The story begins on Manor Farm, where the animals endure neglect under the drunken farmer Mr. Jones. Inspired by Old Major, a boar who envisions a world free from human exploitation, the animals revolt, renaming the farm “Animal Farm” and establishing the Seven Commandments of Animalism, centered on equality. Led by pigs Snowball and Napoleon, the animals initially thrive, but power struggles emerge. Napoleon exiles Snowball, seizes control, and systematically dismantles the founding principles.The pigs manipulate language (e.g., altering commandments like “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess”) and exploit the laboring class. By the end, the pigs adopt human vices, forging alliances with neighboring farmers and declaring, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. The story concludes with the animals unable to distinguish pigs from humans, symbolizing the cyclical nature of oppression.

Animal Farm is a seminal critique of totalitarianism, particularly Stalinism. Orwell, a democratic socialist, aimed to expose how revolutionary movements could be hijacked by self-serving elites. The novella’s accessibility—a fable format with animal characters—allowed it to circumvent political censorship and reach global audiences.

Corruption of Revolutionary Ideals The pigs’ gradual betrayal of Animalism mirrors the Soviet Union’s shift from socialist ideals to Stalinist authoritarianism. The Seven Commandments, initially symbolizing equality, are repeatedly modified to justify the pigs’ privileges.Class Stratification and Power Orwell critiques how revolutions often replace one oppressive hierarchy with another. The pigs monopolize education, food, and decision-making, creating a new ruling class.Propaganda and Control Squealer, Napoleon’s propagandist, distorts facts to maintain control, such as falsely crediting Snowball’s windmill idea to Napoleon. The sheep’s mindless chanting of “Four legs good, two legs bad” exemplifies manipulated loyalty.Language as a Tool of Oppression The pigs’ revisionist tactics—like changing “Animal Farm” back to “Manor Farm”—demonstrate how language erases collective memory and sustains tyranny.

Cold War Symbolism Published as WWII ended, the book gained traction during the Cold War, serving as anti-Soviet propaganda in the West. Its critique of Stalinist purges and propaganda resonated with audiences wary of communism.Educational Influence Widely taught in schools, Animal Farm introduces students to allegory, political satire, and critical thinking about power dynamics.Universal Relevance The story’s themes transcend historical context, applying to modern issues like media manipulation, income inequality, and authoritarianism..

Political Discourse: Orwell’s depiction of “all power corrupts” became a cultural shorthand for critiquing authoritarian regimes.Censorship Battles: The book was banned in Soviet-allied nations and challenged in schools for its “subversive” content, underscoring its perceived threat to oppressive regimes.Literary Legacy: Animal Farm popularized political allegory in modern literature, influencing works like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.

Animal Farm remains a cornerstone of political literature, dissecting the fragility of egalitarian ideals in the face of human (or animal) greed. Orwell’s warning about the cyclical nature of oppression—where “the creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and already it was impossible to say which was which”—continues to resonate in an era of polarized politics and disinformation. By framing complex historical events as a simple fable, Orwell crafted a timeless critique of power’s corrupting influence, ensuring its relevance for generations.