I actually read this book for english class a few months ago and forgot to post it. I really like it though, and I definetely reccomend it for any book report. Discussing the Russian revolution in the form of animals, it showed how power slowly corrupts those who possess it. The animals of Mr. Jones's farm decide to hold a revolution in which they assume all power of the farm. Once they run off the farmer, the pigs assume a leadership position. The pigs in general represented the Bolsheviks, but Napoleon represented Joseph Stalin. Snowball represented Leon Trotsky and Boxer the hard working horse epitimized the working class. In the end, the animals couldn't tell the difference between the pigs and the other farmers.
Review/Description
When you open up to the first page, you read about a farmer who owns a farm, animals, and has hired helpers to work on the farm. Typical farm, right? Wrong. There is something majorly different about this one compared to others you may visit. The animals here can talk, and even more, they are plotting to take over the farm. Throughout the story, read about the many difficulties that result from this action on their part. Read of the changes that happen because of this shift of power. When George Orwell wrote this book, many people were willing to accept the Communist ideals held by the Soviet Union. The Soviets had earned a lot of friends after they helped give the Allies an edge against the Nazis. However, others like George Orwell saw that a totalitarian government had actually risen behind the scenes. That is why he wrote Animal Farm, to show people the real situation and threat behind the Soviet government. In the story, Orwell emphasized the factor of too much power. As you read the book, watch to see what happens to those who are given the power of leadership. Watch to see the way they use and misuse it. Orwell also uses many symbols that relate to the real world situations. He used many of the animals to represent things like the workers in Russia, the religion, propaganda, and the influences of power. In the story, the animals build a windmill as a symbol of their ability to accomplish things on their own. This was Orwell's representation of the Communist ideals that were initially made to benefit the Russian people. This book is very valuable in its ability to show the consequences that come from abusing power. Orwell makes it very clear where his standing is on the issue of absolute power and influence. As you read Animal Farm, look for the instances where he shows how propaganda can influence people to do things only from the viewpoint of the person that it solely benefits. Why not try to look for ways that show the similarities between the story and the Russian Revolution? If you do, you could get a better understanding of the way Animal Farm plays out. Will the animals and their ideals hold true? Or will the humans take back the farm? Will the conditions get better on the farm after the animals take over?
