an essay on animal farm

Skip to main content
Skip to secondary menu
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Animal Farm Essay | Essay on Animal Farm for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Animal Farm Essay: George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” published in 1945 brought him worldwide fame as a writer of political allegory. Through the novel, George Orwell tells us about the problems of the Russian revolution (1917) and the rise to power of Joseph Stalin and its oppressive communist state.

One of the main ideas of the novel is about the abuse of power. The phrase ‘power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power often leads to corruption. There cannot be equality under totalitarian rule.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Animal Farm for Students and Kids in English

We provide the students with essay samples on animal farm essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the same reference.

Long Essay on Animal Farm 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Animal Farm is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The novel starts by introducing us to a setting where one night all the animals at Mr Jones Manor Farm gather together to hear old Major an old – well-respected boar pig’s dream.

He described that all animals should be free from the tyranny of their human masters. They should all start an uprising against Mr Jones and other human beings. After that meeting, old Major died.

The philosophy of animalism inspired all the animals of the farm: the plot starts with the main two characters of the novel two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball are successful in doing so, and a revolution occurs, and Mr Jones and his men from the farm. Initially, the rebellion is a huge success, and the animal farm prospers.

Pigs, because of their intelligence, became the supervisors of the farm. Napoleon emerges as a greedy, selfish influential leader. Napoleon would steal the cow’s milk and apples to feed himself and other pigs, and he had even entrusted Squealer, a pig with the ability to pursue other animals that pigs are always morally correct. They had to justify the action and decision of Napoleon. There was a fight between Napoleon and Snowball fought to gain power and influence over the farm. Napoleon then emerges as the leader of the farm, and his lust for power increases to a point where he became a dictator.

Napoleon himself led a luxurious life in Mr Jone’s house, and the other animals of the farm led a harsh life, and they received less and less food, while the pigs grew fatter. Years passed, and the animal farm expanded its boundaries more and more after Napoleon purchased fields from neighbouring farm.

Napoleon and the pigs rewrite the written and oral histories of the farm in addition to the slogans, songs, commandments and poems to serve their needs and maintain their authority. The pigs’ catchphrases brainwashed the other animals to such an extent that even if the dogs kill dozens of animals to supposedly having conspired with Snowball, no one questions Napoleon’s leadership.

Many readers believe that Orwell tried to show Animal Farm as an influence of the Russian revolution due to the naming of the pigs, the story’s plot and the condition of the farm. The pig experiences different types of struggles in the story. One of the conflicts is separating the pigs from the rest of the animals, which represents a large-scale man vs culture conflict on the farm, and these explain how oppression arises from manipulation. The conflicts are solved by Napoleon’s deception, cruelty and deviousness.

Short Essay on Animal Farm 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Animal Farm is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Through the novel, the writer George Orwell conveys the message of how selfish, political leaders work only for their vested interests and consolidate power, and take away the civil and political rights of the people.

Ignorance and uneducated masses can be easily manipulated, oppressed and controlled under an authoritarian rule. The characters of the novel reflect the political figure of the time and the unjust and oppressive regime of Stalin.

Most of the events in the story have some significance with the Russian revolution (1917). Through ‘Animal Farm’ George Orwell tells us that in communism, most of the political leader misused their excessive power and that corruption may turn into violence as it was in the animal farm.

In the same way in the novel, Napoleon misused his power, cheated the animals and deprived them of their freedom and welfare and invaded the laws just as it happened in the then Soviet Union under the leadership of Stalin.

10 Lines on Animal Farm in English

The novel tells about the dangers of totalitarian rule.
He argues that after a revolution should power should not be concentrated in the hands of a single individual.
Absolute power will corrupt the leaders and turn them dictatorial and self-interested tyrants.
George Orwell supports this idea through the character Napoleon who become very greedy and self-centred and turned into a dictator.
Moreover, they corrupted the ideas of animalism.
When the other members of the farm realised this, it became too late, and they were
The novel reflects the idea of abuse of power.
George Orwell uses animal characters to demonstrate humans and their abuse of power.
George Orwell, in the novel, highlights the importance of education.
The writer feels that education is the right mean to fights against injustice and abuse of power to live in a healthy society.

