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Animal Farm
Librarian's note: There is an Alternate Cover Edition for this edition of this book here.
A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.
When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.
A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.
When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.
141 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 17, 1945
About the author
George Orwell
1,257 books44.2k followersEric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist. His work is marked by keen intelligence and wit, a profound awareness of social injustice, an intense opposition to totalitarianism, a passion for clarity in language, and a belief in democratic socialism.
In addition to his literary career Orwell served as a police officer with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma from 1922-1927 and fought with the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1937. Orwell was severely wounded when he was shot through his throat. Later the organization that he had joined when he joined the Republican cause, The Workers Party of Marxist Unification (POUM), was painted by the pro-Soviet Communists as a Trotskyist organization (Trotsky was Joseph Stalin's enemy) and disbanded. Orwell and his wife were accused of "rabid Trotskyism" and tried in absentia in Barcelona, along with other leaders of the POUM, in 1938. However by then they had escaped from Spain and returned to England.
Between 1941 and 1943, Orwell worked on propaganda for the BBC. In 1943, he became literary editor of the Tribune, a weekly left-wing magazine. He was a prolific polemical journalist, article writer, literary critic, reviewer, poet, and writer of fiction, and, considered perhaps the twentieth century's best chronicler of English culture.
Orwell is best known for the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (published in 1949) and the satirical novella Animal Farm (1945) — they have together sold more copies than any two books by any other twentieth-century author. His 1938 book Homage to Catalonia, an account of his experiences as a volunteer on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War, together with numerous essays on politics, literature, language, and culture, have been widely acclaimed.
Orwell's influence on contemporary culture, popular and political, continues decades after his death. Several of his neologisms, along with the term "Orwellian" — now a byword for any oppressive or manipulative social phenomenon opposed to a free society — have entered the vernacular.
In addition to his literary career Orwell served as a police officer with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma from 1922-1927 and fought with the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1937. Orwell was severely wounded when he was shot through his throat. Later the organization that he had joined when he joined the Republican cause, The Workers Party of Marxist Unification (POUM), was painted by the pro-Soviet Communists as a Trotskyist organization (Trotsky was Joseph Stalin's enemy) and disbanded. Orwell and his wife were accused of "rabid Trotskyism" and tried in absentia in Barcelona, along with other leaders of the POUM, in 1938. However by then they had escaped from Spain and returned to England.
Between 1941 and 1943, Orwell worked on propaganda for the BBC. In 1943, he became literary editor of the Tribune, a weekly left-wing magazine. He was a prolific polemical journalist, article writer, literary critic, reviewer, poet, and writer of fiction, and, considered perhaps the twentieth century's best chronicler of English culture.
Orwell is best known for the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (published in 1949) and the satirical novella Animal Farm (1945) — they have together sold more copies than any two books by any other twentieth-century author. His 1938 book Homage to Catalonia, an account of his experiences as a volunteer on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War, together with numerous essays on politics, literature, language, and culture, have been widely acclaimed.
Orwell's influence on contemporary culture, popular and political, continues decades after his death. Several of his neologisms, along with the term "Orwellian" — now a byword for any oppressive or manipulative social phenomenon opposed to a free society — have entered the vernacular.
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June 10, 2017
سيظل دائما جميع الحيوانات سواسية..الا ان بعض "الخنازير" ستري دائما انها "متساوية" اكثر من الاخرين
جورج اورويل عام 1943 يقدم لنا نموذج لثورة
ثورة حيوانات علي "صاحب العزبة"..عشان حقوقهم
ثورة زي اي ثورة في تاريخ الانسانية..ثورة زي الثورة الروسية ولا الرومانية ولا ....أهي ثورة
حكاية مكررة، تقريبا بنفس النهاية..فإننا لم نتعلم من التاريخ، فهل سنتعلم من الرمز؟
الحكاية هنا حكاية ثورة
ثورة ما من اجل عيش يتناسب مع العمل..من اجل حرية حقيقية
ثورة ما من اجل الكرامة..ثورة من اجل العدالة الاجتماعية
ثورة نجحت في ازالة الضاغية...ثورة نجحت في جعل الارض كلها حقا للثوار
صارت ارضهم وملكهم..صار خيرها كله لهم..صاروا يملكون زمام امورهم
صاروا يتغنون نشيد نصرهم...فرحين بحريتهم..يرون في المستقبل فقط رخائهم
آل التنظيم الي جماعه من الخنازير..يقودها اثنان
الاول اختار مصلحة باقي الحيوانات واراد تطوير حياتهم بما يحقق اهداف ثورتهم
والثاني اختار الكسل..اختار التراخي
اختار ان يطلق علي الاول كلابه ليتلاشي
واختار ان ينفيه ويعلنه خائنا للبلاد..لاختلاف سياسة الاصلاح التي يريدها الاول بسياسته
شوه سمعته ومحا بطولته..بإستخدام خنزير اعلامي "يقلب الحق باطلا" ايضا يعمل تحت سياسته
اختار ان يغير
وصار الثاني هو الحاكم الرسمي للبلاد..الحاكم الشرعي..الوحيد ..الجمهوري المنتخب..بما لا يتعارض مع سياسته
صار الاول خائن...واي من يظهر عليه علامه تمرد فإنه خائن مثله ويعدم فورا..لا يتعارض هذا مع القانون..فقد غطي عليه بسياسته
عاد الظلم..عاد القهر..عاد الفقر وقله العيش
عاد التمييز الاجتماعي
وكيف له الا يعود وهناك قطيع من
يرددون الافكار المحرفه..يعلون بها صوتهم فوق اي صوت للمعارضه
ستتأثر بحق بمشهد اجتماع الناس بعد بضع شهور..يتذكرون ما كان ..ويقارونه بالان
كيف ضاعت ثورتهم...كيف ضاع حلمهم..وكيف خفت صوت نشيدهم
يحاولوا التغني بنشيدهم مره اخري ...لربما بعث لهم الامل مجددا
ليفاجأوا بمنع الخنازير للنشيد..فالثوره انتهت بالنسبه للخنازير بحكمهم..وباعدامهم اخوانهم..المعارضون الخونه
*************************
ركب الخنازير الثورة وحموا حكمهم بالكلاب الشرسة
وغطوا علي اخفاقاتهم وسرقاتهم بخنزيرهم المحنك اعلاميا يحيل الحق باطلا والباطل حقا
تعاونوا مع الغراب الذي يدفع بغطاء
ثم تحالفوا مع عدوهم الاصلي ليحكموا قبضتهم علي الحكم
وضعوا يدهم في يد الاعداء...حتي صار لافرق بين خنزيرا وانسان
************************************
لا اعتقد ان هذا ريفيو اساسا لروايه رائعه صاغها برمزيه وبراعه جورج اورويل
هذا مجرد تلخيص ردئ
لقد عرفت الان لماذا لم تكتب احد اصدقائي هنا في الجودريدز ريفيو عن ذلك الروايه -بالرغم من غزاره ريفيوهاتها-..الروايه لا تستحق ريفيو اساسا
هي تقرأ وتستوعب فحسب
ولكن لنصارح أنفسنا ... أننا لم نتعظ من التاريخ بشكل مباشر...فكيف ان نتعظ من صورة رمزية له وإن كانت بمنتهي الأتقان
فلنحاول
ربما ننجح يوما في ثورة لا تنتهي ب
مزرعة الحيوانات
محمد العربي
فقط في 24 يونيو 2013
"ملحوظه"
-----
قرأت تلك الرواية قبل احداث 30 يونيو 2013
والغريب جدا ان بعد أعادة قراءتي للريفيو أجد أنها تصلح لنفس الحال بعد سنتين..نفس الريفيو الرمزي يصلح لأي وقت...بالضبط كالرواية..وسعدت أني كتبت الريفيو بالرمز مثلها
العجيب فعلا ان الرواية تصلح لكل العهود السياسية التي أتت علينا
مصر قبل 25 يناير وبعدها
مصر قبل 30 يونيو وبعدها
وبمجرد ان قرئتها..شعرت ان هذه الرواية يجب ان يتم تدريسها بالمدارس..فكل الاجيال تستحق هذا الوعي السياسي
الا اني رايت سببا -وان اكاد ان اجزم انه ليس السبب الرئيسي لهذا- ان نهايتها المقبضه لا تتناسب لصغار السن
ولكن هذه النهاية المقبضة للاسف...واقعية
جورج اورويل عام 1943 يقدم لنا نموذج لثورة
ثورة حيوانات علي "صاحب العزبة"..عشان حقوقهم
ثورة زي اي ثورة في تاريخ الانسانية..ثورة زي الثورة الروسية ولا الرومانية ولا ....أهي ثورة
حكاية مكررة، تقريبا بنفس النهاية..فإننا لم نتعلم من التاريخ، فهل سنتعلم من الرمز؟
الحكاية هنا حكاية ثورة
ثورة ما من اجل عيش يتناسب مع العمل..من اجل حرية حقيقية
ثورة ما من اجل الكرامة..ثورة من اجل العدالة الاجتماعية
ثورة نجحت في ازالة الضاغية...ثورة نجحت في جعل الارض كلها حقا للثوار
صارت ارضهم وملكهم..صار خيرها كله لهم..صاروا يملكون زمام امورهم
صاروا يتغنون نشيد نصرهم...فرحين بحريتهم..يرون في المستقبل فقط رخائهم
آل التنظيم الي جماعه من الخنازير..يقودها اثنان
الاول اختار مصلحة باقي الحيوانات واراد تطوير حياتهم بما يحقق اهداف ثورتهم
والثاني اختار الكسل..اختار التراخي
اختار ان يطلق علي الاول كلابه ليتلاشي
واختار ان ينفيه ويعلنه خائنا للبلاد..لاختلاف سياسة الاصلاح التي يريدها الاول بسياسته
شوه سمعته ومحا بطولته..بإستخدام خنزير اعلامي "يقلب الحق باطلا" ايضا يعمل تحت سياسته
اختار ان يغير
وصار الثاني هو الحاكم الرسمي للبلاد..الحاكم الشرعي..الوحيد ..الجمهوري المنتخب..بما لا يتعارض مع سياسته
صار الاول خائن...واي من يظهر عليه علامه تمرد فإنه خائن مثله ويعدم فورا..لا يتعارض هذا مع القانون..فقد غطي عليه بسياسته
عاد الظلم..عاد القهر..عاد الفقر وقله العيش
عاد التمييز الاجتماعي
وكيف له الا يعود وهناك قطيع من
يرددون الافكار المحرفه..يعلون بها صوتهم فوق اي صوت للمعارضه
ستتأثر بحق بمشهد اجتماع الناس بعد بضع شهور..يتذكرون ما كان ..ويقارونه بالان
كيف ضاعت ثورتهم...كيف ضاع حلمهم..وكيف خفت صوت نشيدهم
يحاولوا التغني بنشيدهم مره اخري ...لربما بعث لهم الامل مجددا
ليفاجأوا بمنع الخنازير للنشيد..فالثوره انتهت بالنسبه للخنازير بحكمهم..وباعدامهم اخوانهم..المعارضون الخونه
*************************
ركب الخنازير الثورة وحموا حكمهم بالكلاب الشرسة
وغطوا علي اخفاقاتهم وسرقاتهم بخنزيرهم المحنك اعلاميا يحيل الحق باطلا والباطل حقا
تعاونوا مع الغراب الذي يدفع بغطاء
ثم تحالفوا مع عدوهم الاصلي ليحكموا قبضتهم علي الحكم
وضعوا يدهم في يد الاعداء...حتي صار لافرق بين خنزيرا وانسان
************************************
لا اعتقد ان هذا ريفيو اساسا لروايه رائعه صاغها برمزيه وبراعه جورج اورويل
هذا مجرد تلخيص ردئ
لقد عرفت الان لماذا لم تكتب احد اصدقائي هنا في الجودريدز ريفيو عن ذلك الروايه -بالرغم من غزاره ريفيوهاتها-..الروايه لا تستحق ريفيو اساسا
هي تقرأ وتستوعب فحسب
ولكن لنصارح أنفسنا ... أننا لم نتعظ من التاريخ بشكل مباشر...فكيف ان نتعظ من صورة رمزية له وإن كانت بمنتهي الأتقان
فلنحاول
ربما ننجح يوما في ثورة لا تنتهي ب
مزرعة الحيوانات
محمد العربي
فقط في 24 يونيو 2013
"ملحوظه"
-----
قرأت تلك الرواية قبل احداث 30 يونيو 2013
والغريب جدا ان بعد أعادة قراءتي للريفيو أجد أنها تصلح لنفس الحال بعد سنتين..نفس الريفيو الرمزي يصلح لأي وقت...بالضبط كالرواية..وسعدت أني كتبت الريفيو بالرمز مثلها
العجيب فعلا ان الرواية تصلح لكل العهود السياسية التي أتت علينا
مصر قبل 25 يناير وبعدها
مصر قبل 30 يونيو وبعدها
وبمجرد ان قرئتها..شعرت ان هذه الرواية يجب ان يتم تدريسها بالمدارس..فكل الاجيال تستحق هذا الوعي السياسي
الا اني رايت سببا -وان اكاد ان اجزم انه ليس السبب الرئيسي لهذا- ان نهايتها المقبضه لا تتناسب لصغار السن
ولكن هذه النهاية المقبضة للاسف...واقعية
October 6, 2022
Amazon's very Orwellian involvement with this book at the end. If Amazon ever partnered Facebook they'd own us.
This is not really a review, but one of those moments where everything that was clear to you suddenly becomes utterly muddied and you really can't say what lies beneath the murky waters although a moment before you were sure you could.
I'm reading Christopher Hitchen's astonishingly percipient and brilliant Arguably: Essays. I read Animal Farm too young to identify the individual animals with actual characters on the stage of communism (the old boar Major is Marx, Farmer Jones is the Tsar, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, Stalin and Trotsky respectively) so this essay is giving me a lot to think about. So far, nothing more so than this quote (below).
(Background to the quote): A group of Ukrainian and Polish refugees in a displaced persons' camp had discovered sympathetic parallels with their own plight in Orwell's parable and had begged him for permission to translate his almost-totally unknown book. But...
The emotions of the American military authorities in Europe were not so easily touched. They rounded up all the copies of Animal Farm they could find and turned them over to the Red Army to be burned. The alliance between the farmers and the pigs so hauntingly described in the final pages of the novel were still in force.
The book is banned in Cuba, North Korea, Burma, Iran, Kenya and most Arab countries. It is banned in the UAE not because of it's content but because it has anthropomorphic talking pigs which are unIslamic (is this not Orwellian in itself?). It is still censored in Vietnam. These nations wouldn't want ordinary people reading the book and looking at their own ruling porcine elites and seeing any parallels now would they? Who knows what kind of thoughts and actions that might lead to?
Amazon and Animal Farm
On 17 July 2009, Amazon.com withdrew certain Amazon Kindle titles, including Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, from sale, refunded buyers, and remotely deleted items from purchasers' devices after discovering that the publisher lacked rights to publish the titles in question. Notes and annotations for the books made by users on their devices were also deleted. After the move prompted outcry and comparisons to Nineteen Eighty-Four itself, Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener stated that the company is "changing our systems so that in the future we will not remove books from customers' devices in these circumstances." However, Amazon does not seem to a guarantee in its ToS that they won't don't this again and I understand that authors have the ability to edit (read 'change') parts of their books. This is because you can't buy a Kindle book, only rent one and Amazon can update (read 'change') them. Wikipedia and other sources
Next step: Fahrenheit 451. Get the firemen out to burn the books, only ebooks allowed where content can be controlled.
Original review 30 Oct 2011, updated several times.
This is not really a review, but one of those moments where everything that was clear to you suddenly becomes utterly muddied and you really can't say what lies beneath the murky waters although a moment before you were sure you could.
I'm reading Christopher Hitchen's astonishingly percipient and brilliant Arguably: Essays. I read Animal Farm too young to identify the individual animals with actual characters on the stage of communism (the old boar Major is Marx, Farmer Jones is the Tsar, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, Stalin and Trotsky respectively) so this essay is giving me a lot to think about. So far, nothing more so than this quote (below).
(Background to the quote): A group of Ukrainian and Polish refugees in a displaced persons' camp had discovered sympathetic parallels with their own plight in Orwell's parable and had begged him for permission to translate his almost-totally unknown book. But...
The emotions of the American military authorities in Europe were not so easily touched. They rounded up all the copies of Animal Farm they could find and turned them over to the Red Army to be burned. The alliance between the farmers and the pigs so hauntingly described in the final pages of the novel were still in force.
The book is banned in Cuba, North Korea, Burma, Iran, Kenya and most Arab countries. It is banned in the UAE not because of it's content but because it has anthropomorphic talking pigs which are unIslamic (is this not Orwellian in itself?). It is still censored in Vietnam. These nations wouldn't want ordinary people reading the book and looking at their own ruling porcine elites and seeing any parallels now would they? Who knows what kind of thoughts and actions that might lead to?
