Book Report: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Introduction
Animal Farm, written by George Orwell in 1945, is a political allegory that uses the microcosm of farm animals overthrowing their human owner to explore themes of power, corruption, and propaganda. Orwell’s novella serves as a sharp critique of totalitarian regimes, particularly the rise and betrayals of the Soviet Union under Stalin, while presenting warnings that remain relevant to modern political landscapes, including those in 2025.
Plot Summary
The story begins on Manor Farm, where the neglected and exploited animals, inspired by Old Major’s vision of equality and freedom, rebel against the farmer, Mr Jones. They rename the farm “Animal Farm” and collectively pledge to build a society based on the principles of Animalism. Initially, the animals enjoy a period of cooperation and shared prosperity.
However, over time, the pigs, led by Napoleon, consolidate power. They manipulate language, history, and the rules of Animalism to serve their own interests. Napoleon uses fear, propaganda (with the help of the persuasive pig Squealer), and violence to suppress dissent. By the end of the book, the pigs have become indistinguishable from the humans they replaced, walking on two legs and oppressing the other animals. The revolution’s promise of equality and justice is completely betrayed.
Political Metaphors in Animal Farm
Napoleon and Snowball represent the power struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky, with Napoleon’s eventual dominance paralleling Stalin’s rise and Snowball’s exile echoing Trotsky’s fate.
Squealer symbolises state-controlled propaganda, demonstrating how language and information can be manipulated to maintain power.
Boxer the horse represents the working class, whose loyalty and labour sustain the regime even as they are exploited and discarded.
The Seven Commandments evolving into “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” illustrates the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the emergence of hypocrisy in authoritarian governance.
Relevance to the Modern World and 2025
Although Animal Farm was written in response to events of the early 20th century, its warnings resonate in 2025:
Rise of Authoritarianism – In today’s world, various governments have shown tendencies to centralise power, suppress media, and manipulate public opinion, echoing the gradual erosion of freedom depicted in Orwell’s farm.
Misinformation and Propaganda – In 2025, the spread of deepfakes and AI-generated disinformation makes Squealer’s twisting of the truth feel alarmingly prescient. Public opinion can be swayed through selective narratives and manipulation of digital media.
Economic Inequality – Modern societies continue to witness widening gaps between elites and working classes, paralleling the betrayal of the common animals by the pigs.
Cultural Revisionism and Control of History – Orwell’s depiction of the pigs rewriting history mirrors how certain organisations and leaders today seek to reshape narratives or suppress inconvenient facts.
Conclusion
Animal Farm remains a timeless critique of how revolutions can be subverted and how power, when unchecked, leads to oppression. Its allegory encourages readers in 2025 to remain vigilant against the manipulation of truth, the erosion of democratic principles, and the complacency that allows tyranny to emerge. Orwell’s core message—that those who do not critically examine authority risk repeating history—feels more urgent than ever.