Animal farm: A Fairy Story by George Orwell

George Orwell's 1945 novella, Animal Farm, is a classic in the realm of literature. It is both a narrative and allegorical tale, telling the story of a group of farm animals living on the farm of Farmer Jones, and how the animals battle for freedom. This work is widely known and widely studied, in English classes and in many other classes, due to the themes it tells and its usage of allegorical writing.

Animal Farm is set on a farm in England, and tells the story of the animals living there. The animals are lead by Old Major, an elderly boar, who, on his deathbed, calls a meeting in the barn and talks to the other animals about freedom and a new rule. After his death, two of the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, begin to lead the animals in their quest for freedom. Under their new rules, the animals all agree to treat each other as equals, and the animals work collectively to keep the farm running and support each other.

However, the other animals don't realize that Napoleon and Snowball have different ideas of what freedom and equality should be. Napoleon slowly begins to take control of the farm and writes the new laws, which specifically benefit the pigs. Under Napoleon's rule, the animals are commanded to obey the pigs without exception, and the pigs create a hierarchy which puts them far above the other animals. Additionally, the pigs start to use language and develop situations that manipulate the other animals into enabling the pigs’ rule. This exploitation of the animals is the driving force of the story.

The pigs' rule gets more and more oppressive, despite Snowball's attempts to create more equitable systems. When the humans, led by Farmer Jones, arrive to take back the farm and free the animals, the pigs and dogs fight them off with the support of the other animals. The animals successfully protect the farm and the animals’ new way of life, but their joy is short-lived. The pigs abuse their power even more, and the other animals' lives get worse and worse.

Animal Farm ends with the animals waking up to see the pigs walking on two legs. The animals had forgotten the original agreement - that all animals were supposed to be equal - and had become completely controlled and enslaved by the pigs. This powerful parable highlights the dangers of absolute power being given to an elite few, something Orwell felt was the cause of many of the troubles the world was facing in the 1940s and 50s.

Not only was Animal Farm a story that was highly relevant in its time, but its warnings and observations still hold true today. In this work, Orwell demonstrates that, despite the initial intention of a potential revolution, it can quickly devolve into an oppressive system due to the drive and ambition of those in power. He also reveals the signs and symptoms of systems of oppression, which is still an issue in the world today.

Animal Farm is an important work of literature, as it not only tells an entertaining narrative, but also illuminates important themes about democracy, rules, and the dangers of absolute power. For readers of all ages, Animal Farm is an enjoyable and enlightening story that is sure to leave a lasting impression.