Amazon and Animal Farm
On 17 July 2009, Amazon.com withdrew certain Amazon Kindle titles, including Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, from sale, refunded buyers, and remotely deleted items from purchasers' devices after discovering that the publisher lacked rights to publish the titles in question. Notes and annotations for the books made by users on their devices were also deleted. After the move prompted outcry and comparisons to Nineteen Eighty-Four itself, Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener stated that the company is "changing our systems so that in the future we will not remove books from customers' devices in these circumstances." However, Amazon does not seem to a guarantee in its ToS that they won't don't this again and I understand that authors have the ability to edit (read 'change') parts of their books. This is because you can't buy a Kindle book, only rent one and Amazon can update (read 'change') them. Wikipedia and other sources
Next step: Fahrenheit 451. Get the firemen out to burn the books, only ebooks allowed where content can be controlled.
Original review 30 Oct 2011, updated several times.
November 16, 2008
This is a book I've been meaning to read for ages but never got around to - last week I not only read it but gave a lesson on the historical context for the grade 8 class, who will be reading this book and The Wave. As I found, out of the class of 24, about 20 of them had already read the book, and at least one kid knew it was an allegory of the Russian Revolution. Still, my lesson wasn't totally redundant :)
For anyone who isn't familiar with the story, Animal Farm is about the animals on a farm in England rising up against the incompetent, cruel farmer (Mr Jones, who represents the deposed Tsar, Nicholas II) and taking over the farm, renaming it Animal Farm (USSR) and - so the glorious vision intended - running it for themselves, so their lives would be better.
The vision is given to them by a pig, Old Major, who dies not long afterwards. Old Major probably represents Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx, and it's not the socialist ideal put forward that is critiqued by this book but how that vision is corrupted by certain other characters, namely another pig called Napoleon, who represents Joseph Stalin. Napoleon chases a pig called Snowball (Leon Trotsky) off the farm with his personally trained dogs (while still just the General Secretary of the Party, Stalin recruited people who would follow him blindly, so that when Lenin died in 1924 he was able to defeat Trotsky for the leadership position and his "dogs" kept everyone else in line).
The pigs then take charge, and with their literacy skills keep changing the rules the animals established in order to suit themselves, using a pig called Squealer to convince the other animals that their memories are faulty. After all, as the drafthorse Boxer keeps saying, "Comrade Napoleon is always right".
Boxer is - for me - the most heartbreaking character in the novel. He represents the peasants, and is the most hardworking animal on the farm. He has utter faith in the leadership of Napoleon and works himself to the bone - literally. His reward is very telling, though I don't want to give it away. Most of the characters represent either a person, several people or groups of people, and for the complete list you can check it out on Wikipedia.
Orwell, while a socialist, was very cynical about Stalin's communist USSR - and for good reason! Animal Farm is a very well-written critique of how socialist ideals are corrupted by powerful people, how the uneducated masses are taken advantage of, and how the dictator or communist leaders turn into capitalists (just look at China). It's a wonderful example of how effective the allegorical style/format can be, and a well-deserved classic.
For anyone who isn't familiar with the story, Animal Farm is about the animals on a farm in England rising up against the incompetent, cruel farmer (Mr Jones, who represents the deposed Tsar, Nicholas II) and taking over the farm, renaming it Animal Farm (USSR) and - so the glorious vision intended - running it for themselves, so their lives would be better.
The vision is given to them by a pig, Old Major, who dies not long afterwards. Old Major probably represents Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx, and it's not the socialist ideal put forward that is critiqued by this book but how that vision is corrupted by certain other characters, namely another pig called Napoleon, who represents Joseph Stalin. Napoleon chases a pig called Snowball (Leon Trotsky) off the farm with his personally trained dogs (while still just the General Secretary of the Party, Stalin recruited people who would follow him blindly, so that when Lenin died in 1924 he was able to defeat Trotsky for the leadership position and his "dogs" kept everyone else in line).
The pigs then take charge, and with their literacy skills keep changing the rules the animals established in order to suit themselves, using a pig called Squealer to convince the other animals that their memories are faulty. After all, as the drafthorse Boxer keeps saying, "Comrade Napoleon is always right".
Boxer is - for me - the most heartbreaking character in the novel. He represents the peasants, and is the most hardworking animal on the farm. He has utter faith in the leadership of Napoleon and works himself to the bone - literally. His reward is very telling, though I don't want to give it away. Most of the characters represent either a person, several people or groups of people, and for the complete list you can check it out on Wikipedia.
Orwell, while a socialist, was very cynical about Stalin's communist USSR - and for good reason! Animal Farm is a very well-written critique of how socialist ideals are corrupted by powerful people, how the uneducated masses are taken advantage of, and how the dictator or communist leaders turn into capitalists (just look at China). It's a wonderful example of how effective the allegorical style/format can be, and a well-deserved classic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
The only good pig is a dead pig.
Yeah, yeah, everyone claims Orwell wrote this as about the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and the rise of Communism.
Pshttt. Whatever.
You know what I think he was really saying?
Beware the Other White Meat!
Ok, maybe not.
Look, I know what you're thinking, That pig looks adorable!, but the next thing you know, that piggy is all grown up and stealing your cookies!
And you'll let it steal your cookies because Mr. Pig has convinced you that giving up your cookies every day was a part of the original agreement! Besides, what do you know, you're just a stupid sheep...
Plus, it's just a cookie, where's the harm?
Not to mention, the last guy who complained about giving up his cookie ended up mauled by that dog. Probably just a coincidence, though.
Right?
But it's ok because pigs are smart. That's what everyone says, right? Smarter than you are, at any rate. And if the pig says it's ok, then it's ok.
I mean look at it! It couldn't possibly have anything but your best interests at heart!
Alright, I'm outta pig gifs.
So, I thought this was a pretty cool book. Sure, it's supposed to be about Russia, but it could just as easily be about the working class in my country.
Bottom line?
We need to stop listening to the spin doctors on the boob tube and start thinking for ourselves. Question everything, especially the things we think we know are true. It might be a good idea to teach our kids that it's ok to not blindly believe everything we tell them, too. Besides, if we're right, then our ideals can stand up to the scrutiny of children. Otherwise, we risk raising a generation of idiots.
Oh! I found one more pig gif!
Yeah, yeah, everyone claims Orwell wrote this as about the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and the rise of Communism.
Pshttt. Whatever.
You know what I think he was really saying?
Beware the Other White Meat!
Ok, maybe not.
Look, I know what you're thinking, That pig looks adorable!, but the next thing you know, that piggy is all grown up and stealing your cookies!
And you'll let it steal your cookies because Mr. Pig has convinced you that giving up your cookies every day was a part of the original agreement! Besides, what do you know, you're just a stupid sheep...
Plus, it's just a cookie, where's the harm?
Not to mention, the last guy who complained about giving up his cookie ended up mauled by that dog. Probably just a coincidence, though.
Right?
But it's ok because pigs are smart. That's what everyone says, right? Smarter than you are, at any rate. And if the pig says it's ok, then it's ok.
I mean look at it! It couldn't possibly have anything but your best interests at heart!
Alright, I'm outta pig gifs.
So, I thought this was a pretty cool book. Sure, it's supposed to be about Russia, but it could just as easily be about the working class in my country.
Bottom line?
We need to stop listening to the spin doctors on the boob tube and start thinking for ourselves. Question everything, especially the things we think we know are true. It might be a good idea to teach our kids that it's ok to not blindly believe everything we tell them, too. Besides, if we're right, then our ideals can stand up to the scrutiny of children. Otherwise, we risk raising a generation of idiots.
Oh! I found one more pig gif!
January 31, 2024
Animal Farm is the story of a set of animals who overthrow their human-owner. Will the animals have better lives now that the humans are gone?
Philip Pullman once said that, "A story will help us make sense of anything." In this case, George Orwell uses Animal Farm as an allegory of Russian history with certain characters representing famous figures who shaped Russian history such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky.
This book was part of the monthly Readalongs that I am hosting, and what a wonderous book to begin 2022! The Readalong was simply spectacular and gave this reading such a particular depth. As the Readalong encompassed readers across the globe, we had the opportunity to discuss how the book related to our own government's history. Animal Farm provides a lot of ideas to noodle on, and I really enjoyed it.
This is one of the books on the 100 Books to Read According to the BBC List:
https://www.listchallenges.com/bbcs-t...
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
Philip Pullman once said that, "A story will help us make sense of anything." In this case, George Orwell uses Animal Farm as an allegory of Russian history with certain characters representing famous figures who shaped Russian history such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky.
This book was part of the monthly Readalongs that I am hosting, and what a wonderous book to begin 2022! The Readalong was simply spectacular and gave this reading such a particular depth. As the Readalong encompassed readers across the globe, we had the opportunity to discuss how the book related to our own government's history. Animal Farm provides a lot of ideas to noodle on, and I really enjoyed it.
This is one of the books on the 100 Books to Read According to the BBC List:
https://www.listchallenges.com/bbcs-t...
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
November 10, 2018
ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS !
In the start, I thought this book would be from the view point of animals; about how they are treated, how they expect to be treated and how man is cruel towards them.
But but but;
I am amazed at how Orwell criticizes the political maneuvers and totalitarian rule, using animals to explain what humans do. The author beautifully portrays the way a revolution is started to stop what is happening and going full circle comes to the same point it started from. Just the face of power is changed.
This book tells how the ruling class makes fool of the working class, uses their energies and resources for their own pleasure. What happens behind the closed doors of power.
How the working class is being brain washed that they are happy and satisfied and free despite of the obvious slavery they have been undergoing.
My favorite character was Benjamin (yes, a donkey) , who remains a neutral throughout and says nothing despite understanding everything.
A huge applause to Orwell for being able to explain human psyche, political and social dilemma wrapped in the form of this story.
In the start, I thought this book would be from the view point of animals; about how they are treated, how they expect to be treated and how man is cruel towards them.
But but but;
I am amazed at how Orwell criticizes the political maneuvers and totalitarian rule, using animals to explain what humans do. The author beautifully portrays the way a revolution is started to stop what is happening and going full circle comes to the same point it started from. Just the face of power is changed.
This book tells how the ruling class makes fool of the working class, uses their energies and resources for their own pleasure. What happens behind the closed doors of power.
How the working class is being brain washed that they are happy and satisfied and free despite of the obvious slavery they have been undergoing.
My favorite character was Benjamin (yes, a donkey) , who remains a neutral throughout and says nothing despite understanding everything.
A huge applause to Orwell for being able to explain human psyche, political and social dilemma wrapped in the form of this story.
November 20, 2008
A perfect book. People will still be reading this in a thousand years time, when communism is just a footnote.
December 27, 2016
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Those damn PIGS.
I can't even.
Those damn PIGS.
I can't even.
July 26, 2021
(book 564 From 1001 Books) - Animal Farm, George Orwell
Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945.
According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
Orwell, a democratic socialist, was a critic of Joseph Stalin and hostile to Moscow-directed Stalinism, an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War.
The Soviet Union, he believed, had become a brutal dictatorship, built upon a cult of personality and enforced by a reign of terror.
Old Major, the old boar on the Manor Farm, summons the animals on the farm together for a meeting, during which he refers to humans as "enemies" and teaches the animals a revolutionary song called "Beasts of England".
When Major dies, two young pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, assume command and consider it a duty to prepare for the Rebellion. The animals revolt and drive the drunken and irresponsible farmer Mr. Jones from the farm, renaming it "Animal Farm".
They adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most important of which is, "All animals are equal."
Snowball teaches the animals to read and write, while Napoleon educates young puppies on the principles of Animalism. Food is plentiful, and the farm runs smoothly.
The pigs elevate themselves to positions of leadership and set aside special food items, ostensibly for their personal health.
Some time later, several men attack Animal Farm.
Jones and his men are making an attempt to recapture the farm, aided by several other farmers who are terrified of similar animal revolts. Snowball and the animals, who are hiding in ambush, defeat the men by launching a surprise attack as soon as they enter the farmyard. Snowball's popularity soars, and this event is proclaimed "The Battle of the Cowshed".
It is celebrated annually with the firing of a gun, on the anniversary of the Revolution. Napoleon and Snowball vie for pre-eminence. When Snowball announces his plans to modernize the farm by building a windmill, Napoleon has his dogs chase Snowball away and declares himself leader. ...
عنوانها: قلعه (مزرعه) حیوانات - نویسنده: جورج اورول؛ (جامی،...) ادبیات انگلستان؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش متن نسخه انگلیسی: در سال 1975میلادی
مترجمها: بدون هیچ ترتیبی آنهایی را که یافتم چل و چهار نامدار را بنگاشتم؛ گویا باید در رکوردهای گینس ثبت شود
مترجم 01 - امیرامیرشاهی در 154ص؛
مترجم 02 - محمد فیروزبخت در 136ص؛
مترجم 03 - احسان واحدی در 133ص؛
مترجم 04 - رضا زارع در 120ص؛
مترجم 05 - علی گرانمایه در 152ص؛
مترجم 06 - سیروس نورآبادی و محسن موحدی زاد در 130ص؛
مترجم 07 - احمد کسایی پور در 171 ص؛ نشر ماهی 1394 در 147ص؛
مترجم 08 - مرضیه صدر در 108ص؛
مترجم 09 - نرگس حیدری منجیلی در 128ص؛
مترجم 10 - صالح حسینی و معصومه نبی زاده در 158ص؛
مترجم 11 - آزاده دادفر در 195ص؛
مترجم 12 - مریم صالحی در 127ص؛
مترجم 13 - شهاب حبیبی در 176ص؛
مترجم 14 - مجید نوریان در 78ص؛
مترجم 15 - همایون نوراحمر در 131ص؛
مترجم 16 - همایون بهشتی در 139ص؛
مترجم 17 - مرجان غیبی در 234ص؛
مترجم 18 - یولاند گوهرین در 160ص؛
مترجم 19 - غلامرضا صالحی معوا در 128ص؛
مترجم 20 - زهرا نوروزی در 117ص؛
مترجم 21 - زینت علیزاده در 128ص؛
مترجم 22 - بهروز غریب پور در 92ص؛
مترجم 23 - سمانه فلاح در 104ص؛
مترجم 24 - وحید کیان در 139ص؛
مترجم 25 - محمدرضا آخوندی و زهرا محمدی در 108ص؛
مترجم 26 - مریم رشتی زاده در 124ص؛
مترجم 27 - محمد هاشمی و سعید هاشمی در 112ص؛
مترجم 28 - حوریا موسایی در 126ص؛
مترجم 29 - منصوره چراغی در 126ص؛
مترجم 30 - مجتبی پایدار در 112ص؛
مترجم 31 - پژمان کوشش در 155ص؛
مترجم 32 - آوینا ترنم در 128 ص؛
مترجم 33 - حوراء وحیدی در 128 ص؛
مترجم 34 - ادریس باباخانی در 90 ص؛
مترجم 35 - مژگان احمدی در 120ص؛
مترجم 36 - حلیمه بیع آتی در 112ص؛
مترجم 37 - قدیر گلکاریان در 120ص؛
مترجم 38 - علی اصغر افرجی در 132ص؛
مترجم 39 - مهنوش جواهری در 141ص؛
مترجم 40 - علی جواهرکلام در 128ص؛
مترجم 41 - حجت امامی در 127ص؛
مترجم 42 - محمدعلی جدیری و صمد محمدی آسیابی در 111ص؛
مترجم 43 - حمیدرضا بلوچ در 127ص؛
مترجم 44 - احمد کسایی پور در 147ص؛
کتاب «مزرعه ی حیوانات»، یا «قلعه حیوانات»، رمانی پاد آرمانشهری، به زبان «انگلیسی»، و نوشته ای از جناب «جُرج اُروِل» است؛ ایشان این رمان را، در طول جنگ جهانی دوم بنوشته، و نخستین بار در سال 1945میلادی، در «انگلستان» منتشر کرده اند؛ «مزرعه ی حیوانات»، درباره ی گروهی از جانوران اهلی است، که در اقدامی آرمانگرایانه و انقلابی، صاحب مزرعه (آقای جونز) را، از مزرعه ی خویش فراری میدهند، تا خود اداره ی مزرعه را به دست گرفته، و «برابری» و «رفاه» را، در جامعه ی خود، برقرار سازند
رهبری این جنبش را، گروهی از «خوک»ها، در دست دارند، ولی پس از مدتی، این گروه انقلابی نیز، به رهبری خوکی به نام «ناپلئون»، همچون همان آقای «جونز»، به بهره کشی از حیوانات مزرعه میپردازند، و هرگونه مخالفتی را سرکوب میکنند؛ جناب «اورول»، با نگارش این رُمان، از استبداد طبقه ی حاکم «شوروی»، به سختی ناراضی، و باور داشتند نظام «شوروی» به یک دیکتاتوری بدل گشته، و بر پایه ی کیش شخصیت، بنا شده است؛ داستان، با توصیف شبی آغاز میشود، که خوکی به نام «میجر پیر»، حیوانات را گرد هم آورده، و از ستمی که انسان بر حیوانات روا داشته اند، برای آنان سخن میگوید، و حیوانات را، به شورش علیه انسانها دعوت میکند؛ وی سپس، یک سرود کهن را که پس از آن به سرودی انقلابی، در بین حیوانات مزرعه بدل میشود، به آنها یاد میدهد؛ پس از چندی، حیوانات در پی شورشی، مالک مزرعه، به نام آقای «جونز» را، از مزرعه بیرون کرده، و خود اداره ی آن را به دست میگیرند
پس از آن انقلاب حیوانی، خوکها (که از هوش بالاتری نسبت به سایر حیوانات برخوردار هستند) نقش رهبری حیوانات مزرعه را، به دست میگیرند؛ اما پس از چندی در بین خود حیوانات، یک سری توطئه، و کودتا انجام میگیرد؛ «ناپلئون» که یکی از دو خوک پرنفوذ مزرعه است، با استفاده از سگهای درنده ای که مخفیانه تربیت کرده؛ «سنوبال»، دیگر خوک پرنفوذ مزرعه را، فراری داده، و خود رهبر بلامنازع مزرعه میشود؛ پس از آن، «سنوبال» عامل «جونز» معرفی شده، و تمام رویدادهای بد، و خرابکاریهایی که در مزرعه صورت میگیرد، به وی یا عوامل او، در داخل مزرعه نسبت داده میشود؛ و به فرمان «ناپلئون» بسیاری از حیوانات، به جرم همکاری با «سنوبال»، توسط سگها اعدام میشوند
در ادامه ی داستان خوکها به تدریج همه ی قوانین حیوانات را زیر پا میگذارند؛ قانون اساسی حیوانات معروف به «هفت فرمان» به تدریج محو و تحریف میشود، خواندن سرود قدغن، و حیوانات با غذای روزانه ی کم، مجبور به کار بسیار میشوند؛ در حالیکه خوکها فرمانروایی میکنند، و غذای زیادی میخورند؛ و از تمام امکانات رفاهی سود میبرند؛ و حتی یاد میگیرند که چطور روی دوپا راه بروند، و با انسانها معامله کنند
از جمله برنامه های «ناپلئون»، ساخت «آسیاب بادی» است، که گویا برای بهبود کیفیت زندگی حیوانات ساخته میشود؛ نقشه ی نخستین آسیاب، توسط «سنوبال» طرحریزی شده بود، و در ابتدا «ناپلئون» به مخالفت با آن برمیخیزد، ولی با بیرون راندن «سنوبال»، ایده ی ساخت آن را پی میگیرد، اما به دلیل بی کفایتی «ناپلئون»، ساخت آن به شکل مطلوبی پیش نمیرود
در پایان، ساخته شدن آسیاب، که با فداکاریها و زجر و تحمل فراوان حیوانات مزرعه، امکانپذیر گردیده، نه تنها به بهبود وضعیت زندگی حیوانات منجر نمیشود، که خود به آسبابی برای بهره کشی بیشتر از حیوانات بدل میگردد و ...؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 19/05/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 03/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945.
