Animal Farm is regarded as one of the historical classics. This novella was certainly yet another feather to George Orwell's cap. It was no major secret to hide that 'Animalism' and the animals overthrowing their humans were just allegorical representations of communism and the Bolshevik Revolution respectively.
This novella revolves around a farm called 'Manor Farm' with many farm animals—mostly domestic—who are treated with cruelty and harshness. You feel sorry for them as they share their woes however, right in the beginning, an old wise pig plants seeds of inspiration and revolution in their minds. The pig is an anthropomorphised Karl Marx who profoundly describes the benefits of Animalism but doesn't exactly say how it should be run.
There soon comes a day when the animals take control and all seems to go well: yield was better than ever, the animals had good food and everyone was treated equally. They even patriotically chant an anthem and hoist flags. But soon, the power they have makes some really greedy and there is more inequality than equality; the idea of class gets established and the pigs—the brightest but also most corrupt ones—brainwash the rest of the animals with terror.
You will find the transition from peace and order to a frightened society almost too obvious, because we have the benefit of hindsight... but this was not the case for the animals, who were constantly silenced with the argument that life was better now than when the humans controlled them. They were too convinced that life was indeed better than before.
Final thoughts
This was a very quick read and I had not expected the narrative to be fast-paced. Orwell had accurately depicted how power inspires and corrupts people. (Or in this case, animals.) Abstract ideas such as class, power and innate human instincts are painted incredibly well. I must also say that these themes are relevant even today and can be observed in most political systems across the world. Propaganda, tyranny and betrayals still exist everywhere, don't they?
Do read this if you want a different perspective on communism and its wrong execution.
Rating: ★★★★★
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