Critiquing the Classics: Animal Farm

Summary: 

George Orwell’s cutting satirical piece tells the story of Manor Farm, a ranch in England, home to various farm animals. Drawing parallels to the Russian Revolution, Orwell creates characters meant to mirror the historical figures at the time. The story is inspired heavily by a quote by Karl Marx in his Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844, stating, “The worker in his human functions no longer feels himself to be human, but feels himself merely as an animal.” The characters on the farm were created to represent various historical figures of the Russian Revolution, and the storyline mirrors the mistreatment the working class faced. Due to such mistreatment, the animals overthrow the owner of the farm and establish their own form of government, in which “all animals are equal.” The animals work day and night to create the reality that they believe in, but as resources grow scarce and the temptation of power grows, the animals begin to grapple with the struggles of leadership.

Important Characters:

Mr. Jones: The original owner of Manor Farm and usurper of animal resources.

Major: An old white boar who encourages the animals to rebel against Mr. Jones for a better future, painting a picture of what an animal-ruled life would look like by establishing the seven principles of Animalism. He is meant to represent Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin.

Napoleon: A pig living on the farm, whose influence grows as the story progresses. He supports violent means of taking power. He is meant to represent Joseph Stalin.

Snowball: A kind pig, with a vision for the future of Manor Farm involving all animals. He hopes to reduce the hard labor they all endure. He is meant to represent Leon Trotsky.

Squealer: A persuasive and charismatic pig who is able to influence the narrative of leadership and decision-making on the farm.

Boxer: An incredibly dedicated horse, whose physical strength and determination are essential to the farm.

Clover: A motherly horse who takes care of many of the farm animals. She is loving and kind to all animals.

Review: 

Rereading George Orwell’s Animal Farm, I realized it is far more than a story about animals; it is a powerful political satire that makes you consider how easily idealism can be corrupted. Orwell’s simple language makes his work digestible on a surface level, but the ideas beneath are quite difficult to process. 

The story itself was inspired by the Russian Revolution. When the animals of Manor Farm overthrow their human owner, they dream of an equal society. Although they begin with this goal, things quickly go wrong, as power leads the pigs to corruption. Orwell intended the story to imitate leaders like Joseph Stalin, who rose to power after the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II. These leaders promised equality, but became oppressive rulers themselves. 

As the story continues, it becomes clear that the animals’ fight for their freedom ultimately turns into another similar system of oppression. 

The pigs, who at first seem like natural leaders, slowly begin to take advantage of their roles. They twist the principles of Animalism to benefit themselves, convincing the other animals that every decision they make is for the good of all. 

Throughout the novel, Orwell shows how easily ideals can be manipulated. The original commandments, such as “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy” and “All animals are equal,” are altered to justify the pigs’ behaviors. This all culminates in the disturbing line: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” In the end, the pigs become indistinguishable from the humans they once overthrew.