According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
Orwell, a democratic socialist, was a critic of Joseph Stalin and hostile to Moscow-directed Stalinism, an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War.
The Soviet Union, he believed, had become a brutal dictatorship, built upon a cult of personality and enforced by a reign of terror.
Old Major, the old boar on the Manor Farm, summons the animals on the farm together for a meeting, during which he refers to humans as "enemies" and teaches the animals a revolutionary song called "Beasts of England".
When Major dies, two young pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, assume command and consider it a duty to prepare for the Rebellion. The animals revolt and drive the drunken and irresponsible farmer Mr. Jones from the farm, renaming it "Animal Farm".
They adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most important of which is, "All animals are equal."
Snowball teaches the animals to read and write, while Napoleon educates young puppies on the principles of Animalism. Food is plentiful, and the farm runs smoothly.
The pigs elevate themselves to positions of leadership and set aside special food items, ostensibly for their personal health.
Some time later, several men attack Animal Farm.
Jones and his men are making an attempt to recapture the farm, aided by several other farmers who are terrified of similar animal revolts. Snowball and the animals, who are hiding in ambush, defeat the men by launching a surprise attack as soon as they enter the farmyard. Snowball's popularity soars, and this event is proclaimed "The Battle of the Cowshed".
It is celebrated annually with the firing of a gun, on the anniversary of the Revolution. Napoleon and Snowball vie for pre-eminence. When Snowball announces his plans to modernize the farm by building a windmill, Napoleon has his dogs chase Snowball away and declares himself leader. ...
عنوانها: قلعه (مزرعه) حیوانات - نویسنده: جورج اورول؛ (جامی،...) ادبیات انگلستان؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش متن نسخه انگلیسی: در سال 1975میلادی
مترجمها: بدون هیچ ترتیبی آنهایی را که یافتم چل و چهار نامدار را بنگاشتم؛ گویا باید در رکوردهای گینس ثبت شود
مترجم 01 - امیرامیرشاهی در 154ص؛
مترجم 02 - محمد فیروزبخت در 136ص؛
مترجم 03 - احسان واحدی در 133ص؛
مترجم 04 - رضا زارع در 120ص؛
مترجم 05 - علی گرانمایه در 152ص؛
مترجم 06 - سیروس نورآبادی و محسن موحدی زاد در 130ص؛
مترجم 07 - احمد کسایی پور در 171 ص؛ نشر ماهی 1394 در 147ص؛
مترجم 08 - مرضیه صدر در 108ص؛
مترجم 09 - نرگس حیدری منجیلی در 128ص؛
مترجم 10 - صالح حسینی و معصومه نبی زاده در 158ص؛
مترجم 11 - آزاده دادفر در 195ص؛
مترجم 12 - مریم صالحی در 127ص؛
مترجم 13 - شهاب حبیبی در 176ص؛
مترجم 14 - مجید نوریان در 78ص؛
مترجم 15 - همایون نوراحمر در 131ص؛
مترجم 16 - همایون بهشتی در 139ص؛
مترجم 17 - مرجان غیبی در 234ص؛
مترجم 18 - یولاند گوهرین در 160ص؛
مترجم 19 - غلامرضا صالحی معوا در 128ص؛
مترجم 20 - زهرا نوروزی در 117ص؛
مترجم 21 - زینت علیزاده در 128ص؛
مترجم 22 - بهروز غریب پور در 92ص؛
مترجم 23 - سمانه فلاح در 104ص؛
مترجم 24 - وحید کیان در 139ص؛
مترجم 25 - محمدرضا آخوندی و زهرا محمدی در 108ص؛
مترجم 26 - مریم رشتی زاده در 124ص؛
مترجم 27 - محمد هاشمی و سعید هاشمی در 112ص؛
مترجم 28 - حوریا موسایی در 126ص؛
مترجم 29 - منصوره چراغی در 126ص؛
مترجم 30 - مجتبی پایدار در 112ص؛
مترجم 31 - پژمان کوشش در 155ص؛
مترجم 32 - آوینا ترنم در 128 ص؛
مترجم 33 - حوراء وحیدی در 128 ص؛
مترجم 34 - ادریس باباخانی در 90 ص؛
مترجم 35 - مژگان احمدی در 120ص؛
مترجم 36 - حلیمه بیع آتی در 112ص؛
مترجم 37 - قدیر گلکاریان در 120ص؛
مترجم 38 - علی اصغر افرجی در 132ص؛
مترجم 39 - مهنوش جواهری در 141ص؛
مترجم 40 - علی جواهرکلام در 128ص؛
مترجم 41 - حجت امامی در 127ص؛
مترجم 42 - محمدعلی جدیری و صمد محمدی آسیابی در 111ص؛
مترجم 43 - حمیدرضا بلوچ در 127ص؛
مترجم 44 - احمد کسایی پور در 147ص؛
کتاب «مزرعه ی حیوانات»، یا «قلعه حیوانات»، رمانی پاد آرمانشهری، به زبان «انگلیسی»، و نوشته ای از جناب «جُرج اُروِل» است؛ ایشان این رمان را، در طول جنگ جهانی دوم بنوشته، و نخستین بار در سال 1945میلادی، در «انگلستان» منتشر کرده اند؛ «مزرعه ی حیوانات»، درباره ی گروهی از جانوران اهلی است، که در اقدامی آرمانگرایانه و انقلابی، صاحب مزرعه (آقای جونز) را، از مزرعه ی خویش فراری میدهند، تا خود اداره ی مزرعه را به دست گرفته، و «برابری» و «رفاه» را، در جامعه ی خود، برقرار سازند
رهبری این جنبش را، گروهی از «خوک»ها، در دست دارند، ولی پس از مدتی، این گروه انقلابی نیز، به رهبری خوکی به نام «ناپلئون»، همچون همان آقای «جونز»، به بهره کشی از حیوانات مزرعه میپردازند، و هرگونه مخالفتی را سرکوب میکنند؛ جناب «اورول»، با نگارش این رُمان، از استبداد طبقه ی حاکم «شوروی»، به سختی ناراضی، و باور داشتند نظام «شوروی» به یک دیکتاتوری بدل گشته، و بر پایه ی کیش شخصیت، بنا شده است؛ داستان، با توصیف شبی آغاز میشود، که خوکی به نام «میجر پیر»، حیوانات را گرد هم آورده، و از ستمی که انسان بر حیوانات روا داشته اند، برای آنان سخن میگوید، و حیوانات را، به شورش علیه انسانها دعوت میکند؛ وی سپس، یک سرود کهن را که پس از آن به سرودی انقلابی، در بین حیوانات مزرعه بدل میشود، به آنها یاد میدهد؛ پس از چندی، حیوانات در پی شورشی، مالک مزرعه، به نام آقای «جونز» را، از مزرعه بیرون کرده، و خود اداره ی آن را به دست میگیرند
پس از آن انقلاب حیوانی، خوکها (که از هوش بالاتری نسبت به سایر حیوانات برخوردار هستند) نقش رهبری حیوانات مزرعه را، به دست میگیرند؛ اما پس از چندی در بین خود حیوانات، یک سری توطئه، و کودتا انجام میگیرد؛ «ناپلئون» که یکی از دو خوک پرنفوذ مزرعه است، با استفاده از سگهای درنده ای که مخفیانه تربیت کرده؛ «سنوبال»، دیگر خوک پرنفوذ مزرعه را، فراری داده، و خود رهبر بلامنازع مزرعه میشود؛ پس از آن، «سنوبال» عامل «جونز» معرفی شده، و تمام رویدادهای بد، و خرابکاریهایی که در مزرعه صورت میگیرد، به وی یا عوامل او، در داخل مزرعه نسبت داده میشود؛ و به فرمان «ناپلئون» بسیاری از حیوانات، به جرم همکاری با «سنوبال»، توسط سگها اعدام میشوند
در ادامه ی داستان خوکها به تدریج همه ی قوانین حیوانات را زیر پا میگذارند؛ قانون اساسی حیوانات معروف به «هفت فرمان» به تدریج محو و تحریف میشود، خواندن سرود قدغن، و حیوانات با غذای روزانه ی کم، مجبور به کار بسیار میشوند؛ در حالیکه خوکها فرمانروایی میکنند، و غذای زیادی میخورند؛ و از تمام امکانات رفاهی سود میبرند؛ و حتی یاد میگیرند که چطور روی دوپا راه بروند، و با انسانها معامله کنند
از جمله برنامه های «ناپلئون»، ساخت «آسیاب بادی» است، که گویا برای بهبود کیفیت زندگی حیوانات ساخته میشود؛ نقشه ی نخستین آسیاب، توسط «سنوبال» طرحریزی شده بود، و در ابتدا «ناپلئون» به مخالفت با آن برمیخیزد، ولی با بیرون راندن «سنوبال»، ایده ی ساخت آن را پی میگیرد، اما به دلیل بی کفایتی «ناپلئون»، ساخت آن به شکل مطلوبی پیش نمیرود
در پایان، ساخته شدن آسیاب، که با فداکاریها و زجر و تحمل فراوان حیوانات مزرعه، امکانپذیر گردیده، نه تنها به بهبود وضعیت زندگی حیوانات منجر نمیشود، که خود به آسبابی برای بهره کشی بیشتر از حیوانات بدل میگردد و ...؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 19/05/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 03/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
September 28, 2023
Equality.
In the old Manor Farm, each animal puts their small effort to carry the farm forward; but when one day Mr. Jones farmer continuous abuse and neglect becomes unbearable, all the animals hold a special meeting to set a change. A revolutionary idea is born: Animals will govern themselves. Together they will bring a new age, where all animals are equal. But self-sufficiency and self-government carries heavy burdens, with small and big responsibilities for each animal; and soon small frictions begin to arise in the new haven.
Another all time-classic by the legendary Orwell. No half stars deducted this time. This was a flawless 5-star masterpiece, if not six; because achieving SO much in SO few pages, is beyond reckoning. A timeless allegorical novella so powerful that it’s certain to give you pause, and most likely remember it for the rest of your life. So crucial for the time it was written, and still more than relevant today, and for the future yet to come.
I remember being so wowed at the time I read this, my messed up country bearing so much resemblance to the events depicted in this book. It’s similarity still strong today, and not likely to change anytime soon. It’s a sad truth that some third world countries never managed to grow beyond their petty differences and troubled beginnings.
I SO wanted to know more regarding the future of the farm; but I understand why and how it ended the way it did. Such an unforgettable thought provoking story, with lovable and hateful characters , and so heartbreaking. A must read in life. Extremely Recommendable.
*** Animal Farm (1954) is the best adaptation I’ve seen so far, kinda old school by today standards but still an excellent cartoonish representation. Acceptable atmosphere, adequate pacing, and more than reasonably faithful to the book, if not completely. Yet, for some reason I couldn’t nearly enjoy it as much as the book, but can’t exactly pinpoint why; maybe the surprise was lost. A good film, just not great, for me.
*** Animal Farm (1999) is a somewhat controversial adaptation. Acceptable as a whole but far less faithful to the book, especially regarding the ending. A stellar voice casting including stars like Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus and Grammer, among others. The anthropomorphic representation with live animals giving it a certain unique touch the animated film didn’t have.
I think either of the two films is worth watching, the first one for its grim fidelity and the second one for its more upbeat tone. Still, if I had to choose the 1954 version overall seemed better to me, and more memorable.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1945] [128p] [Classics] [Extremely Recommendable] [“All animals are equal.”] ["Four legs good, two legs bad."]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★★ Animal Farm
★★★★☆ 1984
-----------------------------------------------
Igualdad.
En la vieja Granja Manor, cada animal pone su pequeño esfuerzo para que la granja salga adelante; pero cuando un día los continuos abusos y descuidos del Sr. Jones se vuelven insoportables, todos los animales arman una reunión especial para crear un cambio. Nace una idea revolucionaria: Los Animales se gobernarán a sí mismos. Juntos darán inicio a una nueva era, donde todos los animales sean iguales. Pero la autosuficiencia y el autogobierno plantea difíciles tareas, con pequeñas y grandes responsabilidades para cada animal; y pronto algunas fisuras empiezan a aparecer en el nuevo reino.
Otro clásico de todos los tiempos por el legendario Orwell. Ninguna media estrella deducida esta vez. Esta fue una impecable obra maestra de 5-estrellas, sino de seis; porque alcanzar TANTO en TAN pocas páginas, es más allá de inimaginable. Una atemporal novela corta alegórica tan poderosa que es certero que te va a producir un quiebre, y más que seguro para recordar por el resto de tu vida. Tan crucial para la época en que fue escrita, y todavía más que relevante para los tiempos actuales, y el futuro todavía por llegar.
Recuerdo haberme maravillado tanto el día que leí esto, mi tan desgraciado país teniendo tremendo parecido con los eventos reflejados en este libro. Su similitud todavía patente el día de hoy, y difícilmente sujeto a cambiar pronto. Es una triste verdad que algunos países del tercer mundo nunca lograron crecer más allá de sus mezquinas diferencias y problemáticos comienzos.
Realmente deseaba TANTO conocer más acerca del futuro de la granja; pero entiendo por qué y cómo terminó como lo hizo. Una historia tan inolvidable y provocadora, con entrañables y odiosos personajes , y tan devastadora. Una obligación de leer en la vida. Extremadamente Recomendable.
*** Rebelión en la Granja (1954) es la mejor adaptación que vi hasta ahora, un poco antigua para los estándares de hoy pero aun así una excelente representación animada. Atmósfera aceptable, ritmo adecuado, y más que razonablemente fiel al libro, sino completamente. Aun así, por alguna razón no lo pude disfrutar ni de cerca tanto como el libro, pero no podría precisar exactamente por qué; tal vez se perdió la sorpresa. Un buen filme, sólo que no genial, para mí.
*** Rebelión en la Granja (1999) es una algo controversial adaptación. Aceptable en su conjunto, pero mucho menos fiel al libro, especialmente con respecto al final. Un electo estelar de voces incluyendo estrellas como Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus y Grammer, entre otros. La representación antropomórfica con animales reales dándole un cierto toque único que película animada no tiene.
Creo vale la pena ver cualquiera de los dos filmes, el primero por su sombría fidelidad y el segundo por tu tono más alegre. Aunque si tuviera que elegir, creo que la versión de 1954 dentro de todo me pareció mejor, y más memorable.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1945] [128p] [Clásicos] [Extremadamente Recomendable] [“Todos los animales son iguales.”] ["Cuatro patas bien, dos patas mal."]
-----------------------------------------------
In the old Manor Farm, each animal puts their small effort to carry the farm forward; but when one day Mr. Jones farmer continuous abuse and neglect becomes unbearable, all the animals hold a special meeting to set a change. A revolutionary idea is born: Animals will govern themselves. Together they will bring a new age, where all animals are equal. But self-sufficiency and self-government carries heavy burdens, with small and big responsibilities for each animal; and soon small frictions begin to arise in the new haven.