FAQ’s on Animal Farm Essay

Question 1. What is the moral lesson of the Animal Farm Essay?

Answer: The main moral lesson of animal farm is that “Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely”. Throughout the novel, we see how Napolean gradually became all power and ultimately misused power.

Question 2. What was the purpose of the novel Animal Farm written by George Orwell?

Answer: The purpose of the novel ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell was to satirise the then communist government of Joseph Stalin.

Question 3. Why is Animal Farm important?

Answer: The novel ‘Animal Farm’ is important because it throws lights on the potential dangers of totalitarian rule.

Question 4. Why is Animal Farm a fable?

Answer: The novel ‘Animal Farm’ is a fable because, in, the novel, the writer uses animal characters to reflect the political realities of his time.

Picture Dictionary
English Speech
English Slogans
English Letter Writing
English Essay Writing
English Textbook Answers
Types of Certificates
ICSE Solutions
Selina ICSE Solutions
ML Aggarwal Solutions
HSSLive Plus One
HSSLive Plus Two
Kerala SSLC
Distance Education

Animal Farm

Introduction to animal farm ‎, summary of animal farm, major themes in animal farm, major characters in animal farm, writing style of animal farm, analysis of literary devices in animal farm .

Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, All must toil for freedom’s sake. Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken well and spread my tidings Of the golden future time. (Chapter-1)

No animal shall wear clothes. No animal shall sleep in a bed. No animal shall drink alcohol. No animal shall kill any other animal. (Chapter-II)

Post navigation.

Illustration of the silhouette of a man with an arm outstretched inside of the silhousette of a pig

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Sample Essay Outlines

Sample Analytical Paper Topics The following paper topics are designed to test your understanding of the novel as a whole and to analyze important themes and literary devices. Following each question is a sample outline to help get you started.

Topic #1 “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This statement by Lord Acton, sent in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton on April 5, 1887, provides the basis for understanding the effects of power on the heads of state, and it furnishes insight into one of the main themes in the novel Animal Farm. Write a paper that shows how power affects the characters, the events and the outcome of the book.

Outline I. Thesis Statement: Animal Farm is a historical novel, set in England but dealing with the events leading up to and after the Russian Revolution of 1917. It illustrates the idea expressed by Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This abuse of power can be demonstrated by studying Napoleon’s actions in the book .

II. Power on Animal Farm before the Rebellion A. Man has absolute power, taking without producing B. Jones operates the Manor Farm with no regard for his animals 1. Animals aren’t fed 2. Animals are slaughtered 3. No animal lives its life to a natural end 4. Animal families are broken up by the sale of the young

III.The Meeting A. Old Major holds the key to power: eliminate man B. The pigs are the leaders even before the Rebellion 1. They are more clever than the others 2. They are assertive, sitting in the front at the meeting 3. They teach themselves to read 4. They are the organizers forming various animal committees.

IV. The Rebellion A. Elimination of man creates a “power vacuum” B. Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer become the new leaders that fill the vacuum C. Pigs get special privileges—milk and apples

V. The Harvest A. Pigs are the supervisors B. They make the work schedules C. They move into the harness room D. Special privileges for the pigs are said to be necessary to keep Jones away

VI. The Windmill A. Napoleon and Snowball vie for control of the farm B. Napoleon eliminates the competition 1. He uses the dogs to expel Snowball 2. Squealer discredits Snowball C. Napoleon assumes the power to run Animal Farm

VII. Changes on Animal Farm A. Trade with the humans 1. The arrival of Mr. Whymper 2. The sale of a stack of hay 3. The sale of part of the wheat crop 4. Contract to sell eggs B. Pigs move into farmhouse C. Change in the Fourth Commandment concerning beds by the addition of the phrase “with sheets.” D. An end to voting at the Sunday meetings E. The pigs become responsible for making all the work decisions

VIII. Force Equals Power A. Mutiny of the Hens who object to the sale of their eggs 1. Starved out by Napoleon 2. Ended by unleashing the dogs B. The “Great Purge” 1. Animal leaders opposed to Napoleon’s policies are killed by the dogs 2. Boxer comes under attack for questioning Napoleon’s condemnation of Snowball

