Animal Farm by George Orwell

Hello, I am Himanshi Parmar. This blog I have written as a part of teaching. The blog was written to provide study materials to my students. In this blog, i am going to discuss about a novella 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. The blog includes following points Summary, About the Author, Themes, Symbols, 'Animal Farm' as a political Satire/Allegory etc.

About George Orwell

George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair in 1903, was a British writer known for his penetrating and often dystopian social and political commentary. With a keen eye for the complexities of power and language, Orwell's works, including "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four," have become timeless classics that explore themes such as totalitarianism, oppression, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. Orwell's own experiences, including his time as a colonial police officer in Burma and his involvement in the Spanish Civil War, profoundly influenced his writing, leading him to become a staunch advocate for democratic socialism and an outspoken critic of totalitarian regimes. His legacy as a writer is marked by his commitment to truth-telling, social justice, and the defense of individual freedoms, making him one of the most influential figures in 20th-century literature.

Summary

The story begins on Manor Farm, where Old Major, an aging boar, delivers a speech to the other animals, inspiring them to rebel against their human oppressors. He teaches them the song "Beasts of England," which becomes their anthem.

After Old Major's death, the animals, led by the pigs Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer, stage a successful revolution against Mr. Jones, the farmer. They rename the farm Animal Farm and establish a new system based on equality and cooperation among animals.

As time passes, Napoleon seizes power, ousting Snowball and establishing a dictatorship with the help of the dogs he trained. He gradually becomes corrupt, forming alliances with humans and adopting their vices.

Squealer, Napoleon's propagandist, distorts facts and uses persuasive tactics to justify Napoleon's actions and maintain control over the other animals. The principles of Animalism, such as "All animals are equal," are twisted to suit Napoleon's desires.

The Seven Commandments, which outline Animal Farm's principles, are repeatedly revised to justify the pigs' increasing privileges. The animals, especially Boxer the horse and Benjamin the donkey, remain loyal but start to question the changes.

The pigs start walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and behaving like humans, symbolizing their transformation into the oppressive class they originally rebelled against. The other animals realize the extent of their betrayal but feel powerless to stop it.

Napoleon's regime becomes increasingly tyrannical, using fear and violence to maintain control. The farm's original ideals are completely abandoned, and the animals live in fear and oppression.

The pigs collude with humans and engage in trade, breaking the once-sacred principle of not engaging with humans. They also face external threats, such as neighboring farmers who view Animal Farm as a threat to their own power.

The novella ends tragically as the pigs become indistinguishable from humans, and the once-revolutionary farm now mirrors the oppressive society it sought to replace. The animals' hopes for a better life are shattered, leaving them disillusioned and defeated.

"Animal Farm" serves as a powerful critique of totalitarianism, political corruption, and the manipulation of language and ideology for control and power. Through its vivid portrayal of animal characters and their struggle for freedom, Orwell delivers a timeless warning about the dangers of unchecked authority and the perversion of revolutionary ideals.

Here is the film adaptation of the novella.

Animated Film based on 'Animal Farm' by Orwell.

Themes

1 - Totalitarianism:

Totalitarianism means when one person or a group has complete control and makes all the rules. In "Animal Farm," the pigs take over the farm and become the ruling class, just like the humans they overthrew. They control everything and make decisions without considering what's best for everyone. For example, Napoleon, one of the pigs, makes all the decisions and even changes the rules to benefit himself, showing how power corrupts.

2 - Corruption of Power:

This theme shows how having a lot of power can sometimes make people or animals selfish and cruel. In the book, the pigs start off wanting equality for all the animals, but as they gain more power, they become greedy and start treating the other animals unfairly. For instance, the pigs start living in the farmhouse and enjoying special privileges while the other animals work harder and suffer.

3 - Class Struggle:

Class struggle is about the conflict between different groups in society, like rich and poor or powerful and powerless. In "Animal Farm," the animals rebel against the humans because they're tired of being mistreated and want equality. However, the pigs end up becoming the new ruling class and treat the other animals just like the humans did before. This shows how revolutions can sometimes fail to bring about real change for everyone.

4 - Propaganda and Manipulation:

Propaganda and manipulation happen when someone spreads lies or twists the truth to control others. In the novel, the pigs use propaganda to control the other animals and keep them in line. For example, they change the commandments to make themselves look better and use fear tactics to silence any dissent among the animals. This shows how those in power can use deception to maintain their control.

5 - Loss of Identity and Individuality:

This theme is about how individuals can lose their sense of self and become like mindless followers when they're oppressed. In "Animal Farm," the animals lose their individuality as the pigs become more authoritarian. They stop thinking for themselves and just follow orders without questioning. For example, Boxer, the hardworking horse, keeps saying "I will work harder" without realizing that he's being exploited by the pigs.