Another all time-classic by the legendary Orwell. No half stars deducted this time. This was a flawless 5-star masterpiece, if not six; because achieving SO much in SO few pages, is beyond reckoning. A timeless allegorical novella so powerful that it’s certain to give you pause, and most likely remember it for the rest of your life. So crucial for the time it was written, and still more than relevant today, and for the future yet to come.
I remember being so wowed at the time I read this, my messed up country bearing so much resemblance to the events depicted in this book. It’s similarity still strong today, and not likely to change anytime soon. It’s a sad truth that some third world countries never managed to grow beyond their petty differences and troubled beginnings.
I SO wanted to know more regarding the future of the farm; but I understand why and how it ended the way it did. Such an unforgettable thought provoking story, with lovable and hateful characters , and so heartbreaking. A must read in life. Extremely Recommendable.
*** Animal Farm (1954) is the best adaptation I’ve seen so far, kinda old school by today standards but still an excellent cartoonish representation. Acceptable atmosphere, adequate pacing, and more than reasonably faithful to the book, if not completely. Yet, for some reason I couldn’t nearly enjoy it as much as the book, but can’t exactly pinpoint why; maybe the surprise was lost. A good film, just not great, for me.
*** Animal Farm (1999) is a somewhat controversial adaptation. Acceptable as a whole but far less faithful to the book, especially regarding the ending. A stellar voice casting including stars like Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus and Grammer, among others. The anthropomorphic representation with live animals giving it a certain unique touch the animated film didn’t have.
I think either of the two films is worth watching, the first one for its grim fidelity and the second one for its more upbeat tone. Still, if I had to choose the 1954 version overall seemed better to me, and more memorable.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1945] [128p] [Classics] [Extremely Recommendable] [“All animals are equal.”] ["Four legs good, two legs bad."]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★★ Animal Farm
★★★★☆ 1984
-----------------------------------------------
Igualdad.
En la vieja Granja Manor, cada animal pone su pequeño esfuerzo para que la granja salga adelante; pero cuando un día los continuos abusos y descuidos del Sr. Jones se vuelven insoportables, todos los animales arman una reunión especial para crear un cambio. Nace una idea revolucionaria: Los Animales se gobernarán a sí mismos. Juntos darán inicio a una nueva era, donde todos los animales sean iguales. Pero la autosuficiencia y el autogobierno plantea difíciles tareas, con pequeñas y grandes responsabilidades para cada animal; y pronto algunas fisuras empiezan a aparecer en el nuevo reino.
Otro clásico de todos los tiempos por el legendario Orwell. Ninguna media estrella deducida esta vez. Esta fue una impecable obra maestra de 5-estrellas, sino de seis; porque alcanzar TANTO en TAN pocas páginas, es más allá de inimaginable. Una atemporal novela corta alegórica tan poderosa que es certero que te va a producir un quiebre, y más que seguro para recordar por el resto de tu vida. Tan crucial para la época en que fue escrita, y todavía más que relevante para los tiempos actuales, y el futuro todavía por llegar.
Recuerdo haberme maravillado tanto el día que leí esto, mi tan desgraciado país teniendo tremendo parecido con los eventos reflejados en este libro. Su similitud todavía patente el día de hoy, y difícilmente sujeto a cambiar pronto. Es una triste verdad que algunos países del tercer mundo nunca lograron crecer más allá de sus mezquinas diferencias y problemáticos comienzos.
Realmente deseaba TANTO conocer más acerca del futuro de la granja; pero entiendo por qué y cómo terminó como lo hizo. Una historia tan inolvidable y provocadora, con entrañables y odiosos personajes , y tan devastadora. Una obligación de leer en la vida. Extremadamente Recomendable.
*** Rebelión en la Granja (1954) es la mejor adaptación que vi hasta ahora, un poco antigua para los estándares de hoy pero aun así una excelente representación animada. Atmósfera aceptable, ritmo adecuado, y más que razonablemente fiel al libro, sino completamente. Aun así, por alguna razón no lo pude disfrutar ni de cerca tanto como el libro, pero no podría precisar exactamente por qué; tal vez se perdió la sorpresa. Un buen filme, sólo que no genial, para mí.
*** Rebelión en la Granja (1999) es una algo controversial adaptación. Aceptable en su conjunto, pero mucho menos fiel al libro, especialmente con respecto al final. Un electo estelar de voces incluyendo estrellas como Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus y Grammer, entre otros. La representación antropomórfica con animales reales dándole un cierto toque único que película animada no tiene.
Creo vale la pena ver cualquiera de los dos filmes, el primero por su sombría fidelidad y el segundo por tu tono más alegre. Aunque si tuviera que elegir, creo que la versión de 1954 dentro de todo me pareció mejor, y más memorable.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1945] [128p] [Clásicos] [Extremadamente Recomendable] [“Todos los animales son iguales.”] ["Cuatro patas bien, dos patas mal."]
-----------------------------------------------
February 23, 2012
جورج أورويل عبقري بشكل مزعج. يكتب رواية أبطالها حيوانات في مزرعة ويخيل إليك بأن الأمر سيكون سخيفاً، أو شبيها بقصص الأطفال. على العكس، جورج أورويل نقل الواقع بكابوسيته، وجعل التاريخ أكثر قابلية للفهم، وشرح لنا باختصار كيف يمكن أن يتحول الإنسان إلى خنزير والخنزير إلى إنسان.
رواية جديرة بوقتك بالتأكيد.
Read
August 26, 2007Funnily enough, i read this book as a child and thought that it really WAS about animals. I remember thinking, Evil Pigs, I'm glad you're bacon in MY world, and Poor Hardworking Horsies, come live on my farm instead. You can have all the hay and makopa you want (sadly, no apples, tropical climate).
I reread it after education spoiled my natural inclinations for fast and absolute punishment of evildoers and eternal rewards for the good. I do find it pleasantly strange that these animals are symbols for political stereotypes and yet people still appear in the book. Isn't that CRAZY? That's literary perversion in a class all its own.
I'm thankful i read this in my formative years, before I had all this intellectual baggage (emphasis on baggage, piano on the intellect), because I got to appreciate it like a child would, almost like the way I appreciated Charlotte's Web. To me, back then, it was just another story about animals, albeit a wordy one, with no pictures.
Which is probably why I still experience a certain righteous thrill when eating crispy bacon.
I reread it after education spoiled my natural inclinations for fast and absolute punishment of evildoers and eternal rewards for the good. I do find it pleasantly strange that these animals are symbols for political stereotypes and yet people still appear in the book. Isn't that CRAZY? That's literary perversion in a class all its own.
I'm thankful i read this in my formative years, before I had all this intellectual baggage (emphasis on baggage, piano on the intellect), because I got to appreciate it like a child would, almost like the way I appreciated Charlotte's Web. To me, back then, it was just another story about animals, albeit a wordy one, with no pictures.
Which is probably why I still experience a certain righteous thrill when eating crispy bacon.
April 7, 2024
George Orwell's Animal Farm is undeniably one of the best short novels ever written in the English language. It is a deceptively simple tale, which even older children could read. About an animal uprising, it is written in the style of a fable, and yet it can be read on so many levels. It is clearly both a satire and an allegory, a dystopian tale, and its author George Orwell made no secret of what regime, and which politicians, he was so mercilessly parodying. Yet as with all great novels, it speaks to us today and holds many timeless truths. It is the sort of novel where a reader will find new depths in each rereading.
The inspiration for the novel came from a real-life episode. Orwell had just left the BBC, in 1943, and was uneasy about some propaganda he could see distributed by the then "Ministry of Information". He says,
"I saw a little boy, perhaps ten years old, driving a huge carthorse along a narrow path, whipping it whenever it tried to turn. It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the proletariat."
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm between November 1943 and February 1944, but the novel was not published straightaway, because of the USSR's status as an ally in the Second World War. George Orwell was a socialist writer, so the fact that he chose to do such a savage critique of the Soviet Union may come as a bit of a surprise to a present-day reader. One might have expected him to choose the far right, rather than the far left. But he personally felt that the Soviet Union (now Russia) of that time had itself become a brutal dictatorship, and that its original ideals had become perverted.
Animal Farm was subsequently published in England in 1945, just after the war, and ironically it quickly became a great commercial success when it did finally appear, partly because the Cold War so quickly followed the Second World War. However the book was immediately banned in the USSR and other communist countries. To this day it is still banned or censored in some places; the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, North Korea - and China, until almost the beginning of the 21st century.
In his story George Orwell chronicles the rising to power of Joseph Stalin, who is depicted by the pig "Napoleon" in the novel. The story parallels his emergence as a natural leader, and gradually follows his rise to power as a dictator. Near the beginning of the novel, the farm animals overthrow their oppressor, the farmer "Mr Jones". This is a direct analogy to the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917, when the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who had abdicated in February, was executed by the Bolsheviks along with the rest of his family, in July 1918. Interestingly, Orwell said the drunken farmer Jones, who neglects his animals, was based on the real life Tsar Nicholas II.
But their democratic coalition of animals, all with a vision of independence, comfort and freedom from constraints, is gradually broken down. There is straightaway a consolidation of power among the pigs, who do no work because they are the "brainworkers" with what is tacitly agreed as superior intelligence. Just as the Soviet intelligentsia did, the pigs establish themselves as the ruling class in the new "free" society. In Animal Farm they then immediately begin to manipulate and control the new state for their own benefit.
At the start of the novel, "Major" a middle white boar, has a dream, which he relates to all the animals, in a lengthy impassioned speech. It is a dream of the future, and of freedom for all creatures. It captures their imaginations, and inspires their actions from then on. Major is based on a combination of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Just as Lenin's embalmed body was put on display for the people, Major's principles provide the foundation for the code of the revolution and the philosophy of "Animalism".
The other main character at the start of the novel is the pig, "Snowball" who is based on Leon Trotsky. Just as in the Soviet Union, these two characters vie for power, with "Napoleon" using subterfuge and manipulation to his own ends. He arranges false confessions, show trials and executions to enforce his power, frequently changing history as the story unfolds. "Squealer" is a pig who works on behalf of Napoleon, employing various devious means to misrepresent and confuse the animals. He is apparently based on Molotov. Squealer speechifies, using elaborate philosophical ideas which the animals cannot really follow, often using the Socratic dialogue to get the answer he desires. And this is always used to justify the pigs' greedy and unprincipled behaviour; anything which is self-serving and goes against the original ideas of fairness. George Orwell is keen to show the corruption of "Animalist" ideals by those in power, not that the ideals themselves were wrongly held. In 1947, George Orwell wrote,
"For the past ten years I have been convinced that the destruction of the Soviet myth was essential if we wanted a revival of the socialist movement ... I thought of exposing the Soviet myth in a story that could be easily understood by almost anyone and which could be easily translated into other languages."
For instance, Squealer works on the animals so that they accept a slogan which is almost the direct opposite of its original, "Four legs good, two legs bad" becomes "Four legs good, two legs better" overnight, as bleated by the impressionable, keen to follow, sheep. The reason for this is clear from the story. And "Snowball" (based on Trotsky) is by a malicious comrade eager to dominate, using any violent means available to achieve his ends. Nobody knows who they can trust any more.
The irony is at its highest in the depiction of corruption; the tyranny and hypocrisy of the pigs as led by Napoleon. The food rations get increasingly smaller, yet it is "proved" to them that they are all much better off than they were formerly under Farmer Jones. The animals' ideology of liberation and equality gradually disintegrates. The rules change secretly, slowly and silently, so nobody is sure what is really the truth any longer. History is rewritten; memories become unreliable; the brainwashing is slow and subtle. The animals can read, but there is little documentation, except for seven commandments, painted on the barn wall,
Yet over time, each of these is amended, to the advantage of the pigs, until in the end there are no words showing at all, and the final famously nonsensical maxim is spouted without question,
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
The novel is a dual critique against the Stalinist regime of violence, but also against the imposed rhetoric, against the language employed, logic and ideals.
Another character indicated by George Orwell is his depiction of Adolf Hitler, as one of the farmers, "Mr Frederick", who wants to take over the renamed "Animal Farm". But there are many minor characters whom we all recognise in our own lives. Take the cat, who votes for both sides at the same time. Who has never come across a "two-faced" person? Or the pony "Mollie", the stereotypically vain and lazy original Essex girl, with her penchant for wearing ribbons in her hair and looking at herself in a mirror, regardless of any greater good which may come about by a little hard work. The story of the carthorse "Boxer" will break your heart. His courage, his steadfastness; with his personal motto, "I will work harder!" he is the archetypal salt of the earth. But he is naïve and gullible, and the reader fears that he will be taken advantage of to a devastating conclusion. You will cry, internally at least, but you will also laugh with this book. Here is an extract from the pompous poet pig, Minimus's, eulogy about Napoleon.
"Friend of the fatherless!
Fountain of happiness!
Lord of the swill-bucket!"
The conclusion of the book is predictable, but perhaps not in quite the simple way the reader expects. Yes, the oppressees become the oppressors, but in a fiendishly clever denouement.
All the political manipulations of the novel are recognisable today. Wherever you live, you will not have to look very close from home to find such a regime. And also, the brilliance of this novel is that those characteristics of scheming, dishonesty, cynicism, and underhanded ways of achieving a particular end, are not confined to politics. Who has never watched a skilled manipulator diverting attention from one major problem by concentrating on a minor one? It may have been in politics - or it may have been in a committee meeting - or even, dare it be said, around your own dinner table. Large or small scale, these observations by George Orwell are, sadly, truths about the human condition and human behaviour. They are timeless, and present in any institution, cooperation, business, family - in fact any group of people. One critic has even suggested that Orwell has put himself in the novels as Benjamin, the donkey, a wise old creature who is the only one who pessimistically repeats, "Life will go on as it has always gone on - that is, badly."
Have you actually read Animal Farm? No? Then please do. You read it years ago? Then try reading it again. It is an outstanding novel, with the hallmarks of a true classic; it is both entertaining and profound.
The inspiration for the novel came from a real-life episode. Orwell had just left the BBC, in 1943, and was uneasy about some propaganda he could see distributed by the then "Ministry of Information". He says,
"I saw a little boy, perhaps ten years old, driving a huge carthorse along a narrow path, whipping it whenever it tried to turn. It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the proletariat."
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm between November 1943 and February 1944, but the novel was not published straightaway, because of the USSR's status as an ally in the Second World War. George Orwell was a socialist writer, so the fact that he chose to do such a savage critique of the Soviet Union may come as a bit of a surprise to a present-day reader. One might have expected him to choose the far right, rather than the far left. But he personally felt that the Soviet Union (now Russia) of that time had itself become a brutal dictatorship, and that its original ideals had become perverted.
Animal Farm was subsequently published in England in 1945, just after the war, and ironically it quickly became a great commercial success when it did finally appear, partly because the Cold War so quickly followed the Second World War. However the book was immediately banned in the USSR and other communist countries. To this day it is still banned or censored in some places; the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, North Korea - and China, until almost the beginning of the 21st century.
In his story George Orwell chronicles the rising to power of Joseph Stalin, who is depicted by the pig "Napoleon" in the novel. The story parallels his emergence as a natural leader, and gradually follows his rise to power as a dictator. Near the beginning of the novel, the farm animals overthrow their oppressor, the farmer "Mr Jones". This is a direct analogy to the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917, when the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who had abdicated in February, was executed by the Bolsheviks along with the rest of his family, in July 1918. Interestingly, Orwell said the drunken farmer Jones, who neglects his animals, was based on the real life Tsar Nicholas II.
But their democratic coalition of animals, all with a vision of independence, comfort and freedom from constraints, is gradually broken down. There is straightaway a consolidation of power among the pigs, who do no work because they are the "brainworkers" with what is tacitly agreed as superior intelligence. Just as the Soviet intelligentsia did, the pigs establish themselves as the ruling class in the new "free" society. In Animal Farm they then immediately begin to manipulate and control the new state for their own benefit.
At the start of the novel, "Major" a middle white boar, has a dream, which he relates to all the animals, in a lengthy impassioned speech. It is a dream of the future, and of freedom for all creatures. It captures their imaginations, and inspires their actions from then on. Major is based on a combination of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Just as Lenin's embalmed body was put on display for the people, Major's principles provide the foundation for the code of the revolution and the philosophy of "Animalism".
The other main character at the start of the novel is the pig, "Snowball" who is based on Leon Trotsky. Just as in the Soviet Union, these two characters vie for power, with "Napoleon" using subterfuge and manipulation to his own ends. He arranges false confessions, show trials and executions to enforce his power, frequently changing history as the story unfolds. "Squealer" is a pig who works on behalf of Napoleon, employing various devious means to misrepresent and confuse the animals. He is apparently based on Molotov. Squealer speechifies, using elaborate philosophical ideas which the animals cannot really follow, often using the Socratic dialogue to get the answer he desires. And this is always used to justify the pigs' greedy and unprincipled behaviour; anything which is self-serving and goes against the original ideas of fairness. George Orwell is keen to show the corruption of "Animalist" ideals by those in power, not that the ideals themselves were wrongly held. In 1947, George Orwell wrote,
"For the past ten years I have been convinced that the destruction of the Soviet myth was essential if we wanted a revival of the socialist movement ... I thought of exposing the Soviet myth in a story that could be easily understood by almost anyone and which could be easily translated into other languages."
