Animal Farm

About this book

Animal Farm (1945) is George Orwell's famous political allegory about revolution, power, and corruption. Set on an English farm, the story begins when the animals, inspired by the visionary pig Old Major, rebel against their human owner, Mr. Jones, seeking to create an equal and free society. After the rebellion, the pigs—led by Napoleon and Snowball—take charge, establishing the principles of Animalism based on equality and shared labor. At first, the revolution seems successful: the animals work for themselves and achieve small victories. However, power soon corrupts. Napoleon drives out Snowball and gradually becomes a tyrant, using propaganda, fear, and violence to control the others. The pigs begin to resemble the humans they replaced—walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and exploiting the workers. By the end, the original ideals of equality are betrayed. The farm's motto changes from "All animals are equal" to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Through its fable, Animal Farm exposes the dangers of totalitarianism and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals, serving as a powerful critique of Soviet communism and political hypocrisy.