IX. More Changes A. Changes in the Sixth Commandment allow Napoleon to kill other animals by adding the words “without cause.” B. Fifth Commandment allows the pigs to drink by the addition of the phrase “to excess” to the original Commandment

X. Napoleon Sells Boxer to the Knacker

XI. Return to “The Manor Farm” A. Pigs are in complete control B. They are the new aristocracy 1. They do no physical labor 2. Pigs carry whips 3. School is built for the baby pigs C. Animals can’t tell the difference between man and pig

Topic #2 Animal Farm presents a classic blueprint for an individual’s rise to power. It presents a step by step recipe for dictatorship and control. Write a paper that outlines the methods used by Napoleon and the pigs of their takeover of Animal Farm.

Outline I. Thesis Statement: Animal Farm presents a recipe for dictatorship and control. The steps taken by Napoleon have been used by dictators from Julius Caesar to Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin to achieve their ambitions .

II. Organization A. Develop a core of devout followers willing to die for the cause B. Develop a belief system—Animalism C. Identify a common enemy—man

III. Education A. The pigs teach themselves to read and write B. The other animals are kept ignorant

IV. Blind Obedience A. The sheep—“Four legs good, two legs bad.” B. The dogs—They are devoted to Napoleon C. Boxer—“Napoleon is always right.”

V. Propaganda A. Slanted and false information—Squealer’s ability to convince the animals—turn black into white B. Rewriting history C. Campaign against Snowball D. Changing the rules E. Changing the Seven Commandments

VI. Fear A. The fear of Jones’s return B. Fear of the dogs

VII. Eliminate the Competition A. Running Snowball off the farm B. Eliminating the troublemakers 1. Killing the hen leaders of the mutiny 2. Killing the pigs who protest the end of the meetings

VIII. Scapegoating—Identify the cause of all the problems A. Man—Frederick and Pilkington B. Snowball—Jones’s agent

IX . Force—Use of the dogs

Topic #3 Animal Farm is a study of a dream betrayed. It begins with hope and it ends with despair. And although some things seem to change, the important things remain the same. Life for the animals only gets worse. Write a report that shows how and why this statement is true.

Outline I. Thesis Statement: Animal Farm is the study of a dream betrayed. It begins with hope for the animals and ends with their miserable lives getting even worse .

II. Old Major’s Dream A. Man is the enemy B. Eliminate man and life will be better C. Work for the Rebellion D. Avoid becoming like man when the Rebellion is achieved

III. The Rules for Utopia A. Animalism B. Equality C. The unalterable Seven Commandments

IV. Cracks in the Dream A. Preferential treatment for the pigs B. Napoleon and Snowball struggle for power C. Division of labor 1. The workers—Boxer and the others 2. The supervisors—the pigs

V. Abuses of Power A. The expulsion of Snowball B. Unleashing the dogs C. Creating fear D. Using force

VI. Changes in the Rules A. Altering the unalterable Commandments B. Rewriting history for Napoleon’s personal glory C. Destroying Snowball’s contributions

VII. Selling out the Dream A. Engaging in trade B. Selling the eggs and murdering the chickens C. Selling out Boxer for money to buy whiskey

VIII. The Pig-Men A. Walking on two legs B. Turning into men

Cite this page as follows:

"Animal Farm - Sample Essay Outlines." MAXnotes to Animal Farm, edited by Dr. M. Fogiel, Research and Education Association, Inc., 2000, 3 Sep. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/animal-farm/critical-essays/sample-essay-outlines>

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Already a member? Log in here.

Critical Context

Critical Evaluation

Animal Farm

Animal Farm, by English author George Orwell, is a fable that uses a barnyard setting to represent the Russian Revolution and explores themes of class and power. Read the overview below to gain an understanding of the work and explore the previews of analysis and criticism that invite further interpretation.

Access Through Your Library >>

Topic Home | Social Issues | Literature | Lifelong Learning & DIY | World History

Animal farm topic overview.

"Animal Farm: An Overview." Gale Essential Overviews: Scholarly, Gale, 2015.

