George Orwell’s allegory reveals how leaders manipulate truth and corrupt ideals, offering vital insights into political tyranny and propaganda that remain relevant today
Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella written by George Orwell in 1945. The story depicts the animals’ rebellion against their owner, as they strive to live freely and contentedly but ultimately succumb to blatant corruption and utter slavery under their own leadership. The 105-page book is divided into ten chapters, set in the English countryside. Notably, the author also critiqued the English press’s pro-Russian stance in a preface titled “The Freedom of the Press”. While subsequent chapters describe the events on the farm where naive animals are exploited by their leader and his cohorts, Chapter 2 portrays the pivotal revolution.
Starting immediately after their owner, Mr Jones, goes to sleep, the book begins with a covert gathering of the animals of Manor Farm (later renamed Animal Farm after the insurrection, and then replaced with an old one when Napoleon has complete power over others). All the animals are informed during the day that Major, an elderly boar, had an odd dream the night before and wishes to share it with others. The gathering is open to all animals. Major explains the reason for the meeting and begins his impassioned speech after confirming that everyone has arrived.
Major states in his speech that since he won’t be around much longer, he’ll share the wisdom and expertise he has gathered over the years with other creatures. He challenges them to recognise that their miserable lives are solely due to human tyranny, holding humans responsible for their wretched fate. To live comfortably, animals must throw off human servitude, and Major exhorts them to rebel against their master, Jones. As the assembly concludes, Major sings the poem “The Beast of England”.
Later, Major passes away, and soon after, a rebellion breaks out. Led by two boars, Napoleon and Snowball, the animals successfully overthrow their master, Mr Jones. They begin to live freely, guided by the ‘Seven Commandments’, including “All animals are equal” and “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy”. Initially, they thrive under Napoleon’s and Snowball’s leadership, but a dispute arises between the two. Napoleon uses cunning to eliminate Snowball and establishes himself as a powerful dictator.
Through metaphor, the author exposes the guile of dishonest politicians or leaders. Even today, many self-proclaimed leaders still act similarly: Napoleon brands Snowball a traitor, attributing his failures and misfortunes to him after eliminating him. Such leaders, like Napoleon, deceive the masses through propaganda and fabricated justifications, defending their privileges while explaining away their shortcomings.
The book is still relevant today, despite the political climate at the time it was published. In contemporary states, the book’s fascinating characters are still present. For example, nearly every country has propaganda ministers like Squealer, who are skilled at using their political discourse to garner public sympathy and defend the crafty actions of their leaders. They have become indispensable to governments. There are several occasions in the novel where Squealer quells dissension. For instance, when the animals, led by Benjamin —a donkey, who is depicted as the most solemn and serious of all the animals—realise that their most devoted friend, Boxer, a horse, is being sent to a slaughterhouse under the false pretence of treatment, they are on the brink of rebellion. However, Squealer intervenes once again, convincing them that the hospital hadn’t had time to repaint the wagon after purchasing it from a butcher. In another notable instance, Squealer secretly alters the seven commandments at night, changing the fundamental principle “All animals are equal” to “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”
The novel, which takes the shape of an allegory, provides an intriguing explanation of how an aristocracy forms, restricting the freedom of the masses and manipulating the laws to suit its interests. It also explores how a group of people becomes corrupt when given unbridled power. For example, it’s initially proclaimed that no animal should drink alcohol, but the pigs covertly modify this rule by adding “to excess” after they taste it and become addicted. Furthermore, the novel demonstrates that having a long-term plan is necessary to control people, as illustrated by Napoleon’s strategic preparation of a pack of hounds for his army.
In conclusion, this book will undoubtedly captivate anyone curious about the deceitful tactics of dishonest leaders. Such readers will be enthralled until the very end, especially if they’re already fans of the genre. Moreover, students will gain valuable insight into recognising he disparity between corrupt leaders’ words and actions, enabling them to see through manipulative rhetoric.
Eyram Hamid Khan
ey**********@***il.com