Topic Name Banned Book Review

Book Name: Animal Farm by George Orwell
A few days ago, I completed Animal Farm by George Orwell. Known by his pen name,
George Orwell, Eric Arthur Blair was a distinguished English writer, essayist, journalist,
and critic. This thought-provoking novella, first released in England on August 17, 1945, is
a sharp dystopian satire that sheds light on the perils ingrained in specific political and
societal systems.
Contain: Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a politically charged allegory that
tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human master to form an
equality-based society. However, it would not take long for their idealistic vision of utopia
to be unraveled as the pigs, led by the shrewd Napoleon, subtly manipulated power to their
advantage. The novella informs about totalitarianism, corruption, propaganda, and the
betrayal of revolutionary ideals, conclusively showing how absolute power leads to
oppression. Animal Farm is a cautionary tale through incisive satire about the risks of
unchecked authority and ideological manipulation.
Subject, Aim, and Object: Animal Farm is a great satirical novella written by George
Orwell, which is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and of the Stalinist era.
First published on August 17, 1945, in England, the novella portrays the negative features
of totalitarianism and corrupted revolutionary ideals. Orwell sought to expose how power,
once it can be concentrated in the hands of a few, leads toward tyranny by using animals to
represent human societal dynamics. In some quarters, this book speaks to the oppressive
political system critiquing the then Stalinist Russia with a general warning over cyclic
corruption and exploitation in governance through its anthropomorphic characters.
The Author and His Purpose: George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair,
was a novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic from England. He was known for his intense
political acumen and his straightforward style of prose. He was a great opponent of
totalitarianism and social injustice. His life experiences, including fighting for the
republican cause in the Spanish Civil War, had an impact on everything he wrote. Firsthand
experience of how propaganda, manipulation, and betrayal of revolutionary ideals occurred
led to the writing of "Animal Farm."
The novella was basically written to warn the readers against the influence of absolute
power and political irony. Farmers were used by him to make it an easy thing for a great
majority to get simple ideas. He has also tried to denounce blind loyalty by the masses to
their leaders and ideologies and how easily the noble goals will get transformed into such
when one puts the emphasis on power instead of principle.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The best strength of this novella, however, is the allegorical
expression. It represents people and class of society through the characters created in
Animal Farm. Old Major represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin; Napoleon is Joseph
Stalin; Snowball stands for Leon Trotsky while Squealer is the allegory to propaganda
agents like Vyacheslav Molotov. Through these, Orwell portrays how revolutions are
capable of degenerating into oppressive regimes.
The novella is clear and easy to use. The tale becomes really engaging and yet thought
provoking since it uses animals in its telling. Most representative of the major theme of
double morality in leadership is one of the greatest phrases in it which state: "All animals
are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." In addition, the way these aspects
are represented also tends to make society's organization such that of the blind-following
sheep, with Benjamin the donkey being highly cynical about everything, thereby requiring
audiences to think about their own species' predispositions and tend encroachments.
Animal Farm, however, is not without its share of criticisms. In particular, one of the
complaints tends to be around its lack of developed characterization. Some characters, like
Napoleon and Snowball, are readily defined, but a variety of other animals remain largely
one-dimensional. Because of this, some events within the story tend to feel less significant,
because readers are not emotionally connected with those characters. It is a very short
novella, which makes it accessible, but of course, it reduces the extent to which certain
themes are explored.
Impression and Opinion: In my opinion, Animal Farm is a timeless classic

and a must-read for anyone interested in politics, history, or human behavior.
Orwell’s decision to use farm animals as characters is not only imaginative but
also highly effective in delivering his message. The story is both entertaining
and thought-provoking, making it a powerful critique of political corruption and
the betrayal of ideals.
I find the book’s language to be simple and clear, ensuring that its message is
easily understood by readers of all backgrounds. Despite its brevity, Animal
Farm manages to convey profound insights about the nature of power and its
potential for abuse. The novella’s relevance extends far beyond its initial
context, as the themes it explores are universally applicable to any society or
political system.
The character of Benjamin, the wise yet cynical donkey, stands out as
particularly compelling. His skepticism and awareness make him a unique voice
in the story, and his survival despite the purges highlights the complexity of his
role. Some have even suggested that Benjamin represents Orwell himself,
further deepening the connection between the author and his work.
Why the Book Was Banned:
Despite its literary significance, Animal Farm has faced censorship and bans in
various countries. The reasons for its banning include:
1. Defamation of Stalin: The book’s portrayal of Stalin as the tyrannical

pig Napoleon was deemed defamatory in countries aligned with the
Soviet Union.
2. Challenge to Communist Ideals: Its critique of communism and
totalitarianism was seen as a threat to pro-communist attitudes,
particularly during the Cold War era.
3. Religious Sensitivities: In some countries, including the United Arab

Emirates, the depiction of talking pigs was considered offensive to
Islamic values, leading to temporary bans.
4. Seditious Undertones: The book has been accused of encouraging

rebellion against organized states, as it portrays the masses revolting
against their rulers.
5. Classroom Challenges: In educational settings, phrases like “masses will

revolt” and the satirical depiction of leadership have sparked controversy,
with some arguing that the book promotes dissent.
Conclusion
The conclusion of Animal Farm underscores its central theme: the betrayal of
revolutionary ideals. The animals’ dream of an egalitarian society, free from
human oppression, is shattered as the pigs adopt the traits of the very humans
they overthrew. By the end, the animals are unable to distinguish between their
former human masters and their new pig leaders. The final scene, where the
pigs dine and play cards with humans, serves as a powerful indictment of
power’s corrupting influence.
Orwell’s ending highlights the dangers of concentrated and unchecked

authority. The novella’s critique of Stalinist Russia extends to all systems of
governance where power is abused. Animal Farm is not just a historical allegory
but also a universal warning about the fragility of freedom and equality.
In summary, George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a profound and enduring work

that continues to resonate with readers worldwide. Its insightful commentary on
power, corruption, and societal dynamics makes it a masterpiece of political
literature. Despite its challenges and controversies, the novella’s message
remains as relevant today as it was when first published. Its ability to provoke
thought and inspire reflection ensures its place as a timeless classic.

Topic Name Banned Book Review

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic Name Banned Book Review

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic Name Banned Book Review

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Book Name: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Impression and Opinion: In my opinion, Animal Farm is a timeless classic

Why the Book Was Banned:

1. Defamation of Stalin: The book’s portrayal of Stalin as the tyrannical

3. Religious Sensitivities: In some countries, including the United Arab

4. Seditious Undertones: The book has been accused of encouraging

5. Classroom Challenges: In educational settings, phrases like “masses will

Orwell’s ending highlights the dangers of concentrated and unchecked

In summary, George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a profound and enduring work

You might also like