In his short novel Animal Farm (1945), English author George Orwell (1903–50) allegorizes the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the tsarist autocracy was pushed out and the Bolsheviks came into power, and the revolution's incremental betrayal of its supporters under dictator Joseph Stalin (1879–1953). Drawing on fable conventions, Orwell tells a farmyard story, casting revolutionary leaders Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924), Leon Trotsky (1879–1940), and Stalin as pigs, which—along with other common farm animals such as horses and hens—rebel against the tyranny of tsar-like farmer Mr. Jones. Set on a small English farm, the novel follows a collective of working animals that, as the pigs exploit them anew, toil pathetically day after day in the belief that they are remaking the farm as a republic.

Orwell wrote Animal Farm toward the end of World War II (1939–45), when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was being hailed by the Allied forces (including the British) for its decisive victories over Nazi Germany at Stalingrad (1942–43) and Kursk (1943). As such, he had difficulty finding a publisher prepared to offend Russian sensibilities. Gollancz and Faber and Faber, among other publishing houses, rejected the book outright. London publisher Jonathan Cape came close to printing it but was persuaded to reject the work by a Ministry of Information official later presumed to have been a Soviet spy. In spite of this reluctance, when it was finally released in England by Secker and Warburg in 1945, the novel was a runaway success, as it was the following year in the United States—no doubt helped by the dissolution of wartime alliances and the first rumblings of the Cold War. Regarded by many as Orwell's finest work, and certainly his first truly popular one, Animal Farm has long been ranked as among the best books of the twentieth century.

Historical and literary context

Following the revolution, the Russian Communist Party recast the former empire as a federation of republics with governments informed by the socialist principles of German philosopher Karl Marx (1818–83). Initially under the leadership of Lenin, Soviet Russia then entered an era of reconstruction, during which it privatized all aspects of the economy and attempted to control any forms of dissent to its Marxist-Leninist goals. After Lenin's death, Stalin effected a coup from within the Communist Party, and, although making a dogma of Marxist-Leninism, he turned the party into a properly totalitarian apparatus. During what is referred to as the Great Purge, millions of enemies of the state were executed or sent to forced-labor camps. Meanwhile, hasty attempts to modernize the peasant agriculture brought on deathly famines. Animal Farm retells this history metaphorically—in the sly maneuverings of the boar, Napoleon, to oust his rivals and take control of the farm; in his forcing the animals to build an electricity-generating windmill, which leaves no time for food production; and in his purges of alleged traitors to the animals' revolution against Mr. Jones.

The novel begins with Lenin (some say Marx or a Lenin-Marx composite), Trotsky, and Stalin figured in the characters of Old Major, Snowball, and Napoleon, respectively—pigs on a farm where animals are bred to produce (like the hens), to labor (like the cart horses), and to be fattened for slaughter (like the pigs). Old Major rouses the animals to rebel against the “tyranny of man,” and the Russian Revolution is satirized as a scrap between Mr. Jones and his animals. The animals, victorious, take over, and with a newfound sense of dignity set about everyday tasks such as harvesting hay. However, the pigs have only just posted the “seven commandments of Animalism,” including the tenet that “all animals are equal,” when they opt out of the hard labor and appropriate exclusively for themselves the comforts of the farmhouse. Here, what culminates in Napoleon's dictatorship tragically inflects the lives of the common animals, who continue to toil in the belief that they are forging Old Major's republic.

Bunt (1924) by Polish novelist Wladyslaw Stanislaw Reymont (1867–1925) bears a remarkable resemblance to Animal Farm , although it is not clear whether Orwell knew of the work. The novel allegorizes the same revolution with a story of farmyard animals rebelling against their human masters in a struggle for equality that ends in terror and oppression. Orwell's next novel after Animal Farm , Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), offers a comparably symbolic—if more realistic—vision of everyday life impoverished culturally and politically by a Stalinesque regime. The fearful preoccupation with Stalinism also informs Orwell's Homage to Catalonia (1938), a nonfiction account of his experience in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) fighting for a leftist militia.

