Animal Farm By George Orwell

 Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 2

In my previous post I wrote about 'Anthem' which is related to communism somewhat but talks more of individualism against collectivism. The terms seem confusing but if you look up these words in the dictionary you will understand better.

 I would like to clarify some things about individualism that Ayn Rand talks about. Since I have read her other book I know what her philosophy is about. Individualism doesn't mean total isolation from everyone and their thoughts. Individualism is rather freedom of thought wherein people can have their own thoughts and opinions even conflicting thoughts and still maintain healthy relationship with one another. No where she talks about right or wrong thoughts. On the other hand collectivism is acting on collective thought of group of people. It is like giving more weight-age to other peoples opinion rather than your own thoughts. So in short individualism is having your own thoughts and ideas and collectivism is advertising other group of peoples thoughts as your own. Although I disagree with most of her ideas/philosophy I liked the idea of having our own thoughts.

Animal Farm By George Orwell

 The second book about communism and totalitarianism I would like to write about is Animal Farm by George Orwell. George Orwell is an English author who is famous for his two books related to politics, one of them is Animal Farm. Animal Farm is a political allegory.

The characters in this novel are mostly animals. The book was written in 1945 so it will be fair to assume it talks about some political situation during those days.

The story is about a rebellion that takes place in a farm in England under the leaderships of pigs (Napoleon and Snowball and others) inspired by the idea of rebellion sowed in their minds by the old Major(another pig). The main cause of rebellion was farm owner (human) who forgot to feed the animals properly. The old Major who was wise planted the idea of rebellion in the minds of those animals before he died. 

Once the rebellion took place and the humans were expelled, the animals were clear about the purpose of the rebellion in the beginning. Pigs(Napoleon and Snowball mainly) being intelligent among the animals took over as the new leaders of the farm. Their motto was "All Animals are Equal"  and they rejected all the luxuries that man had like house, bed, alcohol etc. They grew food themselves on the farm with each animal contributing to it.

I would like to mention some characters before going further, Benjamin the donkey and Boxer the well built horse. Boxer was a strong horse but least intelligent one. He was respected universally for his steadiness of character and hard work. Benjamin was worst tempered and rarely talked to anyone except for some cynical remarks. He considered Boxer as his friend even though they talked rarely. They could be seen grazing side by side and never speaking. The pigs Napoleon and Snowball always disagreed with one another. Snowball had grand ideas for the welfare of animals but more often than not Napoleon opposed it.

They formed committees(Egg production committee for hens and so on) for their welfare and to make sure each animal contributed. The animals toiled in the field and the yield that year was good. Everything was good and all animals were benefited. But slowly there was a divide among animals who supported Napoleon and Snowball. Napoleon succeeded in chasing away Snowball using nine dogs he had reared secretly since they were puppies. Another pig squealer canvassed support for Napoleon among animals using his intelligence tactfully.

Animal Farm Cover

Napoleon changed everything, ideals of rebellion were now blurred. Whenever there was an opposition the animals responsible were executed cruelly. The commandments of rebellion was slowly changed with time. Most animals even lost memory of the purpose of the rebellion. All rations were reduced, the animal were starving while the leaders seemed to have enough to fill their stomach. Animals were not equal anymore. The motto was rewritten as "All Animals are Equal. But some Animals are more Equal than others". At this point Napoleon became the supreme leader whose words were final. 

The author seems to refer to the fact that what started as rebellion with honest communist tendencies turned into a cruel totalitarian regime with time and selfishness of the characters involved.

I would like to mention boxers story here. Boxer was the strongest animal in the farm who toiled every day. Here never took a day's off  even if he was sick. He was the most loyal worker who never questioned the leader. As years passed he became weak and had to be taken care of. The retirement age and old age welfare schemes were well written in the rule book of animals in the farm. But animals close to Boxer even Benjamin could take care of him only after their working hours for the day was over. Then one day a van came and took Boxer away. Most of the animals thought that Boxer was being taken to veterinary hospital for further treatment as promised by the pigs but only Benjamin read the letters on the van- "Alfred Simmonds,Horse Slaughter and Glue Boiler". Most people today can relate to boxer.

It is an allegory so everyone can interpret something from it and it need not be the same as others.

Conclusion: 

It's a great book. The characters are well written. A short book worth reading at least once.

My ratings on goodreads.

If you haven't read other posts in the series check this :

Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 1

Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 3