For instance, Squealer works on the animals so that they accept a slogan which is almost the direct opposite of its original, "Four legs good, two legs bad" becomes "Four legs good, two legs better" overnight, as bleated by the impressionable, keen to follow, sheep. The reason for this is clear from the story. And "Snowball" (based on Trotsky) is by a malicious comrade eager to dominate, using any violent means available to achieve his ends. Nobody knows who they can trust any more.
The irony is at its highest in the depiction of corruption; the tyranny and hypocrisy of the pigs as led by Napoleon. The food rations get increasingly smaller, yet it is "proved" to them that they are all much better off than they were formerly under Farmer Jones. The animals' ideology of liberation and equality gradually disintegrates. The rules change secretly, slowly and silently, so nobody is sure what is really the truth any longer. History is rewritten; memories become unreliable; the brainwashing is slow and subtle. The animals can read, but there is little documentation, except for seven commandments, painted on the barn wall,
Yet over time, each of these is amended, to the advantage of the pigs, until in the end there are no words showing at all, and the final famously nonsensical maxim is spouted without question,
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
The novel is a dual critique against the Stalinist regime of violence, but also against the imposed rhetoric, against the language employed, logic and ideals.
Another character indicated by George Orwell is his depiction of Adolf Hitler, as one of the farmers, "Mr Frederick", who wants to take over the renamed "Animal Farm". But there are many minor characters whom we all recognise in our own lives. Take the cat, who votes for both sides at the same time. Who has never come across a "two-faced" person? Or the pony "Mollie", the stereotypically vain and lazy original Essex girl, with her penchant for wearing ribbons in her hair and looking at herself in a mirror, regardless of any greater good which may come about by a little hard work. The story of the carthorse "Boxer" will break your heart. His courage, his steadfastness; with his personal motto, "I will work harder!" he is the archetypal salt of the earth. But he is naïve and gullible, and the reader fears that he will be taken advantage of to a devastating conclusion. You will cry, internally at least, but you will also laugh with this book. Here is an extract from the pompous poet pig, Minimus's, eulogy about Napoleon.
"Friend of the fatherless!
Fountain of happiness!
Lord of the swill-bucket!"
The conclusion of the book is predictable, but perhaps not in quite the simple way the reader expects. Yes, the oppressees become the oppressors, but in a fiendishly clever denouement.
All the political manipulations of the novel are recognisable today. Wherever you live, you will not have to look very close from home to find such a regime. And also, the brilliance of this novel is that those characteristics of scheming, dishonesty, cynicism, and underhanded ways of achieving a particular end, are not confined to politics. Who has never watched a skilled manipulator diverting attention from one major problem by concentrating on a minor one? It may have been in politics - or it may have been in a committee meeting - or even, dare it be said, around your own dinner table. Large or small scale, these observations by George Orwell are, sadly, truths about the human condition and human behaviour. They are timeless, and present in any institution, cooperation, business, family - in fact any group of people. One critic has even suggested that Orwell has put himself in the novels as Benjamin, the donkey, a wise old creature who is the only one who pessimistically repeats, "Life will go on as it has always gone on - that is, badly."
Have you actually read Animal Farm? No? Then please do. You read it years ago? Then try reading it again. It is an outstanding novel, with the hallmarks of a true classic; it is both entertaining and profound.
February 18, 2020
Update after my February 2020 Re-read
A lot has happened in the world since I read this in high school in the mid-1990s. The book is as interesting and powerful as I remember. However, I think having an adult perspective on life, government, laws, taxes, rights, etc. makes this a much more powerful for me now than it was when I was a teenager.
One of the great things about this book, too, is that it is not very long. I think that morality tales with political undertones can be daunting if you know you are dealing with a 300-page book. This tells a strong tale in 125 pages or so that is easy to read but difficult to swallow. An allegory that is a must read for all!
I will also say that this book has an ending that I remember as being “wow, but not super shocking” as a teenager. Now, it is absolutely terrifying – it gave me chills!
Original review
One of the best - no doubt! So much symbolism and meaning crammed into such a small book. Also, a great use of anthropomorphism (I just wanted to use a big, fancy sounding word!)
Review wise, that is about all I need to say - it is great, read it!
But, I will add this anecdote . . .
I read this when I was in High School as required reading. Most required reading books were long and not all that exciting (I am looking at you, Jane Eyre!) But, this one was so good that I couldn't put it down. And, since it is so short, I read it in one night. Well, the teacher had assigned chapters and asked us not to read ahead. Still hard to believe I got in trouble for reading too much of a required reading book!
A lot has happened in the world since I read this in high school in the mid-1990s. The book is as interesting and powerful as I remember. However, I think having an adult perspective on life, government, laws, taxes, rights, etc. makes this a much more powerful for me now than it was when I was a teenager.
One of the great things about this book, too, is that it is not very long. I think that morality tales with political undertones can be daunting if you know you are dealing with a 300-page book. This tells a strong tale in 125 pages or so that is easy to read but difficult to swallow. An allegory that is a must read for all!
I will also say that this book has an ending that I remember as being “wow, but not super shocking” as a teenager. Now, it is absolutely terrifying – it gave me chills!
Original review
One of the best - no doubt! So much symbolism and meaning crammed into such a small book. Also, a great use of anthropomorphism (I just wanted to use a big, fancy sounding word!)
Review wise, that is about all I need to say - it is great, read it!
But, I will add this anecdote . . .
I read this when I was in High School as required reading. Most required reading books were long and not all that exciting (I am looking at you, Jane Eyre!) But, this one was so good that I couldn't put it down. And, since it is so short, I read it in one night. Well, the teacher had assigned chapters and asked us not to read ahead. Still hard to believe I got in trouble for reading too much of a required reading book!
September 8, 2021
في مزرعة الحيوان .. يهان المرء أو يهان :
إذا أكملت قراءة الرواية احذر، لا ترفع رأسك عاليًا لتنظر، لأنّك إن نظرت اكتشفت، وإذا اكتشفت فهمت، وإذا فهمت سجنت أو كمّمت أو رضيت، وإذا رضيت اقتنيت أو سكت، فإذا سكت فاجلس ساكنا قرب أبواب الصّمت، وأمّا إذا اقتنيت فالطبلة سعرها رخيص وفي المتناول، فاقتنها واجلس لتطبّل، ولا تخجل وإيّاك أن تستحي، ففن التطبيل فنٌ عريق عراقة الإستبداد والطغيان، والتّطبيل أشكال وألوان، فاختر لونك بإمعان.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. واقع أم تخيلات ؟ :
وأنت تقرأ هذه الرواية ذات الأحداث المتخيلة، ستقرأ جملا تعرفها، فتنبثق أمامك معان تعرفها، وكيف لا تعرفها وأنت تعيشها ( تغيير دستور، خلق قوانين جديدة، استبداد وطغيان، تزييف للتاريخ وتغيير للحقائق، جمل متكررة ومهترئة لتنويم الجماهير، تخوين البعض وتأليه للبعض الآخر ) فيتسرب الشكّ إلى عقلك .. أأنا أقرأ الرواية ؟ أم أعيش الرواية ؟ هل أنا هنا أم هناك ؟ أم إنّ هنا وهناك متشابهان أو ربّما متطابقان ؟
فتدرك أن ما كتب في الماضي ليس بالضرورة متعلقا بأحداث الماضي، وأنّ الأساس في الرواية هو فكرة تحويل الثورة من وسيلة نحو الحريّة والتّحرر إلى أداة قمع واستبداد، وهذا أمر يحدث في العالم كلّه مهما اختلف الزمان، ونحن العرب نعرفه حقّ المعرفة.
في مزرعة الحيوان .. من هو الخنزير ومن هو الإنسان ؟ :
وكان أثنى عشر صوتا يصرخ في غضب، وكلها متشابهة. لا حاجة للسؤال الآن، عمّا قد يحدث لوجوه الخنازير. وتتطلع الكائنات في الخارج إليهم من خنزير إلى إنسان، ومن إنسان إلى خنزير، ثم من خنزير إلى إنسان، ولكن أصبح من المستحيل القول من هو الإنسان ومن هو الخنزير. نعم يصبح التّفريق بين الخنزير والإنسان أمرا صعبا يصل إلى حد إستحالة فعل ذلك، فالإنسان كائن مكرم ولكن تصرفاته اتجاه أخيه الإنسان قد تضعه في مرتبة أدنى من الحيوان.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. إسقاطات ونبوءات :
هل مصير كلّ ثورة هو الزوال والإندثار ؟
لقد لخّص لنا الكاتب فكرة الثورة .. وضع سيء يدفع نحو التّمرد، التمرد تتبعه ثورة، الثورة في بدايتها استجابة طبيعية دون حسابات شخصية، مع وصول الثورة أو اقترابها من النهاية يظهر على السطح أشخاص رأوا وشاهدوا إمكانية النّجاح فاستغلوا ذلك ليقودوا الثّورة وهي في رمقها الأخير، فيزيفوا ويغيروا ويخدعوا ويمكروا، وفي النّهاية يمسكون بزمام الأمور ليقودوا الآخرين نحو أوضاع قد تكون أسوأ من الوضع الذي ثاروا عليه. فتدفن الآمال والأحلام تحت تراكمات الكذب والتزييف، وتحكم الشعارات، وتغتال الطموحات.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. عن الرواية والمراجعة :
الرواية تقرأ وربما تقرأ مرة ثانية، مليئة بالرمزية نعم، قد تبدوا للبعض طفولية نوعا ما، ولكن تستحقّ القراءة بكل تأكيد. أمّا المراجعة فلا تستحقّ القراءة بكل تأكيد فهذا النوع من الروايات لا يستحق مراجعات بل قراءات وتأملات.
إذا أكملت قراءة الرواية احذر، لا ترفع رأسك عاليًا لتنظر، لأنّك إن نظرت اكتشفت، وإذا اكتشفت فهمت، وإذا فهمت سجنت أو كمّمت أو رضيت، وإذا رضيت اقتنيت أو سكت، فإذا سكت فاجلس ساكنا قرب أبواب الصّمت، وأمّا إذا اقتنيت فالطبلة سعرها رخيص وفي المتناول، فاقتنها واجلس لتطبّل، ولا تخجل وإيّاك أن تستحي، ففن التطبيل فنٌ عريق عراقة الإستبداد والطغيان، والتّطبيل أشكال وألوان، فاختر لونك بإمعان.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. واقع أم تخيلات ؟ :
وأنت تقرأ هذه الرواية ذات الأحداث المتخيلة، ستقرأ جملا تعرفها، فتنبثق أمامك معان تعرفها، وكيف لا تعرفها وأنت تعيشها ( تغيير دستور، خلق قوانين جديدة، استبداد وطغيان، تزييف للتاريخ وتغيير للحقائق، جمل متكررة ومهترئة لتنويم الجماهير، تخوين البعض وتأليه للبعض الآخر ) فيتسرب الشكّ إلى عقلك .. أأنا أقرأ الرواية ؟ أم أعيش الرواية ؟ هل أنا هنا أم هناك ؟ أم إنّ هنا وهناك متشابهان أو ربّما متطابقان ؟
فتدرك أن ما كتب في الماضي ليس بالضرورة متعلقا بأحداث الماضي، وأنّ الأساس في الرواية هو فكرة تحويل الثورة من وسيلة نحو الحريّة والتّحرر إلى أداة قمع واستبداد، وهذا أمر يحدث في العالم كلّه مهما اختلف الزمان، ونحن العرب نعرفه حقّ المعرفة.
في مزرعة الحيوان .. من هو الخنزير ومن هو الإنسان ؟ :
وكان أثنى عشر صوتا يصرخ في غضب، وكلها متشابهة. لا حاجة للسؤال الآن، عمّا قد يحدث لوجوه الخنازير. وتتطلع الكائنات في الخارج إليهم من خنزير إلى إنسان، ومن إنسان إلى خنزير، ثم من خنزير إلى إنسان، ولكن أصبح من المستحيل القول من هو الإنسان ومن هو الخنزير. نعم يصبح التّفريق بين الخنزير والإنسان أمرا صعبا يصل إلى حد إستحالة فعل ذلك، فالإنسان كائن مكرم ولكن تصرفاته اتجاه أخيه الإنسان قد تضعه في مرتبة أدنى من الحيوان.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. إسقاطات ونبوءات :
هل مصير كلّ ثورة هو الزوال والإندثار ؟
لقد لخّص لنا الكاتب فكرة الثورة .. وضع سيء يدفع نحو التّمرد، التمرد تتبعه ثورة، الثورة في بدايتها استجابة طبيعية دون حسابات شخصية، مع وصول الثورة أو اقترابها من النهاية يظهر على السطح أشخاص رأوا وشاهدوا إمكانية النّجاح فاستغلوا ذلك ليقودوا الثّورة وهي في رمقها الأخير، فيزيفوا ويغيروا ويخدعوا ويمكروا، وفي النّهاية يمسكون بزمام الأمور ليقودوا الآخرين نحو أوضاع قد تكون أسوأ من الوضع الذي ثاروا عليه. فتدفن الآمال والأحلام تحت تراكمات الكذب والتزييف، وتحكم الشعارات، وتغتال الطموحات.
في مزرعة الحيوانات .. عن الرواية والمراجعة :
الرواية تقرأ وربما تقرأ مرة ثانية، مليئة بالرمزية نعم، قد تبدوا للبعض طفولية نوعا ما، ولكن تستحقّ القراءة بكل تأكيد. أمّا المراجعة فلا تستحقّ القراءة بكل تأكيد فهذا النوع من الروايات لا يستحق مراجعات بل قراءات وتأملات.
October 26, 2022
i'm sure this book was very good when it came out in 19whatever (i could check this but warning - i am going to spend this review being as annoying as possible to a certain group), but it's way, way better now.
in whatever time of the 20th century this came out during, this was thought to be written in opposition to stalinist russia. that's fine. whatever. not exactly a hot take for a white guy from the western world to be anti-USSR.
but now...now it's abundantly clear.
if it weren't already obvious that this book is written about how bad totalitarianism is (as opposed to being specifically about communism), take a look at the world around us, then check it against orwell's political views, then come back to me.
a certain political faction (of evil morons) in my certain country i live in (take a wild guess) likes to call certain things (the ones that are against them) "orwellian."
nonwhite people entering your country? orwellian. having to be nice to others and not call them slurs? orwellian. the idea of people not appreciating your opinions and thereby being "anti-free speech" (even though that is not what free speech is)? orwellian.
ignoring the fact that the very idea of their using the word orwellian to serve their purposes is far more, well, orwellian, i'll just come out and say it: because people on the right don't know how to read, they haven't ever actually really thought about or analyzed either this or 1984. so they assume that george orwell is on their side - the pro-rich getting richer and anti-poor not being poor side.
but, my dear conservative friends, orwell was an outspoken democratic socialist from top to bottom.
so maybe pick one of the copious number of far-right classic authors to support your dumbass point.
oh? there aren't really any to be found?
bummer. maybe next millennium.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago and either make myself or others angry
in whatever time of the 20th century this came out during, this was thought to be written in opposition to stalinist russia. that's fine. whatever. not exactly a hot take for a white guy from the western world to be anti-USSR.
but now...now it's abundantly clear.
if it weren't already obvious that this book is written about how bad totalitarianism is (as opposed to being specifically about communism), take a look at the world around us, then check it against orwell's political views, then come back to me.
a certain political faction (of evil morons) in my certain country i live in (take a wild guess) likes to call certain things (the ones that are against them) "orwellian."
nonwhite people entering your country? orwellian. having to be nice to others and not call them slurs? orwellian. the idea of people not appreciating your opinions and thereby being "anti-free speech" (even though that is not what free speech is)? orwellian.
ignoring the fact that the very idea of their using the word orwellian to serve their purposes is far more, well, orwellian, i'll just come out and say it: because people on the right don't know how to read, they haven't ever actually really thought about or analyzed either this or 1984. so they assume that george orwell is on their side - the pro-rich getting richer and anti-poor not being poor side.
but, my dear conservative friends, orwell was an outspoken democratic socialist from top to bottom.
so maybe pick one of the copious number of far-right classic authors to support your dumbass point.
oh? there aren't really any to be found?
bummer. maybe next millennium.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago and either make myself or others angry
July 15, 2021
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The animals of a farm, tired of the continuous abuses of human beings, decide to rebel. And after chasing the owner, they try to create a new order based on an ideological concept of equality. It looks like a fairy tale, but it's not to entertain the little ones. Mainly, Orwell explored a historical fact through this story.
The animals of a farm, tired of the continuous abuses of human beings, decide to rebel. And after chasing the owner, they try to create a new order based on an ideological concept of equality. It looks like a fairy tale, but it's not to entertain the little ones. Mainly, Orwell explored a historical fact through this story.
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
April 8, 2024
I revisited Animal Farm recently and my opinions remain the same.
