George
Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is a biting satire of Communism- a system of government
where all property is owned by the community and everyone contributes and
receives the share according to the ability and need. It is a simple story of a
barnyard that depicts the corrupting influence of power.
Animals
of the Manor Farm start a rebellion against the owner Mr. Jones to live
equally, independently and happily together without anyone to lead and punish
them. After succeeding, the pigs of the farm take the charge of maintaining
prosperity and order on the farm. They change the name of the farm into 'Animal
Farm' and set-up 'The Seven Commandments' of Animalism, according to which the
animals would live with each other peacefully as friends, but treat every human
as enemies. All animals agreed to these commandments. But soon, the
distrustfulness among the pigs convert into conflict and Napoleon rise as the
power among the animals with the help of his ferocious dogs. Napoleon with the
help of Squealer distorts the ideologies of Animalism in his favour and starts
violating every commandment. Innocent animals get tortured and killed. Animal
products get traded with humans. Any animals trying to stand against Napoleon
gets killed. Soon or later, other animals don't find any difference between the
animals and humans with whom they fought to live independently and equally.
Animals
Farm describes how the easily the good intentions get subverted into tyranny
due to the greed of power. Napoleon, itself being the victim of human
oppression when comes to power, starts to oppress others.
In this dystopian world, every innocent suffers. Boxer, the most loyal and
hard-working animal, is sold to humans for butchering. Snowbell, the pig who
committed to the betterment of barnyard, is exiled from the farm for false
blame. Similarly, many animals are killed and persecuted and Napoleon rises as
the Dictator with Squealer assistance.
The
book has many aspects that make us ponder upon-communism, totalitarianism,
socialism, capitalism, liberalism and much more. Orwell's simple writing makes
this book fun to read. I enjoyed reading this book with its rich content and
simple story-telling that embeds different aspects. And I think every living,
conscious and rational being must know this story, doesn't matter whether it
can read or not.
