Animal Farm: A Timeless, Satirical Tale of Corruption.

 

Introduction: -

In the literary realm, certain books gallop into the collective consciousness with such force and finesse that their presence becomes everlasting, etching themselves into the annals of literary history. Among these, George Orwell's magnum opus, "Animal Farm," stands as a captivating allegory, both a scathing satire of human follies and a timeless tale of power and corruption. Embarking on this enthralling literary expedition, we find ourselves treading the trodden path of a fable that, even decades after its inception, continues to resonate profoundly with readers of all ages.

George Orwell & Animal Farm: -

George Orwell, a literary savant known for his unapologetic candor and piercing insight into the human condition, emerges as the brilliant architect behind the barnyard's uprising in "Animal Farm."
Orwell brilliantly makes us speculate and spectate as the reader, as we encounter the entire uprising. Orwell entangles us, our thoughts, and our wits; as he weaves a tapestry of political intrigue by crafting a world that is simultaneously familiar and fantastical.

Together, we shall delve into the mesmerizing world of "Animal Farm," where the beasts of the field bear the burden of representing far more than their humble origins would suggest.

Brief Summary: -

Farm Animals can be considered one of George Orwell’s Finest works, not because it is about an old countryside theme, not because it deals with the critical aspects of the then USSR regime, but because it does both, and that too in a witty, intertwined fashion which is nothing short of an accomplishment.

The story is set at Mr. Jones Manor’s Farm, which is the home of several domestic animals, who stay there to keep a roof over their head, but for Mr. Jones, they are a good source of income and resources.

The story revolves around the doings and actions of 3 pigs, namely Old Major, Snowball and Napoleon.

Old Major was a visionary, a dreamer who dreamt of a utopian world for all animals, where they’d live free from the exploitations of their human masters, and would be the masters of their own fate.

 However, Mr. Major died soon after the gathering he had conducted to talk about his visions to his fellow animal family, but he had succeeded, succeeded in implanting that idea of freedom, that idea of a paradise in the minds of two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, who were convicted to make this dream a reality.

Snowball and Napoleon got their golden moment when one day Mr. Jones forgot to feed the animals. Blinded by hunger and the rage that it brews, both the pigs were able to convince other animals to help them in their cause and bring about the first animal revolution in history, overthrowing their human master and taking charge of the farm, and their destiny in their own hands.

The animals were successful, and Manor Farm was christened as Animal Farm to mark their victory and instill that in the hearts of all animals and humans alike. The rules and regulations were changed and the Seven Commandments of Animalism, a moral code which was supposed to be followed by all animals alike, was painted on the barn wall.

The post-rebellion life of the animals resembles the lifespan of any great civilization that was birthed from a violent duel between two opposing forces, there is rise, and then there is fall.

The rise was quite beautiful, the animals completed the harvest themselves, meet regularly to discuss policies and talk with their supervisors, the Pigs. But soon, money started showing it’s influence and Napoleon got corrupted, starting to steal the cow’s milk and apples. He also appointed a pig named Squealer to persuade other animals to never question the judgement of the pigs.

Animal farm faced several hurdles and issues. In Fall the animals had to face an attack from Jones but successfully defended their farm, thanks to the tactics of Snowball. Snowball thought about the well-being of animals and proposed plans to give them more leisure time and ease of living, but was opposed by Napoleon since he was starting to see other animals as mere cattle to be exploited. In the end, snowball was chased off the farm forever on orders of napoleon, and was used by napoleon as a scapegoat, to be blamed for all hardships and problems.

Napoleons lust for Power keeps on increasing, and the fall of Animal farm starts. Napoleon goes on to become a totalitarian, exploiting innocent animals, even killing them in front of others to instill fear in his subjects. He starts to put himself in Jone’s Shoes and starts living as humans, even trading with neighboring farms.

 Even the Seven Commandments are corrupted, alcohol is made part of their culture. Napoleon even started selling off faithful animals, such as Boxer the Horse, who got exhausted during building the new windmill to a boiler for money, and lied to the animals by saying he died a peaceful death at a veterinary hospital.

Ultimately, the Animal Farm develops and expands its boundaries, but the profits are shared only by the Pigs, and the misery is shared by other animals. The Seven Commandments are dissolved and reduced to a single law, that All Animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.

As the story ends, the last scene involves the pigs’ playing cards with the owner of their neighboring farm, and as the Farm residents see them, they cannot distinguish them from humans, and the name of Animal farm is again changed to Manor Farm.

Relevance: -

Originally penned in 1945, this allegorical tale of a revolutionary barnyard has transcended its time, presenting a vivid portrayal of political dynamics that still strikes a resonant chord in the present day.