George Orwell leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. This is a blatant political statement. There’s no reading between the lines in order to ascertain the meaning, it’s all here on the page. After around page twenty it was very obvious how this book would end. History repeats itself and in this case it goes full circle. Nothing changes. And a wise old Donkey was the only one in the piece aware of this. We can presume he has seen it before, though, on a character level he was a bit of an ass not to tell anybody what was coming. See what I did there? I’m good. I know.
The problem I had with Animal Farm is that I could not engage with it. The characters aren’t really characters. The setting isn’t really a setting. And the plot isn’t really a plot. They are all mere devices, a means for Orwell to blurt out his political statement. The entire book is one big author filibuster, an entire situation and a group of characters created for the simple reason of showing Orwell’s opposition to communism and, more specifically, the Stalin regime. It’s cleverly written, and it is funny at times, but such direct authorial intention took something away from the reading experience. I couldn’t lose myself within the writing.
The pigs were used as an insult to mankind. Their leader Napoleon (aptly named?) slowly distances the pigs from the animals of the revolution. They begin to take on the traits of humans, and after a few chapters they have set themselves up as the thing they originally usurped. They become corrupt and driven by money and profit. They’re above their peers, ultimately, destroying their own aims. By doing this Orwell is calling humans pigs; he is calling post-revolutionaries pigs. For me reading this, this was more of an insult to pigs than humans. Pigs are lovely animals. (Nicer than humans?) The metaphor certainly relies much on the reader’s interpretation of what a pig is.
That’s me just being pedantic and silly, but I guess I just like pigs. And I feel like I’ve read Animal Farm before. I feel like I know this story, and that’s because it is the history of mankind; it is the history of revolution. So, needless to say, Orwell has captured a large sense of this on the page. When it has been read, it is definitely something that cannot be unread. The allegory is pertinent and, in a sense, an almost pessimistic truism, though the inner romantic in me finds such a defeatist attitude, well, defeating.
It’s undoubtedly very intelligent writing, but I just didn’t enjoy it. When I read literature, whether it be poetry, play or novel, I like imagining things; I like coming up with my own interpretation, meaning, or criticisms. With this, Orwell has said it all. I feel like I didn’t need to read it, a plot summary would have given me everything the writing did.
- This is the first book I read on my 2017 reading challenge, I hope I enjoy the others more!
George Orwell leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. This is a blatant political statement. There’s no reading between the lines in order to ascertain the meaning, it’s all here on the page. After around page twenty it was very obvious how this book would end. History repeats itself and in this case it goes full circle. Nothing changes. And a wise old Donkey was the only one in the piece aware of this. We can presume he has seen it before, though, on a character level he was a bit of an ass not to tell anybody what was coming. See what I did there? I’m good. I know.
The problem I had with Animal Farm is that I could not engage with it. The characters aren’t really characters. The setting isn’t really a setting. And the plot isn’t really a plot. They are all mere devices, a means for Orwell to blurt out his political statement. The entire book is one big author filibuster, an entire situation and a group of characters created for the simple reason of showing Orwell’s opposition to communism and, more specifically, the Stalin regime. It’s cleverly written, and it is funny at times, but such direct authorial intention took something away from the reading experience. I couldn’t lose myself within the writing.
The pigs were used as an insult to mankind. Their leader Napoleon (aptly named?) slowly distances the pigs from the animals of the revolution. They begin to take on the traits of humans, and after a few chapters they have set themselves up as the thing they originally usurped. They become corrupt and driven by money and profit. They’re above their peers, ultimately, destroying their own aims. By doing this Orwell is calling humans pigs; he is calling post-revolutionaries pigs. For me reading this, this was more of an insult to pigs than humans. Pigs are lovely animals. (Nicer than humans?) The metaphor certainly relies much on the reader’s interpretation of what a pig is.
That’s me just being pedantic and silly, but I guess I just like pigs. And I feel like I’ve read Animal Farm before. I feel like I know this story, and that’s because it is the history of mankind; it is the history of revolution. So, needless to say, Orwell has captured a large sense of this on the page. When it has been read, it is definitely something that cannot be unread. The allegory is pertinent and, in a sense, an almost pessimistic truism, though the inner romantic in me finds such a defeatist attitude, well, defeating.
It’s undoubtedly very intelligent writing, but I just didn’t enjoy it. When I read literature, whether it be poetry, play or novel, I like imagining things; I like coming up with my own interpretation, meaning, or criticisms. With this, Orwell has said it all. I feel like I didn’t need to read it, a plot summary would have given me everything the writing did.
- This is the first book I read on my 2017 reading challenge, I hope I enjoy the others more!
September 17, 2022
“Animal Farm” is a hilarious polemic, anthropomorphic, allegorical novel on the 1917 Russian revolution, but is very much perpetually applicable to the past, current and future political state-of-affairs! It is emblematic of rebellion against dictators and totalitarianism!
It is a story of the Farmer Jones’ animals rising up in rebellion, tired of exploitation, to take over the “Manor Farm”, to build a fairer society for themselves. There are stark similarities between politicians and animal leaders. Power and use of language for controlling minds, has been astutely demonstrated in this novel, by George Orwell. Being a short-fabled fairy-like animal entertainer, it doesn’t render itself into a boring political study for a tad!
A satirical comedy on the inextricability of power and corruption, and their insidious effect on the common public! The corruption of the pigs metaphorically demonstrates the yielding of the politicians (in any age or era) for gaining power and control. The skilful use of peer pressure by pigs to keep the rest of the animals subservient, is analogous to modern-day plight of students and corporate employees!
The story begins with the 12-yr old Major(boar), revealing his dream to his comrades(other animals at farm), about the future rebellion of animals against men, and teaching all a song-“Beasts Of England”.
He clarifies to all – "All men are enemies. All animals are comrades."
Soon Major dies, Snowball and Napoleon, take the lead! One fine evening, the animals drive away Mr. Jones (farm owner), and rename the farm – “Animal Farm”.
The 7 commandments are inscribed, on the tarred wall with great white letters-
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.
Since most of the animals cannot learn to read or to memorize the seven commandments, the commandments are reduced to one simple maxim: “Four legs good, two legs bad.”
Mr. Jones tries to recapture the farm, but Snowball successfully defends it. Mollie, the horse, who is seen consorting with the humans, is confronted, and finally leaves the rebellion and the Farm!
The humans despise the burgeoning of the Animal Farm!
But things don’t remain hunky-dory, and we see the rebellion being betrayed, the farm getting dilapidated again, all under the dictatorship of one of their leaders! (avoiding spoilers)
Animal Farm is a fun ride, as it teaches the intertwinement and inextricability of power and corruption in the most amusingly creative way, which remains applicable to current age and aeons to come!
A fun-filled 5 stars!!
January 11, 2018
This book is featured on Shabby Sunday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
I read Animal Farm when I was in college and it was one of those reads where you think it’s going to be boring, but it turns out to be a favorite. It’s an allegorical tale representing the Russian Revolution where the characters in the book represent people during this time.
I won’t go into the plot too much, but in a nutshell, this story is about a group of farm animals who rise up against the evil farmer who cares for them. They basically take over the farm by cause of Old Major (Marx/Lenen), the pig all about change. He get’s all the animals together into an uprising against Mr. Jones, the farmer (Tsar Nicholas II). The animal characters then run the farm themselves and develop their own hierarchy being lead by Snowball (Trotsky) and Napoleon (Stalin). In a way, the story reminds me of an Aesop’s Fable because the animal characters in the book have human characteristics and there are morals and messages that are quite obvious. Young readers can read it and they won’t pick up on the meaning–they’ll just think it’s a story about a group of rebellious farm animals against humans, but I believe the message that Orwell wanted to express is that power corrupts. Also that people need to think for themselves, educate yourself and make your own decisions. Don’t let others think for you.
Someone recently asked me who my favorite character was in the book which is a really difficult question to ask, in my opinion. I liked a handful of the characters including Boxer, Snowball, Benjamin, and Clover, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be Snowball. Snowball’s ideas were in the best interests of the animals and he was always fair. He wanted to educate the other animals and make life easier for them. He was intelligent, brave, and stood up for his beliefs which is why he’s my favorite character in the book.
I’m not sure exactly how old my edition of Animal Farm is because no publication date is given, however, Goodreads seems to have this Signet Classic published in 1956. This thin paperback is in great shape for it’s age with clean, crisp pages.
My rating on this one is 5*****
I read Animal Farm when I was in college and it was one of those reads where you think it’s going to be boring, but it turns out to be a favorite. It’s an allegorical tale representing the Russian Revolution where the characters in the book represent people during this time.
I won’t go into the plot too much, but in a nutshell, this story is about a group of farm animals who rise up against the evil farmer who cares for them. They basically take over the farm by cause of Old Major (Marx/Lenen), the pig all about change. He get’s all the animals together into an uprising against Mr. Jones, the farmer (Tsar Nicholas II). The animal characters then run the farm themselves and develop their own hierarchy being lead by Snowball (Trotsky) and Napoleon (Stalin). In a way, the story reminds me of an Aesop’s Fable because the animal characters in the book have human characteristics and there are morals and messages that are quite obvious. Young readers can read it and they won’t pick up on the meaning–they’ll just think it’s a story about a group of rebellious farm animals against humans, but I believe the message that Orwell wanted to express is that power corrupts. Also that people need to think for themselves, educate yourself and make your own decisions. Don’t let others think for you.
Someone recently asked me who my favorite character was in the book which is a really difficult question to ask, in my opinion. I liked a handful of the characters including Boxer, Snowball, Benjamin, and Clover, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be Snowball. Snowball’s ideas were in the best interests of the animals and he was always fair. He wanted to educate the other animals and make life easier for them. He was intelligent, brave, and stood up for his beliefs which is why he’s my favorite character in the book.
I’m not sure exactly how old my edition of Animal Farm is because no publication date is given, however, Goodreads seems to have this Signet Classic published in 1956. This thin paperback is in great shape for it’s age with clean, crisp pages.
My rating on this one is 5*****
April 25, 2022
يمكن لنا أن نقول أن روايتي مزرعة الحيوان وأولاد حارتنا
هما أعظم روايتان رمزيتان مباشرتان كتبتا في القرن الفائت
فكلاهما لا يخفي من نفس المؤلف شيئا
وكلاهما يعبر عن مرارة تعتلج بنفس كاتبها
وكلاهما بليغ وفصيح وممتع
***
وأظن سر نجاح مزرعة الحيوان المدوي هو تعديها حدود الزمان والمكان
وأنها ومهما تعددت الأنظمة وتبدلت القوانين ومرت السنوات
تظل خالدة
لعنة أبدية تطارد المستبد في كل زمان ومكان
لعنة على الخنوع والجبن
لعنة تتردد على أفواه مستضعفي الأرض
الذين ما إن تواتيهم الفرصة
يمسكون بالكرباج ويستضعفون خلقا جديدا
***
أخبرهم كيف أن حياتهم قصيرة يظلون يكدحون فيها ثم فى النهاية يذبحون
ولا يوجد فى إنجلترا كلها حيوان حر
إنهم لا يتركون لنا إلا الفتات مع أننا نقوم بكل العمل...
***
October 28, 2015
I first read this in Grade 11 and decided it was my favourite book. I knew a reread needed to happen right away, but it took me four years to finally get around to it when my boyfriend gifted me this beautiful illustrated edition. Animal Farm is a book I often think about and often quote, and it was a bit nerve-wracking to go back to it to see if it actually lived up to everything I had built it up to be. Thankfully, I'm thrilled to say it did.
In many ways it's a little bit underwhelming the second time around, because the plot (which lots of people will already know because it's a retelling of the Russian revolution) is extremely simplistic. This meant, however, that I was able to focus more on motivations and symbols and the other meaty stuff outside of the plot (which, don't get me wrong, was still hella exciting).
The big question: is this still my favourite book? Yes. I've not yet read a book that so succinctly and simply drives home an idea with wonderful intricacies and nuances. After all this time I also feel so comfortable with this book, I get it and love talking about it and see reflections of it all the time. Also, in response to this edition, I loved the illustrations. They were sinister and childlike and felt like political caricatures - I think Orwell would like them. Apparently Andy Serkis is going to be making a film adaptation of Animal Farm and I'm super jazzed. That doesn't really have anything to do with this review, but I wanted to share my joy.
Finally, thank you to Greg for gifting me this pretty book, reading it aloud with me over FaceTime, and letting me go on big rants about why Benjamin is the WORST. <3
June 23rd, 2012:
One of my favourite classics. Absolutely brilliant. Just great. Read it in Grade 11 and never looked back! Really introduced me into loving classics.
In many ways it's a little bit underwhelming the second time around, because the plot (which lots of people will already know because it's a retelling of the Russian revolution) is extremely simplistic. This meant, however, that I was able to focus more on motivations and symbols and the other meaty stuff outside of the plot (which, don't get me wrong, was still hella exciting).
The big question: is this still my favourite book? Yes. I've not yet read a book that so succinctly and simply drives home an idea with wonderful intricacies and nuances. After all this time I also feel so comfortable with this book, I get it and love talking about it and see reflections of it all the time. Also, in response to this edition, I loved the illustrations. They were sinister and childlike and felt like political caricatures - I think Orwell would like them. Apparently Andy Serkis is going to be making a film adaptation of Animal Farm and I'm super jazzed. That doesn't really have anything to do with this review, but I wanted to share my joy.
Finally, thank you to Greg for gifting me this pretty book, reading it aloud with me over FaceTime, and letting me go on big rants about why Benjamin is the WORST. <3
June 23rd, 2012:
One of my favourite classics. Absolutely brilliant. Just great. Read it in Grade 11 and never looked back! Really introduced me into loving classics.
October 1, 2020
أفضل أعمال جورج أوريل من وجهة نظري
وأحد أفضل الروايات السياسية الرمزية في تاريخ الأدب
وأحد أفضل الروايات السياسية الرمزية في تاريخ الأدب
November 26, 2022
Communism, theocracy, fascism, capitalism, neocolonialism, neoliberalism, always the same piggy style
Although it was mainly aimed at Russia and the Sowjet Union
Because they at least tried to establish a socialist communist workers' utopia just like China and other states in South East Asia and around the world. The fact that it always failed is something so multidimensional that it would blow the complexity of this review throughout the book cover. And I´m not qualified too. So let´s better say that each system has its flaws, and that coincidence, big history, and geopolitics influence the rise and fall of theism and totalitarianism.
All animals are the same but some are more equal
Especially apes love this idea to look at fur, gender, religion, political or economic ideology, skin color, tradition, clothes, etc. to find something that differentiates them from others as a legitimation and reason to exterminate them. Or at least first exclude, stigmatize, discriminate, enslave, and then commit genocides on them. Ironically some dictatorships like communism at least didn´t try to kill all black, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, etc. people, but just everyone who disobeyed, although I´m not sure if this really is an advantage in contrast to fascism. Communism could simply kill so many more people in Russia, China, etc. because they had much more time to do so. So judging by the numbers, one could say
That the kill count counts
But how should one know which numbers are correct, because often nobody counted or was killed for trying to do so
Colonialism under authoritarian dictatorships aka monarchy fused with theocracy torture terror killed an unknown number of people
Fascism killed at least something between 75 and 100 million people
Communism killed something between 125 and 250 million people
Capitalism, neoliberalism, and neocolonialism killed an unknown number of people in all exploited areas with billions of citizens by not helping them to develop and stabilize. And guess what, I would bet that each avoidable death within the last decades, now, and in the future could reach the levels above. Another Western derision after centuries of colonialism, now rebranded as neocolonialism under the neoliberal economic Nobel Price agenda. Nobody can say how many people are dying after unimaginable suffering each minute and, most disturbing, no media or politician cares or talks about it. It´s just too taboo to touch this connection with a pitchfork because of the implications and because of manufacturing consent crushing everyone who dares to speak out.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Evil intelligence
No matter which farm animal, ape, or human tribe, the clever and ruthless sociopathic males will always try to dominate for more power, resources, sexy ape girls, and influence. All of human history could be seen as a permanent struggle with the megalomania of superpowers which have at least been somewhat tamed by democracy and capitalism. But even there are huge differences between the libertarian free US market and eco social Europe.
Orwell simply later modified the same concept for 1984 or, one could assume, wrote a prequel
1984 is the same with fascism and humans instead of pigs and communism and, of course, also the more famous one because it showed the direct consequences that are normal everyday life for many people around the world.
No need to enter misantropic mode
There have been incredible improvements in the last 100 years and social evolution has become a peaceful revolution in many states, especially Scandinavia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_... , my all time favorite example of a perfect balance of state and economy, of eco social politics and a controlled market. On the other hand, there are of course also states backlashing and thereby failing in Africa, South America, South East Asia, and the Southern US, but with the never ending hope for enlightenment, education, and distributional justice one can imagine a brighter future for them.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
Although it was mainly aimed at Russia and the Sowjet Union
Because they at least tried to establish a socialist communist workers' utopia just like China and other states in South East Asia and around the world. The fact that it always failed is something so multidimensional that it would blow the complexity of this review throughout the book cover. And I´m not qualified too. So let´s better say that each system has its flaws, and that coincidence, big history, and geopolitics influence the rise and fall of theism and totalitarianism.
