Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a fairy story capturing the themes of oppression & rebellion.It is an anti communist allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals.The animals dream of create a paradise of progress, justice & equality.However, even after achieving this dream, an elite class arises among them. In the rise & fall of the animals, we can recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most ideal organizations.

The animals of Manor Farm rise in rebellion against Mr. Jones, the farmer.The animals succeed in the endeavor.They print the Seven Commandments of Animalism on the barn wall. Initially, the rebellion is a success, however a power hungry leader - Napolean starts stealing the cow's milk & apples for himself. This is the beginning of elitism among the animals.As the story progresses, the rise of Napolean's dictatorship becomes evident.His lust for power grows to the extent that he starts forcing out confessions from innocent animals & gets them killed infront of everyone, thus imbibing his fear in all.Slowly, the pigs starts breaking the seven commandments & changing the language.For example,”No animal shall drink” is changed to “No animal shall drink in excess”.Finally, the seven commandments are reduced to one single law -“ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS”.At the end, the pigs start walking on two legs and sit drinking with humans.As the other animals look inside through the window, they cannot distinguish the pigs from humans.”THE CREATURES OUTSIDE LOOKED FROM PIG TO MAN, AND FROM MAN TO PIG, AND FROM PIG TO MAN AGAIN; BUT ALREADY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHICH WAS WHICH”.

Some people think that the book symbolises Russia & Soviet Union under the communist rule & animals in the book depict important political figures.This was also the reason the book was banned initially, as Britain was then ally of Stalin.However, I think this book not only depicts the Russian revolution, but all the revolutions that happened throughout history.

For me the book highlights the demons within - greed, jealousy, hunger for power, cruelty.The book is moving, bitter & a warning.It is a book that can be read by anyone & everyone.