Animal Farm
“Dictatorship isn’t established to protect revolution, but revolution is started to establish dictatorship” – George Orwell
I think during my life I’ve read Orwell’s work “Animal Farm” surely two times (and maybe more). Once during studies. Second time somewhere at beginning of my work career.
And now something made me, after I don’t even know how many years, read it again.
My God, how much I laughed while reading it…
And then I took TV remote and turned on channels where these various politicians, businessmen, singers and others spin, and listened to them for some time, then I’d flip through book parts… and again I laughed a lot…
And then I turned on “Facebook” and glanced at people’s comments under some news article, and meanwhile compared with book. And again I couldn’t help but laugh.
In fact, if you start reading work “Animal Farm” as adult (and potentially mature and reasonable) person, who’s moreover well-read and prefers thinking with own head, it won’t be surprise if this book brings you to tears… except you’re not sure if they’re from laughter or suffering…
George Orwell wrote “Animal Farm” in 1945. He clearly saw what Spanish Civil War, Nazism, Fascism and Stalinism did to humanity. “Animal Farm,” written in form of, let’s say, larger fable, is satirical allegorical novella that’s critique of society… or better said, (corrupted) people who come to power. This work is warning how propaganda in direct, and often indirect (and perfidious) way, can manipulate masses for interests of corrupt individuals.
So…
On one large estate farm in England, lived irresponsible farmer (and heavy drunkard) Jones. In his negligence he knew to behave not exactly correctly toward his animals.
One evening, all animals from farm gathered in big barn, because old boar (whom they called Major) had strange dream, and moreover wanted to convey something to fellow animals.
That evening, he called animals to unite against man’s injustice and create society where all animals are free and equal. He knew he wouldn’t live much longer, but wanted to leave to his friends as legacy fighting, rebellious spirit against unjust regime, as well as anthem “Beasts of England.” Soon after Major’s death (pardon me, he kicked bucket), two pigs (boars?), Snowball and Napoleon, decide to start rebellion and slowly prepare plan all farm animals join.
And after brief battle, animals managed to drive Jones from farm and now “Manor Farm” became “Animal Farm.”
Regular animal meetings were established, what all needs to be done on farm (because they needed to continue farming to secure food), man was declared persona non grata, farm had its flag (white hoof and horn on green surface), animalistic teaching was established, i.e., philosophy (not to confuse with this movement; in book animalism is parody of communism), as well as seven commandments valid for all animals:
- Whatever goes on two legs is enemy
- Whatever goes on four legs, or has wings, is friend
- No animal shall wear clothes
- No animal shall sleep in bed
- No animal shall drink alcohol
- No animal shall kill any other animal
- All animals are equal
Soon there was attack on farm by Jones and his friends. After hard battle, animals won. That day was marked as victory day, some animals (including Snowball) received medals for bravery.
It was time for animals to continue further with farm life.
By the way, somehow it happened that pigs, being most intelligent (learned all letters, as well as to read and interpret people’s books), took upon themselves function of leadership and management and dealt mostly with mental work, while other animals were more oriented toward physical work. However, animals accepted this, because unlike pigs, they didn’t manage to learn all letters and weren’t intelligent enough to deal with mental matters (nor even remember all seven commandments).
Along with Snowball and Napoleon young pig Squealer started standing out, who conveyed news and interpretations from Snowball and Napoleon to other farm animals.
Windmill construction was also planned on farm, for modernization purposes which Snowball advocated and who promised wonders on farm if they build it (why does this sound familiar to me), which Napoleon didn’t agree with.
Unexpectedly soon big coup happened and Napoleon, with help of young dogs (which he took under his wing when they were puppies, under excuse he was teaching them path of animalism) drove Snowball from farm, revealing there’ll be no more weekly meetings of all animals, but committee of pigs will be formed which he’ll personally preside over and issue work tasks on farm, for efficiency and well-being purposes, which animals (with dogs barking at them) somehow accepted as logical sequence… of, well, whatever that was…
And how farm further developed, you’ll find out if you read this George Orwell classic.
Book’s essence lies in second part, as well as perhaps most famous sentence:
All animals are equal.
But some animals are more equal than others.
Though it seems farm is progressing (like some “economic tiger”), animals notice they work harder than ever, as well as somehow have less and less food. And as harder times come, pigs somehow become fatter and fatter and behave more and more like man. Squealer constantly conveys some (dis)information to animals, which seem not to match what was once Animal Farm’s idea. So Snowball is suddenly presented as traitor who colluded with Jones, then with neighboring farm owners, even that he led attack on farm, as well as that windmill idea was, in fact, always Napoleon’s idea (he just played subtle mind games against enemy), as well as that Snowball is one who steals from them at night… though no one saw Snowball even once since his expulsion.
Squealer reminds animals farm never progressed better, but also that animals must endure bit of suffering, because they surely don’t want Jones to return (though Jones died meanwhile).
Of course, pigs “had to” move into farmer’s house for strategic reasons and sleep in comfortable beds because they deal with mental work, not because they want to. Squealer reminds other animals their leader Napoleon suffers most and takes upon himself great and stressful responsibilities, but bears all that dignifiedly.
And there’s some beer pigs accidentally discovered… but they know it’s harmful, so don’t share it with other animals.
Then there’s plan for school for piglets of which there are now increasing number (and considering there’s only one boar on farm, can be assumed who’s their daddy) where they’ll be taught that pigs (though all animals are equal), are still a bit above other animals…
And “Beasts of England” isn’t sung anymore, but new anthem dedicated to leader Napoleon.
Sheep like retards repeat (i.e., bleat) “four legs good, two legs bad” (though seems they have no idea what it means, they were just told to learn it and repeat all day), horse Boxer works beyond his capabilities and repeats mantras “Napoleon is right” and “I’ll work harder” (and constantly gets up earlier and earlier to work hauling stones for windmill). Hens lay eggs to exhaustion (which serve for unexpected trade with farmers, though they’re like enemies). Crows talk about some heavenly place where all animals will go. Donkey laughs at everything. Dogs guard Napoleon and bark at anyone who speaks badly against Napoleon and get dog biscuits as rewards and…
Well, excuse me, but I’d stop with review here.
It was funny while I read book, but now I’m a bit uncomfortable writing this review and drawing parallel with some countries and their societies and mentalities. Somehow I don’t want to go into deeper analysis…
So, “Animal Farm” can be read in one afternoon because of small number of pages and simple writing style.
It’s classic.
Orwell was right. This book will explain how politics and politicians function.
It’ll also explain how diplomacy functions. No need to read Henry Kissinger’s “Diplomacy” which has almost 900 pages. This ten times shorter fable will explain everything in simple language.
And if you read it these days, it’ll be clear why I didn’t want to go into deeper book analysis.
And yes, cat really turned out smartest.
And you, dear reader, which animal from farm are you? 😂
Book price: Laguna | Vulkan | Kontrast