In addition to pleasing popular audiences, Animal Farm appealed to political conservatives who recognized its value as a propaganda tool for discouraging socialist affiliations. Thus the Central Intelligence Agency clandestinely funded the 1954 animated film adaptation by John Halas (1912–95) and Joy Batchelor (1914–91), which was also the first feature-length animated film in English cinema history. Critics in the early twenty-first century have been just as attentive to Orwell's politics, yet there has been a greater tendency to acknowledge the novel as a work of politically informed art rather than of mere propaganda.

Themes and style

The grand theme of Animal Farm has to do with the capacity for ordinary individuals to continue to believe in a revolution that has been utterly betrayed. Orwell attempts to reveal how those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic promise of the revolution. The emotional force of the novel comes from the author's depictions of those ordinary animals who unthinkingly give themselves in good faith to working for the very system by which they are ruthlessly exploited. A case in point is Boxer, one of two cart horses among the pigs' “most faithful disciples.” The horses “had great difficulty in thinking anything out for themselves, but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers, they absorbed everything that they were told, and passed it on to the other animals.” Whether harvesting hay or fetching stones from the quarry, Boxer works harder than any other animal, yet still he adopts the motto “I will work harder.” So selfless is he in his service, in fact, that he works himself close to death. At this point Napoleon, while purporting to send him to the hospital, sells him to the slaughterhouse, then spends the money from his corpse on whiskey for the pigs.

The novel develops according to a recognizable dramatic pattern that underscores the tragedy of what it means to never lose faith in a betrayed revolution. For example, when the animals participate in the so-called Battle of the Cowshed, they witness Snowball decorated as “Animal Hero, First Class” for distinguishing himself in battle against Jones. Napoleon later revises the history with contradictory details—announcing that Snowball actually fought alongside Jones against the animals. When the animals resist the new story, the pig Squealer (a master deceiver) convinces them that their memories are faulty. This pattern of firsthand experience superseded by revisionist propaganda underscores the tragedy, as Orwell sees it, of ordinary individuals who forego their better judgment in letting a totalitarian regime dictate a false reality.

Orwell chose a difficult genre—the fable, often equated with children's literature—to offer a complex critique of one of the most problematic regimes in modern history. He succeeds by capturing both realistically and amusingly the characteristics of many of the animals and by convincing the reader that these characteristics lend themselves, at least metaphorically, to understanding human life in the totalitarian context. Rather than simply mocking his subjects, Orwell suggests that there is indeed something beastly about them: that there is something sheep-like about those who learn dogma by rote (who bleat “two legs bad, four legs good!” or “four legs good, two legs better!” interchangeably), something dog-like about secret police trained to attack on command, and something horse-like about those who unthinkingly give themselves body and soul to the bankrupt cause.

Critical discussion

Animal Farm was released to critical acclaim. Writing for the New York Times , historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. hailed it as “a simple story perhaps, but a story of deadly simplicity … [a] superbly controlled and brilliantly sustained satire.” Not everyone agreed with Schlesinger, however. Writer and critic W. J. Turner, for instance, thought the novel was marred by “pessimism” and accused Orwell of being “grossly unfair to Stalin in his account of him as ‘Napoleon.’” Still, the fact that the novel has been a staple in classrooms for generations suggests that critics like Turner did not have the last say.

Writing in 1989, activist-scholar John Molyneux (1948–) summed up Animal Farm as “probably the most popular and influential piece of literary propaganda produced in English, perhaps in any language, this century.” Molyneux claimed it was “likely that far more people have learned what they know of the fate of the Russian Revolution from here than from any other source.” In his introduction to a 2003 edition of the novel (with Nineteen Eighty-Four ), essayist and critic Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011) confirmed Animal Farm 's distinction as “the twentieth century's most successful satire.” As Hitchens and Molyneux both make clear, although the novel has long appealed to younger readers with scant knowledge of Soviet history, the book's legacy rests on its political force.

Indeed, Orwell scholars continue to read the novel for its political insights. Discussing The Rule of the Pigs , Oleg Minich's 2005 cartoon adaptation of Animal Farm , Olena Nikolayenko insisted in her 2007 essay in PS: Political Science and Politics that the book speaks profoundly to contemporary crises in and for democracy—in Minich's case, in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus. Other twenty-first-century scholars similarly return to Animal Farm to think through enduring political issues. David Dwan, for instance, in an ELH ( English Literary History ) article, considered Orwell's treatment of equality as a means of probing contemporary practices under Western democracy that do not always live up to prevailing ideals. Meanwhile, scholars such as Paul Kirschner have tried to reclaim the text as not only a political but also a literary work, reminding readers of Orwell's own declared intention “to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole.”

