Animal Farm- Book Review

Animal Farm, by George Owell, is a book that uses symbolism and

satire to explore themes of power and corruption. A simple fable, it
is the history of a revolution that went wrong. Through various
animal characters, the book analyses the causes of failure of
communism.

All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. This
iconic line is used in the book to prove that human nature and
diversity makes it impossible to have a society where everyone is
equally happy.

When oppressed farm animals revolt against Mr. Jones, the

farmer, a new animal regime is established that promises a world
of equality and happiness for all. However, this utopian dream is
slowly torn apart as the pigs, the smartest animals (and
coincidentally the most idle) slowly establish a dictatorship instead.

Through a simple story telling, George Orwell presents a

totalitarian regime and analyzes the practicality of communism.

Despite the best of intentions at the beginning of the revolt,

differences in the animals cause conflicts to arise as questions of
leadership arise, bringing with them, the natural instinct of greed
and power. All commandments which are originally written to
ensure prosperity, are slowly twisted by the pigs led by Napolean,
and are reinforced through a herd of sheep.

"Animal Farm" shows how the mechanism of brainwashing works,

by showing how the pigs could make the other animals believe
practically anything.

Orwell describes how power turned the pigs from simple

"comrades" to ruthless dictators who managed to walk on two legs,
and carry whips. Thus, it can be concluded that power corrupts,
and absolute power corrupts absolutely.