Animal Farm by George Orwell [Summary]

“Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a thought-provoking book that explores power, corruption and the human condition. Through the lens of a farmyard setting, Orwell masterfully weaves a tale that resonates with readers of all ages. This timeless classic reveals deep insights and has an enduring relevance even especially today.

1. Napoleon’s Rise to Power and Corruption

The story starts on Manor Farm, where the animals, led by the wise pig Old Major, rebel against their human owner, Mr. Jones. Old Major shares a vision of a utopian society where animals live free from human oppression. He expressed, “I witnessed Manor Farm being taken over by us, by the animals. And we drove out, Mr. Jones, and we established our own animal paradise”. This initial uprising symbolizes the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsarist regime. However, Napoleon, a pig, emerges as the primary leader and manipulates the other animals to serve his own interests. This reflects how Joseph Stalin came to power and distorted the ideals of the Russian Revolution.

• The animals, led by the wise pig Old Major, revolt against their owner, Mr. Jones, and create their own society. This initial uprising symbolizes the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsarist regime.
• Napoleon the pig becomes the main leader with the help of his loyal dogs, and he manipulates the other animals for his own benefit. This mirrors how Joseph Stalin rose to power and twisted the principles of the Russian Revolution.

2. The Manipulation of Commandments and Capitalism

The pigs, especially Napoleon, change the commandments of Animalism to suit their needs and control the other animals. This manipulation shows how ideology can be used to benefit oneself. Napoleon worked with humans and introduced capitalism on Animal Farm, which resulted in the animals being exploited and the pigs living luxuriously while the other animals suffered. This mirrors the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the emergence of a corrupt ruling class.

• The pigs, especially Napoleon, slowly change the original commandments of Animalism to make their actions seem right and keep control over the other animals. This manipulation reflects the abuse of ideology for personal gain and the erosion of moral principles in pursuit of power.
• Napoleon’s alliance with humans and the introduction of capitalism on Animal Farm resulted in the animals being exploited and the pigs enjoying a lavish lifestyle while neglecting the other animals. It reflects the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the rise of a corrupt ruling class.

3. Boxer’s tragic fate and the deception of the animals.

Boxer, the loyal and hard-working horse, represents the dedicated proletariat. He has a tragic end when he is sold to a glue factory, despite being promised medical care. This shows how the working class is exploited and betrayed by those in power. The animals realize that the pigs have become just like the humans. It shows how power can be deceptive and how the revolution’s original ideals are lost.

• Boxer, the loyal and hard-working horse, represents the dedicated proletariat. His sad ending, being sold to a glue factory despite promises of medical care, shows how the working class is exploited and betrayed by those in power.
• The animals noticed that the pigs now look and act just like the humans. This shows how power can be deceptive and how the revolution’s original goals have been lost.

4. Propaganda and Totalitarianism

Squealer is a persuasive and manipulative pig who speaks for Napoleon’s regime, using propaganda to control the narrative and suppress dissent. The sheep chanting “Two legs bad, four legs good” and the animals blindly following Napoleon show how propaganda can affect critical thinking in a totalitarian state.

• Squealer, the clever and manipulative pig, speaks for Napoleon’s government. His use of propaganda enables him to manipulate the narrative and suppress dissent. This reflects the tactics employed by totalitarian regimes to maintain authority and suppress opposition.
• The sheep mindlessly repeating “Two legs bad, four legs good” shows how propaganda can affect critical thinking in a totalitarian state.

5. The idea of Animalism and the betrayal of its ideals.

Old Major’s vision of a perfect society, expressed in the song “Beast of England,” represents the desire for a fair and just world without human oppression. However, this vision is ultimately corrupted by the pigs’ thirst for power and privilege.The pigs’ creation of animalism and their own commandments show how they manipulate beliefs to benefit themselves, which disappoints the other animals.

• Old Major’s vision, expressed in the song “Beast of England,” symbolizes the hope for a fair and just world without human oppression. However, this vision is ultimately corrupted by the pigs’ thirst for power and privilege.
• The pigs created animalism and commandments to benefit themselves, which made the other animals lose their faith.

The ending of “Animal Farm” encapsulates the culmination of the pigs’ manipulation and the disillusionment of the other animals. As the animals peer into the farmhouse, they witness the pigs, once their comrades, now indistinguishable from the humans. The pigs, including Napoleon, have adopted human mannerisms and are engaged in capitalist enterprises with humans. This stark transformation reflects the betrayal of the revolution’s ideals and the pigs’ consolidation of power. Napoleon’s proclamation to change the farm’s name to Manor Farm and the alteration of the commandments to “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” show the pigs’ tyranny and the distortion of the original idea of equality and cooperation.

The animals realizing that the pigs have become the oppressors they rebelled against shows how power corrupts and revolutionary ideals fade away. The vision of a cooperative state free from oppression has been turned into a system where the ruling class exploits and manipulates the other animals for their own gain. The conclusion of “Animal Farm” highlights the important message of the book: the dangers of having too much power, manipulating beliefs, and the prevalence of authoritarianism.

The novella’s conclusion serves as a symbolic representation of human nature and the dangers of totalitarianism. It provokes readers to think deeply about the repetitive cycle of power and the ongoing importance of Orwell’s warning.

Konklusjon

“Animal Farm” warns about the dangers of unchecked power, the manipulation of ideology, and the erosion of moral values. Through its allegorical narrative, the novella offers timeless insights into the complexities of human nature and the perils of authoritarianism.

Questions

1. What parallels do you see between the events in “Animal Farm” and real-world historical or contemporary political situations?
2. How does the character of Boxer’s fate reflect the exploitation of the working class in society?
3. How does the manipulation of commandments and the use of propaganda in “Animal Farm” relate to real-life political deception?
4. What lessons can individuals and societies learn from the themes and events depicted in “Animal Farm”?
5. Have you ever witnessed or experienced instances where revolutionary ideals were betrayed or power was abused?