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Summary: The horrors of totalitarianism
Review: George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' was among the first writing to appear criticizing Stalin's communist Russia. The novel is a poignant allegory about what can go wrong when the masses allow themselves to be unquestioningly led by a select few 'leaders' who are supposedly acting in their best interests. The animals launch a revolution and expulse their drunken human master, and then set up their own form of socialist government. Things soon go wrong, however, when the pigs (who are the intellectual leaders) begin to brainwash and manipulate the other animals. In time, all of the ideals which the revolution stood for are abandoned, class distinctions arise, and the pigs begin subjugating everyone under their rule just as the farmer did. This book is not an attack against socialism itself, but rather against totalitarianism, whatever form it may take. Readers (and reviewers) who believe Orwell is attacking not only Stalinist Communism but also capitalism itself are missing the point. The pigs are portrayed as evil not because they become capitalists (though this is a step in their corruption), but because they assert absolute authority over the rest of the animals. Their crime lies in allowing special privileges for themselves, creating a system of classes, and abolishing the democratic voting power of the other farm animals. They are evil not because they open trade with other farmers and take on a capitalist attitude, but because they oppress the other animals in doing so. One of the things which makes this book a classic is that it applies to all systems of government, not just to Soviet Communism. The propaganda, the dog 'police' (equal to the Gestapo or the KGB), the changing of rules to exempt the upper-classes from their crimes--all of these things are dangers in any system of government, and apply to not only 1940's Communist Russia but also Nazi Germany (and many other governments throughout history as well). It is true that the animals' socialist government works for a time, and I suppose this could be an argument that Orwell is actually promoting socialism here. Well, the reason "Animalism" works at first is because each member of the farm does his duty, each contributes to the overall benefit of the community. In this case, it is a very Utopian socialism which Orwell promotes. And, if anything, this book shows that human (or animal) nature will not allow such a utopian existence to exist for long. The animals' government works at first because they govern themselves, and I think this is what Orwell is trying to tell us: any government whose rule is taken out of the hands of the people and placed in the role of a select few is certain to become corrupt and oppressive.
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Summary: Excellent satire of the Soviet Union
Review: Aside from providing an interesting and entertaining plot, Animal Farm is also an excellent satire of the Soviet Union. Similarities between the two are fairly obvious in places: the animals' hostile takeover of the farm; the displaying of Old Major's skull; the building of the windmill (the failed industrial revolution); the exile of Snowball the pig (Trotsky); and the ending of the book (which I won't ruin for all you potential readers!) A little research on Soviet history will make the book extremely enjoyable.
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Summary: Capitalist pigs.
Review: George Orwell's little warm-up to the much-superior *1984*. Indeed, if you've read the latter, there's no urgent need to read *Animal Farm*, as this book contains much of the same ideas, only here they're presented in a condescending "fairy tale" format involving farm animals. I say "condescending" because while the prose is superficially geared toward kids, the book is obviously for adult readers, and it becomes a trial to be lectured at as if you're eight years old. The book has more value for eight-year-olds anyway: at least they might get hooked by the plot without having to worry about the author's bitter politics. Conservatives who champion Orwell in general and this book in particular are either misreading the author, or don't know Orwell's political background, or -- much worse -- PURPOSEFULLY misreading him. The key to understanding this book is that Trotsky, who is represented here by the pig Snowball, is the HERO. Orwell really believed in that enlightened socialist stuff. The character of Josef Stalin, played by the pig Napoleon, is supposed to be a BETRAYAL of the socialist ideal. Of course, what actually comes through is the author's reductivist view of humankind (or in this case, animalkind). This bitterness toward the infinite stupidity of Man has been transferred by Orwell's readers onto socialism in general, understandably enough . . . but that's really missing the point. The author's INTENTION -- as opposed to what he actually wrote -- was to tell us what went wrong with Stalinist Russia, NOT what went wrong with socialism itself. Reading the work this way permits a clearer understanding of the ending, with its "capitalist pigs" regnant and communing with their fellow capitalist farmers. Orwell saw little difference between a communist oligarchy like Stalin's and your average capitalist country. In either system, his idealized "Boxers" and "Clovers" (the workhorses of the book) get the shaft. But even he knew these mythical "workers" were an idealization . I believe that deep down, Orwell suspected we are, all of us, like the sheep in this story. (The sheep will turn up again in *1984* as the "proles".) As such, it strikes me that Orwell wasn't just fooling his readers . . . he was fooling himself. Frankly, I find such misanthropy to be a pretty cowardly reaction to the problems of humanity, and am inclined to give *Animal Farm* an even lower rating than the Three Stars I have given it. But credit must be extended to the book's longevity, so Three Stars it is. (Perhaps the credit should be extended to the several generations of 9th Grade English teachers who have forced millions of puberty-stricken kids to read the book.)
