December 2019 Classic of the Month: 'Animal Farm'

Why George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is about more than pigs on a farm.

'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, 141 pages - Instagram @c_reads_books

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The classic of the month for December 2019 is Animal Farm by George Orwell. Although I have only read this book once and only read it for the first time a year ago, Animal Farm has stolen a place in my heart.

This book is chock full of symbolism despite its short length. Animal Farm as a whole is a symbol for human society. At the beginning of the story, after the animals overthrow their human farmer, Mr. Jones, and turn Manor Farm into Animal Farm, the animals create their own government to run their newly formed society.

The animals begin their new lives in harmony and democracy, all working together towards the benefit of them all. They all decide to build a windmill to create energy, with Napoleon and Snowball beginning to be seen as leaders.

The once harmonious democracy of the animals of Animal Farm quickly begins to fall though, as Napoleon manipulates the other animals and scares Snowball away. It becomes increasingly dictatorial as Napoleon starts to fill Mr. Jones’ place as a tyrant and ruler of the other animals.

This novella was written to portray the Russian (or Bolshevik) Revolution of 1917, yet it is still applicable as a symbol today for human society in general.

The Russian Revolution resulted in a government even more oppressive and totalitarian than the one it sought to overthrow. Animal Farm parallels many of the characters and events of the revolution, with Manor Farm representing Russia, and old Major, Snowball, and Napoleon depicting the dominant figures in the Russian Revolution.

All of Orwell’s works are largely political, be it focused on communism, democracy, capitalism, totalitarianism, trotskyism, etc. Orwell never fails to make a statement about humanity in his books, with Animal Farm being no exception.

Animal Farm takes a look at how government is formed and how quickly it can fall into shambles. Manipulation and lies are all too prevalent in politics and government, and Animal Farm leaves its readers wondering whether there is or ever will be a way for people to live together in democracy and harmony without it going sour and turning into totalitarianism and dictatorship.

“All animals are equal,” quickly turns into, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” leaving the animals of Animal Farm confused and distraught.

Animal Farm’s ending is one that truly leaves readers chilled, with the animals of Animal Farm realizing the manipulation and destruction that Napoleon has caused, seeing him and the other pigs talking to human farmers, and not being able to differentiate between them.

Animal Farm is one of my favorite books of Orwell’s, as well as one of my favorite books in general. It is an infinitely chilling and gripping novella that is a warning for the future of mankind, a book that you will not be able to put down!