Animal Farm by George Orwell
A renowned literature by George Orwell (1945), subtly crafted to critise the Russian Revolution by Stalin. The novel also reflects the imperfection of any government system. However, my liking to this book is not so much of government and politics. I'm mystified by the way Orwell uses animals to bring forth the ugliness of a government system and to an extent - mankind.
The plot begins with the animals at Manor Farm yearning for freedom and a rebel soon takes place. After Mr. Jones and his men have been expelled from the farm, Animal Farm is established under the leadership of the pigs (Snowball and Napoleon). Seven commandments are inscribed on a wall for a better future. However, Napoleon has its hidden agenda - to overthrow Snowball and assume power in Animal Farm. Under the rule of Napoleon, the animals are misinformed and fed with lies of the initial Rebellion. The seven commandments subtly changes and reduces to only one single commandment - "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than other". At the end of the day, the animals at Animal Farm are filled with disillusion as they look on the changing faces of "pigs from men" and "men from pigs".
If you analyse the character of each animal, you will find some of the animals reasonably entertaining. Squealer is Napoleon's "spoke-pig" who twists and turns facts from black to white and vice versa. Just by the name, you may be able to imagine a sly looking porker, squealing away. Mollie is a lazy, vain horse who constantly irritates others by asking innocently dumb questions. And the stupidest animal in the novel is the sheep, who will just response in unison "Four legs good, two legs bad". It is heartbreaking to see Clover looking helplessly as Boxer, the most diligent horse, is taken to knackers's yard. If you think pigs are stupid, read Animal Farm and see for yourself!
A renowned literature by George Orwell (1945), subtly crafted to critise the Russian Revolution by Stalin. The novel also reflects the imperfection of any government system. However, my liking to this book is not so much of government and politics. I'm mystified by the way Orwell uses animals to bring forth the ugliness of a government system and to an extent - mankind.
The plot begins with the animals at Manor Farm yearning for freedom and a rebel soon takes place. After Mr. Jones and his men have been expelled from the farm, Animal Farm is established under the leadership of the pigs (Snowball and Napoleon). Seven commandments are inscribed on a wall for a better future. However, Napoleon has its hidden agenda - to overthrow Snowball and assume power in Animal Farm. Under the rule of Napoleon, the animals are misinformed and fed with lies of the initial Rebellion. The seven commandments subtly changes and reduces to only one single commandment - "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than other". At the end of the day, the animals at Animal Farm are filled with disillusion as they look on the changing faces of "pigs from men" and "men from pigs".
If you analyse the character of each animal, you will find some of the animals reasonably entertaining. Squealer is Napoleon's "spoke-pig" who twists and turns facts from black to white and vice versa. Just by the name, you may be able to imagine a sly looking porker, squealing away. Mollie is a lazy, vain horse who constantly irritates others by asking innocently dumb questions. And the stupidest animal in the novel is the sheep, who will just response in unison "Four legs good, two legs bad". It is heartbreaking to see Clover looking helplessly as Boxer, the most diligent horse, is taken to knackers's yard. If you think pigs are stupid, read Animal Farm and see for yourself!
Reading Level: Young People
posted by rae @ 11:57 PM
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