George Orwell, Animal Farm Review

Overall Rating

This is a classic and tells through symbolism the dangers of Socialism/Communism.

There are some parts with graphic violence and I warn the squeamish to stay away.

The animals live under the rule of Jones. In this state, they are treated unfairly. Major is very old and has recently had a dream about a world where animals are free from humans. He tells all the animals this and then teaches them a song called "Beasts of England." The animals start singing it immediately and love it. After Major dies a few days later, the animals start plotting their overthrow of Jones. This is not just because of Major's inspiration, but also because Jones has begun binge drinking and because of this, he is often forgetting to feed the animals. One day, when he and his hands again force the animals to work, they decide that they've had enough of Jones and drive all the humans off the farm. Upon their departure, Snowball paints the Seven Commandments on the wall, most of which are defied later by the pigs. This story uses symbolism to depict the events of the October Revolution and is something every adult should read.