Animal Farm

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.