Dwan, David. “Orwell's Paradox: Equality in ‘ Animal Farm .’” ELH: English Literary History 79.3 (2012): 655–83.
Kirschner, Paul. “The Dual Purpose of ‘ Animal Farm .’” Review of English Studies 55.222 (2004): 759–86.
Molyneux, John. “ Animal Farm Revisited.” International Socialism Journal 2.44 (1989): 99–112. Print.
Nikolayenko, Olena. “Web Cartoons in a Closed Society: Animal Farm as an Allegory of Post-Communist Belarus.” PS: Political Science and Politics 40.2 (2007): 307–10.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm and 1984. Introduction by Christopher Hitchens. New York: Harcourt, 2003. Print.
Schlesinger, Arthur M., Jr. “Mr. Orwell and the Communists: His ‘ Animal Farm ’ Is a Compassionate and Illuminating Fable for Our Times.” New York Times 25 Aug. 1946: 124+.
Turner, W. J. “How It Happened.” Rev. of Animal Farm , by George Orwell. Spectator 17 Aug. 1945: 156–57.

Orwellian Comedy

This article examines the role of humor in George Orwell's work. The discussion of Animal Farm touches on Orwell's use of allegory and considers tension between light comedy and politcal satire reflected in the text.

Appreciating Animal Farm in the New Millennium

This article explores the history of Animal Farm's publication and initial reception, as well as the literary tropes at work in George Orwell's famous political satire; and considers how contemporary film adaptation has helped twenty-first-century readers gain a new understanding of the text.

Looking for information on other topics?

Access Through Your Library >>

Essay on Animal Farm

Students are often asked to write an essay on Animal Farm in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Animal Farm

Introduction.

Animal Farm is a novel by George Orwell. It’s a tale about a group of animals who overthrow their human farmer to establish an independent farm.

The story is filled with symbolism. The animals represent different social classes, and the farm symbolizes a state or a country.

Animal Farm explores themes like power, corruption, and inequality. It shows how power can corrupt individuals and lead to unfair societies.

In conclusion, Animal Farm is a powerful critique of power and corruption. It encourages readers to question authority and strive for fair societies.

250 Words Essay on Animal Farm

“Animal Farm,” a novel by George Orwell, is a profound allegory that uses animals to depict the tumultuous era of the Russian Revolution. This masterpiece is replete with sophisticated themes and symbolism, making it a compelling read for college students.

Symbolism and Allegory

Orwell employs the farm animals as symbols to represent the key figures and ideologies of the Russian Revolution. For instance, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball are representations of Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky respectively. The Rebellion represents the Bolshevik Revolution, and the animal’s collective vision of a utopian society mirrors the communist ideology.

The novel explores themes of power and corruption, class struggle, and the dangers of ignorance. The pigs’ gradual accumulation of power and their transformation into oppressive rulers illustrate how power can corrupt. The ongoing conflict between the pigs and other animals signifies class struggle, while the animals’ blind trust in the pigs underscores the perils of ignorance and indoctrination.

Critical Analysis

“Animal Farm” is a critique of totalitarian regimes, particularly communism under Stalin. It illustrates how these regimes manipulate language and education to control the masses, leading to societal decay. Orwell’s clever use of satire and irony makes the novel a powerful political commentary.

“Animal Farm” is more than a simple tale about animals. It is a profound political and social critique, a timeless piece that remains relevant even today. Orwell’s novel serves as a warning of how power can corrupt and the importance of critical thinking and education in society.

500 Words Essay on Animal Farm

Orwell’s ingenious allegory.

Orwell’s narrative brilliance lies in his use of animals to represent key figures and events in Russian history. The pigs Napoleon and Snowball symbolize Stalin and Trotsky, respectively, while the Rebellion represents the Russian Revolution. By using animals, Orwell manages to distill complex historical and political events into a simple, yet profound, tale. This enables the reader to understand the mechanisms of power, corruption, and propaganda that are at play in any society, not just in the context of the Soviet Union.

