Novel by George Orwell – reviewed by Circe Aguiar
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a short but powerful novel that uses animals to tell a deeper story about politics, power, and betrayal. Although it may look like a simple story about farm animals, it’s a clever and serious look at how revolutions can go wrong.
The story begins when the animals on Mr. Jones’s farm rise and take control. They are tired of being mistreated and overworked and believe they can run the farm better on their own. Led by the pigs, especially two named Napoleon and Snowball, the animals create a new system based on equality and shared work. Their motto becomes: “All animals are equal.”
At first, things seem to improve. But as time passes, the pigs begin to take more control. Napoleon drives Snowball away and becomes a harsh, selfish leader. The pigs live in luxury while the other animals work harder than ever. Ultimately, the farm becomes just as bad—if not worse—than it was under human control. The final twist comes when the animals realize the pigs have become almost like the humans they replaced. The new motto becomes: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Animal Farm is an allegory that tells one story on the surface, but it also has a deeper meaning underneath. Orwell wrote it as a warning about how the Russian Revolution, which started with big ideas about equality, turned into a dictatorship under Stalin. The animals represent real people and groups from history, but the message goes beyond that time. Orwell shows how power can corrupt—even when a revolution starts with good intentions.
One of the most potent parts of the book is how language is used to control others. The pigs twist the truth, change the rules, and use clever words to keep the other animals confused and afraid. Orwell reminds us how easily people can be misled when they don’t think critically or trust leaders too much.
Even though Animal Farm is short and easy to read, its message is deep and lasting. It’s a story about how ideals can be lost, how power can change people, and how important it is to question authority. Orwell’s clear and clever writing makes the book both meaningful and unforgettable.