6 - The Nature of Revolution:

Revolution means big changes in society, but sometimes these changes can make things worse instead of better. In the book, the animals revolt against the humans to achieve freedom and equality. However, their revolution is hijacked by the pigs, who end up becoming tyrants themselves. This shows how revolutions can be corrupted by those seeking power, leading to disappointment and betrayal.

7 - Societal Injustice and Hypocrisy:

This theme is about the unfairness and double standards in society, where leaders say one thing but do another. In "Animal Farm," the pigs claim to believe in equality and fairness for all animals, but they end up living in luxury while the other animals suffer. This hypocrisy exposes the gap between their words and actions, showing how those in power often prioritize their own interests over the well-being of others.

By exploring these themes, "Animal Farm" sheds light on the dangers of unchecked power, the complexities of social change, and the importance of remaining vigilant against oppression and injustice.

Symbols

1 - The Farm:

This is like the whole place where the story happens. It's not just any farm; it's where the animals live and work together. The farm represents a society or a country going through big changes, like a revolution.

2 - The Animals:

Each animal represents different types of people or ideas. The pigs are like the smart leaders who take charge, especially Napoleon and Snowball. Boxer the horse is like the hardworking people who believe in the cause and do a lot of the heavy lifting. The sheep are like followers who just do what they're told without thinking much. The dogs are like the tough enforcers who keep everyone in line, kind of like the police.

3 - Old Major's Skull:

 After Old Major, the wise old pig, dies, his skull is kept around as a reminder of his big ideas about freedom and fairness. It's supposed to remind everyone about the original goals of the revolution. But later, the pigs don't really follow those ideas.

4 - The Windmill:

The windmill is like a big project meant to make life better for everyone on the farm. Snowball comes up with the idea to build it,thinking it will give them more food and make things easier. But later, the pigs use it to show how they're in charge and make the other animals work hard on it for their own benefit.

5 - The Seven Commandments:

These are like rules painted on the wall to guide everyone's behavior. They're supposed to be fair and equal for all the animals. But as time goes on, the pigs change the rules to suit themselves and do things that go against the original commandments.

6 - The Farmhouse:

At first, the farmhouse is off-limits to the animals, kind of like a symbol of luxury and privilege. But later, the pigs move in and start living there, even though they said they wouldn't. It shows how they break their promises and become just like the humans they kicked out.

7 - The Battle of the Windmill:

This is like a big fight that happens over the windmill. It shows how much the animals are willing to sacrifice for their cause. Even though they work hard to build it and defend it, it gets destroyed in the end, showing how their efforts don't always pay off.

These symbols help tell the story in "Animal Farm" and show bigger ideas about power, fairness, and the struggle for freedom in a way that's easier to understand.

‘Animal Farm’ as a political Satire/Allegory

1 - Allegorical Representation:

In "Animal Farm," the animals and events represent real things in the world. For instance:

- The pigs represent leaders in the Soviet Union, like Stalin and Trotsky. Napoleon, the main pig, stands for Stalin, while Snowball represents Trotsky.

- The farm's transformation from human control to animal control mirrors the Russian Revolution, where the people rebelled against their rulers and established a new government.

2 - Exposing Hypocrisy and Corruption:

Orwell uses satire, a kind of humour, to show how leaders sometimes don't do what they say. Examples include. The pigs, who start off promising equality for all animals, end up living in luxury while the other animals work hard and suffer. The pigs change the rules whenever it suits them. For instance, they say all animals are equal, but then they start living in the farmhouse and eating better food than the others.

3 - Ridiculing Totalitarianism:

Totalitarianism means one person or group has total control. Orwell makes fun of this idea in the book, showing the pigs taking over the farm and controlling everything. They make all the decisions and use fear and lies to stay in power. The animals have no say in how things are run, and those who speak out against the pigs are punished, just like in a real totalitarian regime.

4 - Highlighting Social Injustice:

Orwell uses satire to show how unfairness and inequality happen in society. Examples include.The pigs enjoy privileges like better food and living conditions, while the other animals struggle to survive. The animals are promised equality, but in reality, some end up with more power and status than others, just like in real-life societies.

5 - Warning Against Ideological Manipulation:

This means showing how ideas can be used to control people. Orwell demonstrates this through, The pigs use the idea of Animalism (similar to communism) to justify their actions and maintain control over the other animals. They change the commandments, rewriting history to suit their needs and manipulate the other animals' beliefs.

Through these examples, "Animal Farm" uses humour and exaggeration to criticise political systems and leaders, while also warning against the dangers of power and manipulation.

I hope this blog will be helpful to you. Happy Learning!