Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Anonymous

"Animal Farm" is a political novel. The story begins when the animals in Manor Farm stage a rebellion after a rousing speech from Major, a very respected boar in the farm. They chase their human master, Mr. Jones, away and begin to run the farm themselves.

At first, all are happy. With Mr. Jones gone, the animals believe they now own the farm collectively and that they are all equal. The Seven Commandments is soon set up. Among the commandments are "no animal shall kill another animal", "all animals are equal" and "whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy".

It is soon decided that the pigs are the most intelligent, and shall be the "brainworkers". Among the pigs, two leaders emerge - Snowball and Napoleon. Problem arises when Snowball and Napoleon disagree on the plan to build a windmill on the farm. Snowball, a talented speaker, easily gains support. But unfortunately for him, Napoleon plays dirty and Snowball is chased away from the farm.

From here, everything in the farm starts to change. Public debates are abolished and the animals have to take orders from Napoleon. All the animals, except the pigs and dogs, are made to work, work and work. Their food ration decreases while the pigs grow fatter. Despite this, they are still convinced that life is much better than before.

Everything that goes wrong in the farm is blamed on Snowball. He becomes the invisible enemy whose threat is constantly present. Napoleon is admired and praised. And soon, The Seven Commandments are broken by the pigs, lead by Napoleon. But Napoleon is cunning enough to change the commandments so that the animals, who are generally stupid, never realizes when the commandments are broken. "No animal shall kill another animal" becomes "no animal shall kill another animal without reason".

The animals kept silent when the smallest liberties were taken away from them, and soon, they find that nothing they say matters anymore. They are no longer equals - the pigs have become the masters.