Ephemeris of the Mind (Book Review) Animal Farm
Time to read: 2 min read
Book Cover
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
Previous George Orwell review:
Review
While on the surface a simple children’s tale about farm animals who overthrow the owner of the farm in order to work for themselves, it’s really an allegory about the Communist Russian Revolution.
Many of the characters represent real-life historical figures. Major is Marx. Farmer Jones is Tsar Nicholas II, while Napoleon and Snowball are Stalin and Trotsky, respectively. The plot of Animal Farm loosely follows that of the Russian Revolution. Along with the symbolism, there are many ideas which are expressed. Chiefly among them is the idea that a totalitarian governing system, no matter under which banner, also produces the same results: suffering and oppression for the citizenry. This is most evident through Boxer, who represents the hard-working proletariat class. Boxer is faithful in his duties but is nevertheless manipulated and later discarded by those in charge once his usefulness is up. Orwell also warns against the gradual nature of totalitarianism. In the story, the freedoms and rights of the animals are gradually stripped away and they don’t notice or don’t care.
Conclusion
I'm glad I waited to read this so that I did not miss the references.