Animal Farm Book Report l5y61

Book Report: Animal Farm Azizan Wazir, Block 4 The novel I have chosen is called Animal Farm by George Orwell. It was originally published on the 17th of August 1945 by Secker and Warburg. I chose Animal Farm as it is a dystopian, political novel. From the blurb, it reveals that this publication is about a ‘revolution that went wrong’ – a revolution by animals no less. It appealed to me as I wanted to know how such events would unfold. I expected it to use metaphorical devices to illustrate human issues. As George Orwell is the author, I also expected difficult language and implicit meanings to be interpreted throughout the text. In this text, Orwell used descriptive language mainly to describe emotions and some objects and actions, but has kept the vividness of each scene minimal (likely to leave the text open to interpretation of the individual). An example of descriptive language used in the context of emotions is in the line “complaining to anyone who would listen of the monstrous injustice he had suffered in being turned out of his property by a pack of good-for-nothing animals” (page 15, paragraph 1), referring to Mr Jones (original owner of Animal Farm [formerly known as Manor Farm]). Despite the fact that “monstrous injustice” is not a very difficult phrase to understand, as the words are not uncommon or of great difficulty, it is effective as it conveys a strong emotion in a concise form. Phrases such as “perpetually fighting” (page 15, paragraph 3) describes the entire scene imagined by the farmers in a condensed manner, such that it is abstract in detail, but vivid in meaning. Such utilisation of descriptive language allows for reader interpretation – they are free to imagine what they want, however they want it based on simple guidelines. One character I find appealing to me is ‘Snowball’. Snowball is a minor-major character who is most prominent in the first half of the book. Snowball, along with Napoleon and Squealer, are pigs. As with all other inhabitants of Animal Farm, they are literal animals. Snowball appears to be a steady speaker who is quite influential within his society. Napoleon and Snowball were said to be “by far the most active in the debates” (page 12, paragraph 3). He won the majority of votes at meetings due to “his brilliant speeches” (page 19, paragraph 1). In one instance, he had to explain why birds’ wings are not regarded as a ‘hand’ but rather a ‘leg’ (page 13, paragraph 5), which he did expertly and professionally even when the birds were oblivious to what he had said. I feel this is effective because Orwell not only tells us that Snowball is a good speaker, but rather he shows us too with a demonstration whereby Snowball actually convinced animals to think as he thinks. Snowball appears to be one of the few which do not follow the ‘sheep mentality’ of the residents of the farm. He is portrayed as a merciless and hard-core figure. “’No sentimentality, comrade!’ cried Snowball from whose wounds the blood was still dripping. ‘War is war. The only good human being is a dead one.’ (page 1, paragraph 4). This was spoken by Snowball to a horse which had just kicked a man to death. This appeals to me as effective as Snowball has

been inflicted with a wound and is still strong enough to preach his beliefs. A brutal, but respectable trait. One of the most prominent matters which novel touches is hypocrisy. The novel develops the severity of hypocrisy amongst the animals in a very gradual but noticeable manner. Near the start of the book (page 3, paragraph 4), Old Major says that “All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.” – Explicitly stating that the human race is not to be befriended and implying a communist like society he envisioned. As part of ‘The Seven Commandments’ on ‘Animal Farm’ (page 9, paragraph 4), it is stated that “All animals are equals” – as suggested by the line, “All animals are comrades”. However, as the book progresses, it is shown that the equality gradually fades. An order was given out that “… all the windfalls were to be collected and brought to the harness-room for the use of the pigs” (page 14, paragraph 2, 3). Napoleon and Snowball are then given an opportunity to have power over others through a democratic system by which one of the two would reign supremacy with the votes of the animals (page 20, paragraph 1). Later on in the book, ‘The Seven Commandments’ are erased and replaced with only one line (page 51, paragraph 11), “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS”. Some animals are then seen feasting with men – directly violating the original ‘Seven Commandments’. This is an issue of corruption. The corruption factor in this book is equally, if not more, important as/than the hypocrisy issue. Corruption is illustrated in this book explicitly. A fine example would be when Napoleon (another main character (a pig) in the book) ordered dogs to execute some animals. “When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out…” (Page 33, paragraph 1). This violates one of ‘The Seven Commandments’: No animal shall kill any other animal. But it was edited to read ‘No animal shall kill any other animal without reason’ (page 35, paragraph 1). An alteration which suited the needs of Napoleon – the dictator-like leader of Animal Farm. In another instance, another pig was caught drinking alcohol. This, once again, directly violates the commandment stating that “No animal shall drink alcohol.” – This was altered to read “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.” Again, a change to match the desires of the pigs. At the end of the book, the pigs are shown dining with men. The animals of lower intelligence have been taught to chant “FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BETTER.” Rather than the original “FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD.” The animal leaders, corrupted by power have twisted the ruling to their own benefit with little consideration for the animals under their care. I found reading this novel extremely enticing and interesting. The use of metaphorical devices in a literal sense (such as literal sheep portraying sheep mentality [“Four legs good, two legs better!” page 51, paragraph 7] where the sheep chant and repeat anything they are told) and the deep meaning behind the story (illustration of personal corruption and the effects it may have on a person) make the interpretation of the book both difficult and fun. Concepts of politics are portrayed in a simple and condensed manner – making it an accessible book for people of all ages and reading capabilities. I would definitely recommend this to my peers as it is