Animal Farm and Related Readings

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Summary: Animal Farm & Communism
Review: Animal Fram is one of the most interesting books on government views I have ever read. It is a classic story about how animals on a farm convert into a communistic way of life. All of the pigs are the heads of government. In the end living conditions for the pigs are fantastic and living conditions for the rest of the animals are horrible. This book conveyed a message which I agree with and it is that the Communist Government system is a system which does not work well in countries which have it right now and it would not be a good system to change to in the future. In the beginning, the animals are furious with the humans, but in the end the pigs form a relationship with the humans. The pigs walk on "two legs" to act like humans. The original animals who have survived from the very beginning see that their lives have slowly detiriorated. If you are teaching a government class, this book is a must read and if you are not in a government class and you want a good book to read Animal Farm should be number one on your list.

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Summary: A brilliant satire...
Review: Though Animal Farm was required reading, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the story of how a farm of animals rebels from the tyranny of their drunken owner Mr. Jones and create their own farm under their principal of animalism (all animals are equal). But the very idea is corrupted by the leaders- the pigs, and in the end they become more equal than the others. The references to some of the history of communism in Russia are obvious, but the novel can also be looked at more broadly, symbolizing what happens under all dictatorships.

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Summary: Magnificent parody of communism
Review: "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" Through a very entertaining novel about a "government" set up by animals in a farm, Orwell criticises Russian communism. Thoroughly entertaining. Orwell has certainly found a great way to convey his convictions in a very amusing way!

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Summary: This book is a revelation ! I had nightmares with pigs !
Review: WOW !Absolutely amazing ! READ THIS BOOK! "Animal Farm" is a political and literary masterpiece . The "Machiavelli 's Prince of our century .Please don't believe in the people who gives 1 or 2 stars in his review because they can only understand and loves thrashy ,sappy light "novels" and soap operas . Long life to Orwell!

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Summary: A picture of communism
Review: When I told everyone that communism dosen't work,they didn'y quite under stand my reasons.Now,after telling the story from this book,a 2nd grader could understand it.

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Summary: Pigs take the place of men in this prophetic parable.
Review: Animal Farm is a parable that can be related to nearly any system of government ever used by humanity. This story was written to reflect the real-life situation of communism. All of the major characters of this story were created to resemble a character in the true drama of the communist rule of the Soviet Union. Old Major, the philosopher-pig with a dream, resembles Karl Marx, the man who wanted equality for all the workers of the world. Napoleon, the pig-half man, is like Vladimir Lenin, the man who twisted Marxism so that nearly half of the world was working as his slaves and they loved him for it. Boxer the draft horse resembles the workers of eastern Europe, who were convinced that Lenin was a great man as he worked them to death. Mr. Jones, the former owner of Manor Farm, represents the czars of Russia who were murdered so that Lenin could take over their position. These similarities were created intentionally to closer relate the story to reality. George Orwell raises an interesting question with the close of this novel. As it ends nobody can discern between pigs and men. The pigs had risen up out of the muck to live as humans do, that is by enslaving all other creatures of god's creation. As the novel closed pigs lived and associated with men, acted like men, and proved themselves as capable of holding a position of leadership as any man. Through endless bickering, accusations, and general laziness men showed themselves as no greater than pigs. The enigma which arises from this situation is this: Is Humanity nothing but pigs or are pigs like humans with four legs and snouts? Napoleon the Pig is also an enigma to me. He used his fellow beasts' fascination with the philosophy of Old Major to manipulate them into working towards his goals. When he entered his position as supreme-commander-president-king of the Animal Farm, he seemed like a kind and just ruler. As time went on he grew more and more tyrannical, beginning by lying to his subjects and eventually executing everyone who disagreed with him, all in the name of animalism. Although the pig exemplifies all the traits of humanity that I loathe, I know a filthy swine is in the place of power and I am but a common citizen. I am not sure about how I would feel if I were in the position of comrade Napoleon. On one hand, I would be happy that I was making out as a thief, but on the other hand I would feel guilt about treating my subjects as slaves. Napoleon is truly the king of all vermin, a position that I wish I could lower myself to fill. I think Animal Farm is an excellent story. The story is an invaluable educational tool for the purpose of relating the true story of communism to something that can be understood by people who have not experienced it for themselves. For this reason I would strongly recommend this story as not only a very informative parable but also as an enjoyable story for anyone with any knowledge of the Russian Revolution and the Cold War.

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Summary: Animal Farm: An Interesting Book on Different Levels
Review: The main ideas in George Orwell's Animal Farm are based on the history of the Russian Revolution in 1917. For a 9th grade student, or for anyone with a limited knowledge of Russian history, it is difficult to compare all the book's characters to the historical Russian figures. A better background in history would have made the book more meaningful. The characters in Animal Farm are well-developed. It is an interesting story on a basic level, even if you do not know much about Czar Nicholas II. The faults of the communist style of government are evident. For example, although all the animals are suppose to be equal, some animals, such as the pigs, are more equal than others. One of the most memorable parts of Orwell's book is when I saw the true side of Napoleon. When he takes the pups away from their mother, trains them to attack, and orders them to go after Snowball, we see what Napoleon is really like. From that point on, I was not surprised by Napoleon's actions. I disliked him and his lack of respect for the other animals. You'll understand Animal Farm better on a deeper level if you know something about Russian history and events leading up to the Revolution.

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Summary: Do not classify this book!
Review: Too many readers have stated that this book is irrelevant now that the Russian revolution is over. But you should realize that the Russian revolution has no bearing on this material whatsoever. So what if it is modeled after real persons? The importance of this book comes from its lessons about the danger of power and manipulation and corruption. It is more relative now than ever.

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Summary: It's a great , if you don't mind looking between the lines
Review: I liked it, because I like to look for the deeper meaning behind things. I understood the symbolism, and I think that it was well written. The only problem is that some youths who read it, won't be able to pick that up. And that's all I have to say about that. Thank you!

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Summary: cool book!
Review: i loved this book. my social studies teacher made us read it as a study of the russian rev. i thought it was amazing. how many authors can make pigs and horses have such realistic personalities? amazing book. i can't beleive that orwell could make this into the most believable satire in the world. if you have a kid in middle school, or anyone who likes history, read this book!