Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell is an incisive and iconic novella that delves into the intricacies of power, corruption, and betrayal. Set on Manor Farm, the story begins with the neglectful farmer, Mr. Jones, whose heavy drinking leaves the animals underfed and overworked. Fed up with their dire conditions, the animals, led by the pigs, stage a rebellion, ousting Mr. Jones and taking control of the farm.

Renaming it Animal Farm, the animals initially relish their newfound freedom. Adopting the principles of Animalism, an ideology that promotes equality and shared labour, the farm seems to flourish. The pigs, particularly Snowball and Napoleon, assert themselves as the leaders, envisaging a utopian society where all animals share the fruits of their labours. Productivity spikes, and a sense of camaraderie and hope pervades the farm.

However, as time passes, the pigs begin to veer away from the ideals they once championed. The maxim "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" becomes their new creed. As the pigs indulge in luxuries initially enjoyed only by humans, the other animals start to realise that their leaders are becoming indistinguishable from the oppressive humans they had overthrown. The betrayal of Boxer the workhorse, loyal and hard-working, marks the peak of the pigs' descent into corruption, revealing the harrowing truth of the new regime.

First published in 1945, Orwell's masterful satire offers a scathing critique of Soviet communism and totalitarian regimes. Through allegory and anthropomorphism, the novel exposes the devastating effects of power and the ease with which noble ideals can be subverted by corruption and greed. Despite its brevity, Animal Farm remains one of literature’s most potent examinations of political dynamics, resonating as strongly today as it did over seventy years ago. This timeless tale serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of freedom and the perpetual vigilance required to sustain it.