Themes: Power and Corruption

“Animal Farm” offers a powerful exploration of how power can lead to corruption. The pigs, despite initially advocating for equality, gradually become indistinguishable from the humans they overthrew. This transformation underscores Orwell’s warning about the dangers of absolute power. The phrase, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” poignantly encapsulates this theme. It serves as a reminder that power can distort ideals, leading to inequality and oppression.

Use of Language as a Tool of Control

Relevance in contemporary society.

While “Animal Farm” is a critique of the specific historical event of the Russian Revolution, its themes have universal relevance. The novella’s exploration of power, corruption, and the manipulation of truth resonates in today’s world, where fake news and propaganda are prevalent. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to question authority, challenge propaganda, and resist the allure of absolute power.

In conclusion, “Animal Farm” is a powerful allegorical tale that uses a simple story of animals’ rebellion to explore complex themes of power, corruption, and manipulation. Orwell’s narrative brilliance shines through his use of animals to represent historical figures and events. Despite being rooted in a specific historical context, the novella’s themes continue to resonate in contemporary society, making it a timeless piece of literature.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Happy studying!

Essays on Animal Farm

What makes a good animal farm essay topic.

When it comes to writing an essay on Animal Farm, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good essay topic should be thought-provoking, engaging, and offer ample opportunities for analysis and interpretation. It should allow you to explore the various themes, characters, and literary devices employed by George Orwell in his iconic novel. Here are some recommendations to help you brainstorm and choose the perfect essay topic.

When brainstorming essay topics for Animal Farm, it's important to consider the themes and underlying messages of the novel. Think about the parallels between the events in the book and real-life historical or political events. Consider the characters and their motivations, as well as the use of allegory and symbolism throughout the story. A good essay topic should also be specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis, but broad enough to offer multiple avenues of exploration.

A good Animal Farm essay topic should be relevant, thought-provoking, and open to interpretation. It should encourage critical thinking and analysis, and allow you to delve into the complexities of the novel. Your topic should also be unique and original, offering a fresh perspective on the text. With these considerations in mind, you can choose a topic that will make for a compelling and insightful essay.

Best Animal Farm Essay Topics

The use of propaganda in Animal Farm
The role of the pigs in the novel
The allegorical representation of the Russian Revolution
The theme of corruption and power in Animal Farm
The significance of the windmill in the story
The role of the working class animals in the rebellion
The character of Napoleon and his leadership style
The theme of loyalty and betrayal in the novel
The significance of the Seven Commandments
The role of fear and intimidation in maintaining control
The impact of language and rhetoric in the novel
The symbolism of the various animals on the farm
The theme of social class and inequality in Animal Farm
The role of violence and coercion in the story
The significance of the final scene in the novel
The theme of utopia and dystopia in Animal Farm
The portrayal of human nature in the book
The impact of ignorance and apathy on the farm
The role of education and knowledge in the novel
The significance of the ending of Animal Farm

Animal Farm essay topics Prompts

Imagine if the animals on the farm had been successful in creating a utopian society. How would the story have unfolded differently?
Explore the parallels between the events in Animal Farm and real-life historical revolutions. How does the novel reflect the complexities of political change?
Consider the role of fear and intimidation in maintaining power on the farm. How does this theme resonate with contemporary society?
Analyze the character of Boxer and his unwavering loyalty to the cause. What does his story reveal about the nature of power and manipulation?
Imagine if George Orwell had written Animal Farm from the perspective of the humans on the neighboring farms. How would this change the reader's understanding of the story?

Choosing the right essay topic for Animal Farm is essential to crafting a compelling and insightful piece of writing. By considering the themes, characters, and literary devices of the novel, you can brainstorm unique and thought-provoking topics that will allow for in-depth analysis and interpretation. Whether you choose to explore the use of propaganda, the role of the pigs, or the allegorical representation of the Russian Revolution, a good essay topic will offer ample opportunities for critical thinking and engagement with the text. With the right topic in hand, you can delve into the complexities of Animal Farm and offer a fresh perspective on this timeless classic.

