Farm by George Orwell
“Animal Farm” is a classic novella written by George Orwell and first published in 1945. The story is a satirical allegory that uses a group of farm animals to illustrate and critique the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early years of the Soviet Union. Orwell’s work serves as a powerful political commentary and a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of power.
The plot revolves around a group of animals on Manor Farm who overthrow their oppressive human owner, Mr. Jones, inspired by the dream of a utopian society where all animals are equal. They establish their own government and rename the farm “Animal Farm.” Initially, the animals work together to build a better future, but as time passes, a hierarchy emerges, and a group of pigs, led by the cunning and power-hungry Napoleon, takes control. The pigs gradually betray the principles of the revolution and establish a dictatorship that mirrors the oppressive regime they originally rebelled against.
“Animal Farm” is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of political manipulation, propaganda, and the erosion of idealism in the face of power. The novella’s famous line, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” highlights the hypocrisy and corruption that can arise in leadership. George Orwell’s work continues to be widely studied and discussed for its relevance to issues of government, authority, and the potential for the abuse of power in both historical and contemporary contexts. It remains a timeless and important piece of literature.