All animals are the same but some are more equal
Especially apes love this idea to look at fur, gender, religion, political or economic ideology, skin color, tradition, clothes, etc. to find something that differentiates them from others as a legitimation and reason to exterminate them. Or at least first exclude, stigmatize, discriminate, enslave, and then commit genocides on them. Ironically some dictatorships like communism at least didn´t try to kill all black, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, etc. people, but just everyone who disobeyed, although I´m not sure if this really is an advantage in contrast to fascism. Communism could simply kill so many more people in Russia, China, etc. because they had much more time to do so. So judging by the numbers, one could say
That the kill count counts
But how should one know which numbers are correct, because often nobody counted or was killed for trying to do so
Colonialism under authoritarian dictatorships aka monarchy fused with theocracy torture terror killed an unknown number of people
Fascism killed at least something between 75 and 100 million people
Communism killed something between 125 and 250 million people
Capitalism, neoliberalism, and neocolonialism killed an unknown number of people in all exploited areas with billions of citizens by not helping them to develop and stabilize. And guess what, I would bet that each avoidable death within the last decades, now, and in the future could reach the levels above. Another Western derision after centuries of colonialism, now rebranded as neocolonialism under the neoliberal economic Nobel Price agenda. Nobody can say how many people are dying after unimaginable suffering each minute and, most disturbing, no media or politician cares or talks about it. It´s just too taboo to touch this connection with a pitchfork because of the implications and because of manufacturing consent crushing everyone who dares to speak out.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Evil intelligence
No matter which farm animal, ape, or human tribe, the clever and ruthless sociopathic males will always try to dominate for more power, resources, sexy ape girls, and influence. All of human history could be seen as a permanent struggle with the megalomania of superpowers which have at least been somewhat tamed by democracy and capitalism. But even there are huge differences between the libertarian free US market and eco social Europe.
Orwell simply later modified the same concept for 1984 or, one could assume, wrote a prequel
1984 is the same with fascism and humans instead of pigs and communism and, of course, also the more famous one because it showed the direct consequences that are normal everyday life for many people around the world.
No need to enter misantropic mode
There have been incredible improvements in the last 100 years and social evolution has become a peaceful revolution in many states, especially Scandinavia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_... , my all time favorite example of a perfect balance of state and economy, of eco social politics and a controlled market. On the other hand, there are of course also states backlashing and thereby failing in Africa, South America, South East Asia, and the Southern US, but with the never ending hope for enlightenment, education, and distributional justice one can imagine a brighter future for them.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
May 15, 2023
- "مزرعة الحيوان"، احدى افضل القصص الرمزية التي كتبت في القرن الماضي من حيث رمزيتها الهائلة وأسلوبها البسيط، وقد أخذت مكانها بين الكتابات الخالدة بسبب هذه الرمزية وبكونها استخدمت كدعاية مضادة او كتحذير من الشيوعية والمعسكر الشرقي ولو انها لا تهاجم الشيوعية بل الستالينية تحديداً، كما انها تعد ثورة في مجال حرية الرأي في بريطانيا تحديداً التي كانت تغطي وتعتم على اي نقد يطال حليفتها السوفياتية!
- تنطلق القصة من مزرعة بريطانية (تنبأ كارل ماركس بأن الثورة ستحصل في بريطانيا اولاً لأنها اكثر البلدان صناعية في اوروبا حينها) حيث تقوم الحيوانات بالثورة على صاحب المزرعة السيد جونز(يرمز الى نيكولا الثاني، آخر قياصرة روسيا والذي اطاحت به الثورة البلشفية) الجائر واللامبالي. هذه الثورة كان لا بد لها من منّظر وهو "العجوز ميجر"(يرمز الى كارل ماركس في حياته، وخطابه الأول مقاربة بينه وبين البيان الشيوعي الذي صاغه ماركس وآنغلز، كما انه يرمز الى "لينين" بعد موته خصوصاً مع انتشال جمجمته ووضعها قرب العلم) الذي زرع بذور التحرر في الحيوانات ووضع مبادئ للثورة. تتتابع القصة بوقوع الثورة (ترمز للثورة البلشفية) وطرد السيد جونز واستلام مجموعة من الخنازير إدارة المزرعة (بحكم ان الخنازير اذكى من غيرها). من هذه الخنازير يبرز اثنان: "سنوبول"(ويرمز الى تروتسكي) المحبوب من قبل الحيوانات، واحد ابطال الم��ركة الأولى، و"نابليون"(يرمز الى جوزيف ستالين بوحشتيه وخبثه ووصوليته، كما ان اسم نابليون لا يخلو من غمز انكليزي من قناة اسطورة فرنسا) حيث يقومان بتشكيل ثنائي قيادي لإدارة المزرعة، ووضع اسسها (المبادئ السبعة) وشعارها (القرن والحافر كمقاربة للمنجل والمطرقة) والخطط المستقبلية (الطاحونة، التقاعد، نظام العمل،..) والتوسّع الإيديولوجي (أسراب الحمام). لكن هذا الثنائي لا يلبث ان يتصادم وتكون الغلبة لنابليون الذي يمتلك دزينة كلاب مدربة (ترمز لل "كي-جي-بي" او الأمن السري السوفياتي) وينفى سنوبول وتضحى مفاتيح الحكم بيد خنزير واحد!
من هذه النقطة يبدأ جورج أورويل بسرد التحول الإجتماعي الذي يحصل في المجتمع وتبيان الفرق بين المبادئ والتطبيق او ما بين الشعارات والممارسات الفعلية، وكيفية تحول الثورة من فكرة تحررية الى فكرة شمولية دكتاتورية فردية وهذا يظهر ان أورويل لم يكن ضد الشيوعية الماركسية كفكرة او كمبدأ.
في المزرعة تبدأ الأحداث تتشكل حول احادية الحكم وخرق المبادئ الأساسية وتحويرها تبعاً للأحداث، هذه الأحداث التي بدأت ببناء طاحونة الهواء (فكرة سنوبول التي عارضها نابليون، وهي كناية عن الخطط الصناعية الروسية) بمجهود الحيوانات العاملة (ترمز للبروليتاريا) وهتافات الخراف (كناية عن الغوغاء والمطبلين للنظام) ونشر الدعايات من خلال "سكويلر"(يرمز الى صوت الإعلام الرسمي كصحيفة برافدا السوفياتية) وتحطيم ارث سنوبول (اتهامه بالخيانة والعمالة وجعله شماعة لتبرير كل فشل ومصيبة) واقامة المحاكمات والإعدامات (ترمز للإعدامات التي حصلت إبان الحرب العالمية الثانية والتي انتزعت ال"كي-جي-بي" اعترافات وهمية من اصحابها تحت التعذيب والتهديد). في هذا الوقت المزارع المجاورة (ترمز لألمانيا وبريطانيا) لم تكن تتفرج بل نشرت الدعايات المسيئة عن مزرعة الحيوان وقامت احدى المزرعتين (مزرعة بينشفيلد التابعة للسيد فريدريك او فريدرش ليكون رمزاً لهتلر) بهجوم على المزرعة ادى الى تحطيم الطاحونة لكنه باء بالفشل (المعركة ترمز بالأغلب لمعركة ستالينغراد التي صمد فيها الجيش الأحمر وكانت نقطة التحول في شن الهجوم المضاد وتحرير روسيا والدخول الى المانيا لاحقاً). بعد هذه المعركة حصل التحول الكبير بنسف كل المبادئ وقيام نابليون بالتشبه بالسيد جونز من حيث المأكل والمشرب والمنامة وحتى المشي على قدمين (هذا يرمز الى تحول الثوار الى ما ثاروا عليه من برجوازية وملكية وغيرها) وتنتهي بجلسة تجمع البشر بالخنازير (ترمز لمؤتمر طهران الذي جمع ما بين روزفلت وتشرشل وستالين، لقاء الأضداد) امام انظار الحيوانات الساذجة (البروليتاريا والطبقات المسحوقة) والحيوانات الحيادية كالحمار"بنجمين"(يرمز للطبقات المثقفة الصامتة) والغراب "موسى" (يرمز للكنيسة الأرتودكسية).
- بعد هذا يتضح لنا سبب شهرة وأهمية هذه الرواية، واستطراداً فهي لا تنطبق على الإتحاد السوفياتي إبّان عهد ستالين فقط بل لا زالت تنطبق على العديد من الدول في العالم حالياً!!!
- الترجمة كانت جيدة جداً لمحمود عبد الغني، رغم ان المقدمة كانت زائدة وفيها بعض العجرفة. لاحظت بعض الأخطاء المطبعية لكنها لم تكن مؤثرة.
- تنطلق القصة من مزرعة بريطانية (تنبأ كارل ماركس بأن الثورة ستحصل في بريطانيا اولاً لأنها اكثر البلدان صناعية في اوروبا حينها) حيث تقوم الحيوانات بالثورة على صاحب المزرعة السيد جونز(يرمز الى نيكولا الثاني، آخر قياصرة روسيا والذي اطاحت به الثورة البلشفية) الجائر واللامبالي. هذه الثورة كان لا بد لها من منّظر وهو "العجوز ميجر"(يرمز الى كارل ماركس في حياته، وخطابه الأول مقاربة بينه وبين البيان الشيوعي الذي صاغه ماركس وآنغلز، كما انه يرمز الى "لينين" بعد موته خصوصاً مع انتشال جمجمته ووضعها قرب العلم) الذي زرع بذور التحرر في الحيوانات ووضع مبادئ للثورة. تتتابع القصة بوقوع الثورة (ترمز للثورة البلشفية) وطرد السيد جونز واستلام مجموعة من الخنازير إدارة المزرعة (بحكم ان الخنازير اذكى من غيرها). من هذه الخنازير يبرز اثنان: "سنوبول"(ويرمز الى تروتسكي) المحبوب من قبل الحيوانات، واحد ابطال الم��ركة الأولى، و"نابليون"(يرمز الى جوزيف ستالين بوحشتيه وخبثه ووصوليته، كما ان اسم نابليون لا يخلو من غمز انكليزي من قناة اسطورة فرنسا) حيث يقومان بتشكيل ثنائي قيادي لإدارة المزرعة، ووضع اسسها (المبادئ السبعة) وشعارها (القرن والحافر كمقاربة للمنجل والمطرقة) والخطط المستقبلية (الطاحونة، التقاعد، نظام العمل،..) والتوسّع الإيديولوجي (أسراب الحمام). لكن هذا الثنائي لا يلبث ان يتصادم وتكون الغلبة لنابليون الذي يمتلك دزينة كلاب مدربة (ترمز لل "كي-جي-بي" او الأمن السري السوفياتي) وينفى سنوبول وتضحى مفاتيح الحكم بيد خنزير واحد!
من هذه النقطة يبدأ جورج أورويل بسرد التحول الإجتماعي الذي يحصل في المجتمع وتبيان الفرق بين المبادئ والتطبيق او ما بين الشعارات والممارسات الفعلية، وكيفية تحول الثورة من فكرة تحررية الى فكرة شمولية دكتاتورية فردية وهذا يظهر ان أورويل لم يكن ضد الشيوعية الماركسية كفكرة او كمبدأ.
في المزرعة تبدأ الأحداث تتشكل حول احادية الحكم وخرق المبادئ الأساسية وتحويرها تبعاً للأحداث، هذه الأحداث التي بدأت ببناء طاحونة الهواء (فكرة سنوبول التي عارضها نابليون، وهي كناية عن الخطط الصناعية الروسية) بمجهود الحيوانات العاملة (ترمز للبروليتاريا) وهتافات الخراف (كناية عن الغوغاء والمطبلين للنظام) ونشر الدعايات من خلال "سكويلر"(يرمز الى صوت الإعلام الرسمي كصحيفة برافدا السوفياتية) وتحطيم ارث سنوبول (اتهامه بالخيانة والعمالة وجعله شماعة لتبرير كل فشل ومصيبة) واقامة المحاكمات والإعدامات (ترمز للإعدامات التي حصلت إبان الحرب العالمية الثانية والتي انتزعت ال"كي-جي-بي" اعترافات وهمية من اصحابها تحت التعذيب والتهديد). في هذا الوقت المزارع المجاورة (ترمز لألمانيا وبريطانيا) لم تكن تتفرج بل نشرت الدعايات المسيئة عن مزرعة الحيوان وقامت احدى المزرعتين (مزرعة بينشفيلد التابعة للسيد فريدريك او فريدرش ليكون رمزاً لهتلر) بهجوم على المزرعة ادى الى تحطيم الطاحونة لكنه باء بالفشل (المعركة ترمز بالأغلب لمعركة ستالينغراد التي صمد فيها الجيش الأحمر وكانت نقطة التحول في شن الهجوم المضاد وتحرير روسيا والدخول الى المانيا لاحقاً). بعد هذه المعركة حصل التحول الكبير بنسف كل المبادئ وقيام نابليون بالتشبه بالسيد جونز من حيث المأكل والمشرب والمنامة وحتى المشي على قدمين (هذا يرمز الى تحول الثوار الى ما ثاروا عليه من برجوازية وملكية وغيرها) وتنتهي بجلسة تجمع البشر بالخنازير (ترمز لمؤتمر طهران الذي جمع ما بين روزفلت وتشرشل وستالين، لقاء الأضداد) امام انظار الحيوانات الساذجة (البروليتاريا والطبقات المسحوقة) والحيوانات الحيادية كالحمار"بنجمين"(يرمز للطبقات المثقفة الصامتة) والغراب "موسى" (يرمز للكنيسة الأرتودكسية).
- بعد هذا يتضح لنا سبب شهرة وأهمية هذه الرواية، واستطراداً فهي لا تنطبق على الإتحاد السوفياتي إبّان عهد ستالين فقط بل لا زالت تنطبق على العديد من الدول في العالم حالياً!!!
- الترجمة كانت جيدة جداً لمحمود عبد الغني، رغم ان المقدمة كانت زائدة وفيها بعض العجرفة. لاحظت بعض الأخطاء المطبعية لكنها لم تكن مؤثرة.
January 8, 2024
I suspect this is what my pets are getting up to while I’m away. ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,’ is something I’m fairly certain my dog has barked while stealing a treat from the other dog, and cats are inherently libertarians so there’s probably some horrible revolution brewing. Come to think of it, when my cat pukes on the rug it does sound vaguely like he’s saying‘the only good human being is a dead one,’ but I won’t hide the Orwell from them because there will be no censorship in this house. Anyways, Animal Farm is a classic for a reason and it is one that I found managed to hit even harder as an adult than it did when I read it for my freshman literature class. This story was used to teach us all the term allegory, as in “Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegory of the Russian Revolution” as well as the term satire, as in “Orwell satirizes following political leaders into totalitarianism,” but above all it taught me how a good writer can deliver an important political message even adorned in the trappings of a barnyard tussle. While it is highly critical of the Soviets, readers shouldn't mistake it as a condemnation of socialism as Orwell was more intent on showing how those who thirst for power will hijack socialist movements and Orwell wants to protect those in order for them to flourish. Animal Farm remains a staple of western literature and classroom discussions for Orwell’s ability to be succinct and accessible while also conveying complex themes on freedom, power struggles and one of Orwell’s signature themes: propaganda.
Sandra Boynton’sBarnyard Dance…Orwell style
Having just recently read and been blown away by Watership Down from Richard Adams where themes of leadership and power are examined through a story of the animal kingdom, I wanted to revisit Orwell and see how his similar allegorical packaging held up. While Adams’s tale is fairly symbolic of WWII, I think it functions really great as a general metaphor on authoritarianism and struggles for freedom whereas Orwell’s Animal Farm is much more confined within its narrative as a take on the Soviet Union. Not that it can’t be read as a more general look at the way well-intentioned movements can be corrupted by power and those in power can propagate the people into paving their paths to power, but a lot of Animal Farms charm is seeing the satirical allegory and the character references. For instance, we can see how Old Major is representative of Karl Marx and his dream a nod to the The Communist Manifesto, or Napoleon representing Joseph Stalin, Snowball as Leon Trotsky, and more metaphorical stand-ins such as the working class personified as Boxer. Though perhaps it is Squealer who is my favorite of the political metaphors on propaganda and rhetorical manipulations for all the books snappy slogans, but more on that in a moment,
‘All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.’
The opening of the story reflects the overthrow of the Czar and while Orwell is speaking out against the communist regime that took control, Orwell is often misinterpreted as being broadly anti-socialism, anti-marxism, etc. In his essay Why I Write (you can read it HERE) he states ‘every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it.’ Which I think adds an important nuance to this story that is often misinterpreted: it isn’t to say that the idea of all animals being equal, or the idea of organizing for a more just society are inherently bad, its that movements often get hijacked to become antithetical to what they started as and rhetoric gets twisted and turned back inwards.
The irony, however, is that for all his work examining the evils of propaganda—a primary theme in 1984—the book Animal Farm itself became weaponized as propaganda. In his introduction to a Ukranian edition, Orwell himself admits he wanted to use distribution of the novel as anti-Soviet rhetoric, because apparently all propaganda is equally bad but some propaganda is more equally bad than others. ‘I have been convinced that the destruction of the Soviet myth was essential if we wanted a revival of the Socialist movement,’ he says, and wrote Animal Farm in a way that ‘could be easily understood by almost anyone and which could be easily translated into other languages.’ Which explains the accessibility of the novel, and while it is fairly heavy-handed it still reads quite well.
