"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an allegorical novella that uses a group of farm animals to reflect events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early Soviet Union. The story takes place on Manor Farm, which is owned by Mr. Jones, a negligent and often drunk farmer.
The plot begins when the animals, inspired by a boar named Old Major, develop a vision of a society where animals are free from human oppression. After Old Major's death, the animals, led by pigs Napoleon and Snowball, revolt against Mr. Jones, successfully taking over the farm and renaming it Animal Farm. They establish the Seven Commandments of Animalism, emphasizing principles like equality and freedom.
Initially, the farm thrives under the new regime, but tensions soon arise between Napoleon and Snowball. Napoleon uses force and propaganda, driven by a desire for power, to eventually drive Snowball away. He begins to consolidate power, making decisions without consulting the other animals and slowly altering the commandments to justify the pigs’ privileges.
As the pigs become increasingly authoritarian, they indulge in the same behaviors they initially opposed, such as drinking alcohol and living in the farmhouse. The original ideals of Animalism are gradually corrupted, and the pigs become indistinguishable from humans. The famous commandment, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," encapsulates this betrayal of the revolutionary ideals.
By the end of the story, the animals are disillusioned and realize that they have traded one form of tyranny for another. The final scene, where the pigs dine with human farmers, illustrates the complete betrayal of the revolution and the cyclical nature of oppression. The novella serves as a powerful critique of totalitarianism, corruption, and the failure of revolutionary movements.
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