Upon its initial release, "Animal Farm" served as a sharp critique of the Soviet Union and its transformation from a revolutionary socialist state to a totalitarian regime under Joseph Stalin's iron grip. Orwell's witty portrayal of the farm animals, each representing a faction of Soviet society, mirrored the rise of dictators and the pitfalls of oppressive ideologies. The farm's idealistic vision of equality swiftly erodes, as the ruling elite, led by the cunning pigs, consolidate power, exploiting the hard work of the masses for their own advantage.

Fast forward to the present time, and the essence of "Animal Farm" continues to endure. The story's relevance remains intact, as it mirrors the cyclical nature of politics and human ambition. We see echoes of the farm's leadership in contemporary political arenas, where leaders often promise equality and progress, only to succumb to the allure of unchecked authority.

Today, as we look back in history just to see numerous and repeating examples of power, corruption, and exploitation. Still, many of us fail to recognize the corruption that is still going on. Orwell has written a satire on us, the working class who fail to recognize or tends to ignore the problems we are being subjected to as the opportunist pigs are above us.

It acts as a cautionary tale against the erosion of democratic values, where leaders, much like the pigs, can manipulate language to consolidate their authority and undermine the very principles they claim to champion. Orwell deftly highlights how language can be weaponized, with the pigs' slogan "Four legs good, two legs bad" being transformed into the more sinister "Four legs good, two legs better" as the pigs embrace the ways of their human adversaries. In the era of social media and digital echo chambers, the potency of Orwell's message is even more pronounced, urging us to critically analyse the information we receive and challenge those in power when their actions contradict their words.

Personal Takes: -

Hrishit’s Take.

Animal farm is a tale that has managed to captivate me with its story telling and its allegorical brilliance. The book has successfully stirred within me - thoughts, which both challenges and accepts; reality (to me), by raising questions, but not to look for their answers, instead just to encounter more such questions. The void of never knowing the truth has always been gnawing at me, ever since I held that book in my hands.

What I loved the most about the story is how, even the most loyal and kind ventures can become completely devoid of the virtue that it once contained, after getting contaminated with power. Power along with misguidance, led to exploitation, then corruption, then the goals began to change, and the truth which was once relevant lost to the shambles of corruption.

I really found the Napolean vs Snowball dynamics really funny while reading the book. The story has so many arcs in it, and it really did shock me when I could inherently be familiar and sometimes aware of an incident, which draws parallel to the story in the recent times.

Despite providing a satirical depiction about the history of the Soviet Union, Animal Farm; in the modern era - the story becomes a poignant and cautionary tale, resonating with the disillusionment of the modern era. Animal Farm, while steeped in historical context, remains a timeless and relevant work of literature that continues to provoke critical reflection and introspection into the human condition.

Viplove’s Take.

There are a lot of things about Animal Farm, which not only appealed to me substantially at a psychological level, but also an essence of satire and comical narrative which stopped this tale from becoming a brilliant dark piece of literature, and made that dark aspect an undertone to the tale instead of a largely exposed idea.

Coming on to the psychological impacts of this tale and dissecting them, the thing that I liked the most was the subtle relation between humans and animals as presented by Mr. Orwell, and the associated contradictory natures they both possess, humans tend to be inhumane most of the time, and animals who were convicted to become better than their masters went on to become worse than them, for they their masters betrayed and exploited them, but they exploited, lied to their own kind and belittled the principles they themselves had established.

This tale might give out a smell of hopelessness or pessimism, but to me it is what it actually was supposed to be, I believe, and that, is a Tale, the child of someone’s creativity and imagination, for this is tale written by a man who considered animals to act like man when they’d get a chance, but can we be so sure that primitive organisms, when given a chance, would act with the savagery and inhumanity we exercise, the so-called epitome of evolution. Would they also commit the same horrors we commit on our own kind when we are corrupted by greed and envy? Who knows.

Conclusion: -

In conclusion, the enduring political relevance of "Animal Farm" lies in its ability to transcend time and place, offering profound insights into the dynamics of power, leadership, and human nature. As we navigate the complexities of the present, Orwell's timeless tale serves as a compass, guiding us through the tumultuous waters of politics with unwavering wit and wisdom. Let us heed its warning and embrace its lessons, ensuring that the farm's fate remains confined to the realm of fiction, and not an eerie reflection of our own reality.

Connect with the writers: -

Hrishit Pandey (prakarmisheena@gmail.com)

Viplove Tyagi (viplovepvt@gmail.com)