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Summary: XAF_JOSH_SGT
Review: Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is one of the best books I have ever read. The basic plot is about animals on a farm driving out the dictating humans and living a prosperous life working together. They still have to do everything that they used too, except they are doing it for themselves. In the end the pigs end up taking control and they act just like the humans did. The style of writing Mr. Orwell uses is very good. It is a book that flows together and keeps you reading. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read.
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Summary: Book Bayond Words!
Review: This is a Masterpiece and a timeless classic! One of the greatest books I have ever read. The tale depicts not only the realities of the Communist State but of any Totalitarian State or Oppressing Regime or Oppressing Cult - and we have many examples in front of us even in today's so called civilized world! Wherever there are rulers like Nepoleon (a big fat pig) there is bound to be an "Animal Farm!" This is a tale of unchecked absolute power and corruption. It is a tale of base desires, evil intentions, exploitation and blind following. A must read for everyone who likes to read and should be read again and again from middle school till we leave this beautiful planet at every few years interval, as a reminder to us, so that we do not fall in to the same trap!
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Summary: Some of the best satire in the English language
Review: Orwell saw Communism as practiced in the Soviet Union (and eventually other places in the world) for what it was; despotism under the guise of "we're from the goverment and we're here to help you." He wrote this masterpiece of satire to explain the rise of Hitler, Stalin, and any other despot who comes with smiles on his lips and murder and greed in his heart. The farm is the metaphor for the world; the peasants (farm animals) are cruelly worked. They revolt, and the pigs, the smartest animals in the barnyard, soon run the farm and find that, using the cliches of socialism, they can get more production out of the farm animals for less food and expense. They soon shed the pretense of working for the four-legged good and are even worse than the simple brutish farmer that the animals sent packing. This books is truly frightening. As the animals realize their doom, you feel the chilly clamp of despotism around your own neck. If you haven't read this book, do so. A MUST-READ
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Summary: My Love.
Review: I love this book, I love this book, I love this book. This is without a doubt one of my favorite books ever. I loved how inventive George Orwell was able to make these animal characters. I honestly cannot describe how great this book is, and cannot see why anyone would not love it.
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Summary: SPLENDID!
Review: This book was really fun to read. I noticed I spent most of my reading trying to recognize who each animal represented. Very fun. Made me really angry at parts though!!
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Summary: Personification
Review: Animal Farm by George Orwell, is the story of the Bolshevic revolution, told using a farm's corruptness. Each character of the book is representative of one of the major people involved in Russia's dramatic change. The Czar, Lenin, Tratski, Stalin, the government, the working class, followers, and secret police, are all present in this story through animals. Old major a pig (Lenin), brings inspiration to the animals of the farm to take control of their lives. He dies, but Snowball(Tratski) organizes the attack on Mr.Jones (The Czar). After they succeed in riding the farm of Mr.Jones, Snowball makes plans of education and electricity for the future. Meanwhile Napoleon(Stalin), is planning his take over. Napoleon uses Snowball's plans but convinces the animals it is his own and that Snowball is to be banished. Squealer who is always at Napoleon's side goes around convincing everyone that Napoleon really is great. Boxer who is a horse(the working class) works very hard because he is thinking his work will pay off. When he gets injured and can no longer contribute to the progress of the far, Napoleon sends Boxer to a glue factory. The followers are the sheep and the dogs of the farm are the secret government. Anyway, the book is a fun and creative way to teach the Russian Revolution. It is a short and quick read that you can gain a lot from. Although you need to do a little bit of extra research if you don't know anything about the Russian Revolution to understand what everything represents, it is worth it.
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Summary: A Fairy Tale?
Review: In 1946 when Animal Farm was first published it was obvious to is readers that former Eton boy Eric Blair, or George Orwell had written a pretty savage critique of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. But more than a decade after the final collapse of the Soviet Union, is this story still relevant? Well if it was just confined to the events of the Russian revolution, then perhaps this work could fade in to the fog of obscurity with it's purpose completed, but "Animal Farm" is about so much more, that as long as people walk on their hind legs and live together in any type of society, it's content will be of the gravest importance. Beginning with the dream of Old Major that there will come a day when animals will throw off the yoke of their oppressors and share the fruits of their labours fairly among themselves, Animal Farm follows that dream to its eventual reality, it's betrayal and it's ultimate corruption in to something darker, more cynical and even farther from Old Major's noble dream than what had been before. Although Animal Farm has implications for all past and future revolutions its meaning goes much deeper than just a blue print for what can go wrong. This novel challenges us to look around us and to see the ongoing exploitation of our neighbours, our brother man and perhaps even ourselves, to recognise the truly bewildering amount spin and slant presented to us as pure facts for what it is and to "cast a cold eye" on the society we live in and the way it treats its citizens. In his excellent teachers notes on the novel Jerome Burg stated, "The essential question raised by Animal Farm is NOT "Could it happen again?" The essential question is "Do I realize that it IS happening everyday all around me?" and "What are MY responsibilities to do something about it?" I couldn't have put it any better myself.
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