A Book Review on "Animal Farm"

I had read this beautiful book 'Animal Farm' when I was in 10+2.. Had written a book review on this book for a newsletter two years back.. Just wanted to share the same, so posting that book review here..

BOOK REVIEW: Animal Farm By George Orwell

Animal Farm is a masterpiece by George Orwell and was published in year 1945. It is counted among the best ever English Language novel. This story is a reflection of real world circumstances which prevailed during the period of Russian Revolution and second world war and ridicules the political system existing all over the world. Story starts with Manor, an Animal Farm with a character called Mr. Jones as its owner who is in total control of the farm and all the animals living there. Needless to say, he makes the animals over work and in return, gives them little. This reflects the dictatorship in which rights of people were assaulted by the rulers. As it happens always, suppression results to revolution and same happened at the Animal Farm too.
  
The oldest pig, named Old Major assembles all animals in a meeting and tells them about a dream which he had and motivates them with his vision for a revolt against the owner of the farm. He tells them the value of freedom and the great change that the revolution would bring in their lives. He tells them of a day when all animals will live and work together with no human beings to control them. He went on to give them an inspiring song called "Beasts of England". And one fine night, the reigns of the farm was taken over by the animals as they chased off the owner Mr. Jones from the field. 


This great victory was followed by a whole sea of changes and for the proper functioning; responsibilities were assigned to each individual. And from here, things started taking a new face again. George Orwell has illustrated the real life scenario of a political system in a beautiful manner. How power makes the person act differently and how greed creeps in. Once having thrown the old owner, and after the death of Old Major, Pigs declared themselves as the decision makers and introduced new and unfair regulations, and then they went on to create a hierarchy in the society with Pigs being at the top of it. They ensured to have all comforts and make others believe that they’re doing the most tedious job, "thinking", which requires a lot of effort. So Pigs started deciding about the sort of work which’s to be done in the farm and finding out who will work where, will do what and who is best fitted for any particular role, which will be "best" for "society". They went on to establish a number of commandments supposedly based on the principle of Animalism but in reality were something entirely different. Various animals of the story symbolize a number of characters of real life. Pigs represent the wisest creatures and the shrewd politicians with all the power at their expense. They took all the decisions though they themselves didn’t do anything except conspiring to keep the animals from uniting. Cats represent the section that benefited most without any efforts just by cheap gimmicks like spreading rumors and praising the Pigs. Dogs represent the cold hearted brutal army who were ready to kill anyone just at the order of the Pigs. There is an excellent portrayal of a character Boxer, the horse who is blindly loyal to the decision makers and irrespective of the pains that he has to go through, his loyalty and mindset doesn't change and in the end he ends up paying with his life. Old donkey Benjamin reflects the wise and practical people who neither approve of the wrong deeds nor revolt.


Orwell has illustrated that though the face of exploiter changed, the plight of common people remained same as their interest took a backseat as soon as power came in the hand of people who had promised them a better life.


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P.S.: There are certain things in life which compel us to share it with people whom we know.. This book is one of those.. It is not simply a story book, it's an experience in itself! So I will mark it as a 'must read'.. I will be glad to share the eBook (PDF format) of this if  someone accosts me for it..