The use of the novel as propaganda didn’t just end at distributions of translations, however. In his book Orwell Subverted: The CIA and the Filming of Animal Farm, Daniel J. Leab argues that Animal Farm was intended as a ‘ warning against the Stalinist perversion of socialism’ and not socialism itself, though the CIA found the narrative a useful tool if they could make a few changes. Orwell’s widow was apprehensive of a film adaptation originally and then demanded they maintained the integrity of Orwell’s vision, and one might wonder if her reluctance to give access to any of Orwell’s work after that. The CIA made the anti-Soviet theme more pronounced without any nuance, such as making Snowball completely irredeemable and making a division between “good” and “bad” farmers to make a statement that not all farmers (and by proxy all capitalists) are bad.
‘Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than just ribbons?’
What fascinates me most in this novel is the use of language, particularly the way language can be manipulated or intentionally obfuscated in order to seduce the masses, subvert opposition and reframe reality. Language with oversimplificatiosn like ‘four legs good, two legs bad’ masks ulterior motives and becomes a sort of catch-all to smuggle a whole ideology. As Noam Chomsky wrote in Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda:
Squealer and Napoleon repeatedly walk back earlier statements, twisting logic as they see fit and Boxer, confused and wanting to remain loyal, is easy propagated to believe any revision. Even to history, such as Snowball’s role in the revolution. This idea is expressed in Orwell’s 1984’ as well, ‘if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought,’ and through Orwell we often see how language is a great tool but one that can also be weaponized for evil.
‘Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself. ’
This is a quick read, and a rather fun one at that even if you aren’t reading for the Soviet allegory. It is fairly heavy handed, and intended as such, and while I think I prefer the way Watership Down is more broadly metaphorical and emotional (also has its own lore and language), the directness and accessibility of this one also help it land a major impact upon the reader. It is no surprise this has remained a classroom staple for its ease of teachability on both literary techniques and political history but also from the way the CIA harnessed it as propaganda forever enshrining it in US culture as well as English. Though at heart it is more a warning about power and abuse of rhetoric in order to hijack movements. So watch out, your pets might be collaborating with each other and you should be wary if a meow starts to sound strangely like Vive la révolution...
4.5/5
‘The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.’
Sandra Boynton’sBarnyard Dance…Orwell style
Having just recently read and been blown away by Watership Down from Richard Adams where themes of leadership and power are examined through a story of the animal kingdom, I wanted to revisit Orwell and see how his similar allegorical packaging held up. While Adams’s tale is fairly symbolic of WWII, I think it functions really great as a general metaphor on authoritarianism and struggles for freedom whereas Orwell’s Animal Farm is much more confined within its narrative as a take on the Soviet Union. Not that it can’t be read as a more general look at the way well-intentioned movements can be corrupted by power and those in power can propagate the people into paving their paths to power, but a lot of Animal Farms charm is seeing the satirical allegory and the character references. For instance, we can see how Old Major is representative of Karl Marx and his dream a nod to the The Communist Manifesto, or Napoleon representing Joseph Stalin, Snowball as Leon Trotsky, and more metaphorical stand-ins such as the working class personified as Boxer. Though perhaps it is Squealer who is my favorite of the political metaphors on propaganda and rhetorical manipulations for all the books snappy slogans, but more on that in a moment,
‘All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.’
The opening of the story reflects the overthrow of the Czar and while Orwell is speaking out against the communist regime that took control, Orwell is often misinterpreted as being broadly anti-socialism, anti-marxism, etc. In his essay Why I Write (you can read it HERE) he states ‘every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it.’ Which I think adds an important nuance to this story that is often misinterpreted: it isn’t to say that the idea of all animals being equal, or the idea of organizing for a more just society are inherently bad, its that movements often get hijacked to become antithetical to what they started as and rhetoric gets twisted and turned back inwards.
The irony, however, is that for all his work examining the evils of propaganda—a primary theme in 1984—the book Animal Farm itself became weaponized as propaganda. In his introduction to a Ukranian edition, Orwell himself admits he wanted to use distribution of the novel as anti-Soviet rhetoric, because apparently all propaganda is equally bad but some propaganda is more equally bad than others. ‘I have been convinced that the destruction of the Soviet myth was essential if we wanted a revival of the Socialist movement,’ he says, and wrote Animal Farm in a way that ‘could be easily understood by almost anyone and which could be easily translated into other languages.’ Which explains the accessibility of the novel, and while it is fairly heavy-handed it still reads quite well.
The use of the novel as propaganda didn’t just end at distributions of translations, however. In his book Orwell Subverted: The CIA and the Filming of Animal Farm, Daniel J. Leab argues that Animal Farm was intended as a ‘ warning against the Stalinist perversion of socialism’ and not socialism itself, though the CIA found the narrative a useful tool if they could make a few changes. Orwell’s widow was apprehensive of a film adaptation originally and then demanded they maintained the integrity of Orwell’s vision, and one might wonder if her reluctance to give access to any of Orwell’s work after that. The CIA made the anti-Soviet theme more pronounced without any nuance, such as making Snowball completely irredeemable and making a division between “good” and “bad” farmers to make a statement that not all farmers (and by proxy all capitalists) are bad.
‘Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than just ribbons?’
What fascinates me most in this novel is the use of language, particularly the way language can be manipulated or intentionally obfuscated in order to seduce the masses, subvert opposition and reframe reality. Language with oversimplificatiosn like ‘four legs good, two legs bad’ masks ulterior motives and becomes a sort of catch-all to smuggle a whole ideology. As Noam Chomsky wrote in Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda:
'That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything.'
Squealer and Napoleon repeatedly walk back earlier statements, twisting logic as they see fit and Boxer, confused and wanting to remain loyal, is easy propagated to believe any revision. Even to history, such as Snowball’s role in the revolution. This idea is expressed in Orwell’s 1984’ as well, ‘if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought,’ and through Orwell we often see how language is a great tool but one that can also be weaponized for evil.
‘Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself. ’
This is a quick read, and a rather fun one at that even if you aren’t reading for the Soviet allegory. It is fairly heavy handed, and intended as such, and while I think I prefer the way Watership Down is more broadly metaphorical and emotional (also has its own lore and language), the directness and accessibility of this one also help it land a major impact upon the reader. It is no surprise this has remained a classroom staple for its ease of teachability on both literary techniques and political history but also from the way the CIA harnessed it as propaganda forever enshrining it in US culture as well as English. Though at heart it is more a warning about power and abuse of rhetoric in order to hijack movements. So watch out, your pets might be collaborating with each other and you should be wary if a meow starts to sound strangely like Vive la révolution...
4.5/5
‘The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.’
February 12, 2024
This book didn't read like a 'classic' at all for me. It was so easy to get into. The writing style is simple and amazing. It's short but the story is relevant and weaved in such a way the readers get lots to think and reflect about the working system in a society, especially the political system.
This small book made me think about the class division and the different caste systems that are still relevant today. The political system is seemingly complicated but this book gave me a glimpse of it in a way how it's being played.
The part which intrigued me the most was the way the common people being manipulated or played with false promises and a better future for them. And that the lives of the ones who rebel or do something different for their betterment ends up not appreciated.
This small book gives a very clear picture how the actual society works; a vivid description on how the heirarchical system works and will continue as long as the general public blindly keeps on believing that others are going to make their lives better by helping them reach and sit on thrones who will detect them on how to work harder so that such people can party better.
The part which hit me the most was when one character who worked their whole lives for everyone else ended up as being forgotten and left to their own devices when weak and old with nothing much left for them in the end.
This book represents well the society we are living in, gives us an idea how the political system works in real and how the rest of us play our roles in the system.
The best part of reading this book is that it makes me think about how I as a person play my role in the society, how important one vote of mine matters and plays a significant role, how I am ultimately responsible for my own efforts in making the surrounding around me improve and how ignorant I am regarding the ways of the society and the political system. It's just not enough to live. Who is going to stand up for us ultimately? It's not them but we ourselves. Let's start by thinking twice about how easily we believe in the words others promise us for our future. Is it them who we are lifting them making them stand on the tip of our heads or us who's going to actually decide for that?
***Highlight:
The animal characters accurately represent the real working system as is at present
This small book made me think about the class division and the different caste systems that are still relevant today. The political system is seemingly complicated but this book gave me a glimpse of it in a way how it's being played.
The part which intrigued me the most was the way the common people being manipulated or played with false promises and a better future for them. And that the lives of the ones who rebel or do something different for their betterment ends up not appreciated.
This small book gives a very clear picture how the actual society works; a vivid description on how the heirarchical system works and will continue as long as the general public blindly keeps on believing that others are going to make their lives better by helping them reach and sit on thrones who will detect them on how to work harder so that such people can party better.
The part which hit me the most was when one character who worked their whole lives for everyone else ended up as being forgotten and left to their own devices when weak and old with nothing much left for them in the end.
This book represents well the society we are living in, gives us an idea how the political system works in real and how the rest of us play our roles in the system.
The best part of reading this book is that it makes me think about how I as a person play my role in the society, how important one vote of mine matters and plays a significant role, how I am ultimately responsible for my own efforts in making the surrounding around me improve and how ignorant I am regarding the ways of the society and the political system. It's just not enough to live. Who is going to stand up for us ultimately? It's not them but we ourselves. Let's start by thinking twice about how easily we believe in the words others promise us for our future. Is it them who we are lifting them making them stand on the tip of our heads or us who's going to actually decide for that?
***Highlight:
The animal characters accurately represent the real working system as is at present
December 21, 2014
It is extraordinary how current this book is for the modern day Russian situation and not only.
It left a powerful impression on me even if I knew all about the plot and message before starting the book. I thought (and I was right) that I should do some research before reading this book regarding the Russian Revolution, Stalin, Strosky in order to understand the historical context in which the book was written.
I believe this book should be read by everybody as it is perfect allegory about the dangers of power, how socialist ideals are so easily corrupted and how dictators can transform into capitalists (I can think of some current examples). The most heartbreaking characters, the Horse Boxter represent the uneducated masses that are so easily fooled to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the leaders. That reminds me of all the brainwash that is done in the communist countries and not only.
It left a powerful impression on me even if I knew all about the plot and message before starting the book. I thought (and I was right) that I should do some research before reading this book regarding the Russian Revolution, Stalin, Strosky in order to understand the historical context in which the book was written.
I believe this book should be read by everybody as it is perfect allegory about the dangers of power, how socialist ideals are so easily corrupted and how dictators can transform into capitalists (I can think of some current examples). The most heartbreaking characters, the Horse Boxter represent the uneducated masses that are so easily fooled to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the leaders. That reminds me of all the brainwash that is done in the communist countries and not only.
August 4, 2016
تو هیچ میدانی بزرگترین درنده دنیا کیست؟ لابد خواهی گفت شیر. نه، به هیچ وجه! بزرگترین درنده دنیا آدم است
نیکوس کازنتزاکیس
فیلم آزمایش با جملات تکان دهنده ای آغاز می شود: در بین تمام موجودات فقط انسان است كه همنوعانش را می کشد آنهم نه يك نفر يا دونفر،گاهي ميليون ها نفر در عرض يك سال
:و به قول فريدون مشيري
هيچ حيوانی به حيوانی نمی دارد روا
آنچه اين نامردمان با جان انسان می كنند
:در مورد کتاب
اولین کتابی بود که از جرج اورول خواندم.وی در داستانی تمثیلی، انقلاب اکتبر روسیه و اتفاقات بعد آن را به دنیا نشان می دهد
حيوانات اين داستان از این ناراضي اند كه همه براي يك نفر كار كنند و زحمت خودشان در جيب ديگري برود و خودشان از کمترین امکانات برای زیستن برخوردار باشند و از اين رو دست به انقلاب مي زنند تا برابري را بين خودشان برقرار كنند و زیر لوای کمونیست قرار بگیرند
آنها جونز ارباب مزرعه را بيرون كردند ولي ناپلئون خوك مستبد خیلی زود
!جای او را گرفت و صد رحمت به جونز
چيزي كه باعث ميشد حيوانات ظلم ناپلئون رو ناديده بگيرند يا حتي ظلم نداند اين است که به آنها تلقین شده كه ديگر برده نيستند در حاليكه هرچه مي گذشت زندگی نسبت به سابق سخت تر ميشد و فقط موقع خواب بود كه كار نمي كردند
ناپلئون و ديگر خوكان اجازه فكر كردن به حيوانات را نمي دادند و همه باید مانند این رهبران فکر کنند
در کتاب های دیگر خوانده ام که در كشورهاي كمونيستي مانند شوروی این افکار را به مردم القا مي كردند كه همه جهان در بدبختی و فقر دست و پا می زند و فقط مردم ما خوشبختند
یا وضع امروز مردم خیلی بهتر از قبل است
سكوئيلر به سرعت اعدادي پشت سرهم مي خواند تا به حيوانات نشان دهد حالا از زمان جونز جوي بيشتر،يونجه فراوانتر و شغلم زيادتري دارند،ساعات كمتري كار مي كنند و آب آشاميدني شان گواراتر،عمرشان طولاني تر،بهداشت نوزادان بهتر شده است؛در طويله كاه بيشتر دارند و مگس كمتر آزار مي دهد
حيوانات تمام اين مطالب را باور مي كردند
در يك حكومت كمونيستي، مردم باید تا می توانند کار کنند.در کشور چین وقت کاری کارگران دو ساعت بیشتر از وقت کاری کشور ایران است و حقوق کمتری هم نسبت به اینجا دریافت می کنند
:قوانین ایده آل برابری
در ادامه می بینیم همین مدعیان حقوق برابر حتی به اصول اولیه شان هم پایبند نیستند و خیلی زود قوانین رو عوض می کنند
:نتیجه
امانوئل کانت می گوید:انسان حیوانی است که احتیاج به ارباب دارد و تاریخ عبارت است از تحقق تدریجی یک طرح پنهان طبیعت که با ایجاد حکومت قانونی جهانی ، هم رابطه دولت ها را تحت ضابطه در آورد و هم روابط افراد را با دولتها
شاید هنوز هیچ نظام ایده آلی در جهان به وجود نیامده باشد چه کمونیست و چه سرمایه داری.و همانطور که کانت می گوید نبودن حکومت هم امکان پذیر نیست. ولی تنها راه این است که نباید حکومت ها آنچنان قدرتمند شوند که نتوان آنها را مورد بازخواست یا تغییر قرار داد
:درمورد انسان
به گفته رنه گروسه: اگر لایه سطحی انسان متمدن امروزی را بخراشیم ، لایه انسان حجری ، پدیدار می گردد
همانطور که فیلم زنده باد زاپاتا نشان می دهد قدرت می تواند حتی انسان آزادی خواهی را هم فاسد کند و خیلی زود لایه انسان حجری پدیدار شود و به همین خاطر این قانون چهارسال رئیس جمهوری بوجود آمده است
تا مردم بتوانند دوباره انتخاب کنند که قبلی بماند یا برود
August 17, 2023
Not as formidable as 1984, this modern day fable, though, bears down hard on totalitarianism and even more on the very aspects of our nature that brings power struggles about.
First published in 1945, this allegorical criticism of Stalinist communism is nonetheless still relevant today as a cautionary satire on totalitarianism in general.
*** 2023 reread -
I need to make this an annual reread, like it’s younger brother 1984.
Interestingly, this book is frequently selectively quoted and considered. Orwell was against totalitarianism, specifically Stalinism, not socialism. He was for most of his life a devoted democratic socialist, but a vocal opponent of authoritarianism.
This nuanced distinction is often lost. Even in his portrayal of the evolution of the farm - from Manor Farm to Animal Farm, and beyond - he identifies many successes of collectivism and how it gives greater autonomy and purpose to the animals. He is critical of the biased communications and propaganda from totalitarian regimes and this can be seen as a cautionary tale regarding these kinds of governments.
I also thought of Ursula K. LeGuin’s brilliant novel The Dispossessed. While both LeGuin’s non-authoritarian anarchism and the voluntary socialism Orwell champions may only work on paper, his warnings against impaired freedom of speech and of ideological corruption were spot on.
This is also timeless, many of the lessons he imparts and observations made are as relevant now as in the 40s.
First published in 1945, this allegorical criticism of Stalinist communism is nonetheless still relevant today as a cautionary satire on totalitarianism in general.
*** 2023 reread -
I need to make this an annual reread, like it’s younger brother 1984.
Interestingly, this book is frequently selectively quoted and considered. Orwell was against totalitarianism, specifically Stalinism, not socialism. He was for most of his life a devoted democratic socialist, but a vocal opponent of authoritarianism.
This nuanced distinction is often lost. Even in his portrayal of the evolution of the farm - from Manor Farm to Animal Farm, and beyond - he identifies many successes of collectivism and how it gives greater autonomy and purpose to the animals. He is critical of the biased communications and propaganda from totalitarian regimes and this can be seen as a cautionary tale regarding these kinds of governments.
I also thought of Ursula K. LeGuin’s brilliant novel The Dispossessed. While both LeGuin’s non-authoritarian anarchism and the voluntary socialism Orwell champions may only work on paper, his warnings against impaired freedom of speech and of ideological corruption were spot on.
This is also timeless, many of the lessons he imparts and observations made are as relevant now as in the 40s.
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