Propaganda and Euphemisms in Animal Farm

How power corrupted the pigs in animal farm, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Animal Farm: an Allegorical Satire on Power and Corruption

The use of power and propaganda in animal farm, sympathy for the animals in animal farm, the issues of power and corruption in animal farm and divergent, let us write you an essay from scratch.

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Reasons Why Animal Farm Failed

How moses the raven is used as a representation of the church in animal farm, symbolism, satire, and other literary devices in animal farm, a novel by george orwell, themes of education and ignorance in animal farm, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

An Analysis of Literacy and Power in Animal Farm, a Book by George Orwell

"animal farm" mirrors the russian revolution in both characters and events, the exploitation in the animal farm, the revolution in animal farm, power and leadership in animal farm, animal leaders as russian politicans in animal farm, ideal society in animal farm, propaganda in animal farm, "the animal farm": a review of themes and characters, russian revolution and orwell animal farm, the animal farm, orwell's novel review: snowball and napoleon comparission, animal farm by george orwell: the issue of government and management, the difference in representation of napoleon and snowball characters in 'animal farm', the significance of old major's speech on equality in animal farm, a novel by george orwell, themes of socialism and capitalism in orwell's animal farm, comparison of snowball and napoleon in the animal farm, compassion in animal farm by george orwell, rhetorical devices in animal farm by george orwell, animals' inability to read in animal farm, ignorance and the result of class segregation: napoleon, boxer and the destruction of animal farm.

17 August 1945

George Orwell

Allegorical Novella

Political Satire

Napoleon, Old Major, Snowball, Squealer, Boxer, Mr. Jones, Clover, Pilkington, Mr. Frederick, Mr. Whymper, Benjamin

The book has been influenced during Orwell's Spanish Civil war experiences and author's opinion regarding Stalinist corruption of the original socialist ideals.

It symbolizes Russia and the Soviet Union under Communist Party rule. The symbols include capitalism, socialism, fascism, and communism. The rule of power, corruption.

The Animal Farm teaches us an important lesson that it is not possible to create a utopian society since every leader will sooner or later become corrupt. Another important aspect is the gain of power and temptation of a luxurious life that is always based on personal gain. It is a reason why it becomes an important book that tells about the potential of good intentions. While it does portray the authoritarian example of the USSR, it also explores the ways of people that still serve others with good intentions.

The book tells a story about farm animals who rebel against their human farmer. As simple as that, they hope to create a different society where every animal can live an equal life, remain free, and feel happy. It is a complex allegory that tries to reflect a revolution. Still, this animal rebellion is betrayed with the farm ending up in a poor state. The reason for this failure, according to Orwell, is the dictatorship's rule of a pig named Napoleon.

The Animal Farm has been rejected more than most books in the history of publishing by the big names until Secker & Warburg decided to publish it.
The book became influential for C.S. Lewis who believed that the book is about equality where every animal is equal, yet some are more equal than others.
The book has been based on real-life village of Wallington, which is where Orwell has lived during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The Animal Farm became a propagandistic tool of the CIA to bring anti-communist views across the world.
Speaking of the Soviet Union, the novel has been banned until about 1988 when "Glasnost" views have made it possible for the Latvian magazine to publish it in four parts.
The book has also been banned in Cuba, North Korea, Kenya, and even the United Arab Emirates.
The book has inspired numerous world-famous musicians like The Beatles and Pink Floyd.
Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame was the one who voiced the main character "Napoleon".
"Remember, comrades, your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. And among us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle. All men are enemies. All animals are comrades."
"All the habits of Man are evil. And, above all, no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind. Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other animal. All animals are equal."
"The animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
"Animal Farm, Animal Farm, Never through me shalt thou come to harm!"
"Ah, that is different!" said Boxer. "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right."

The purpose of the book is to explain how existing potential often leads to dangers of good intentions. As the political satire of the USSR's ruling style, it aims to show that revolution and striving for change comes from good intentions, yet misleads people into something else. Using dystopian fiction, Orwell remains precise in his opinion regarding tyranny and origins that it has. It also deals with ignorance and an intentional failure to notice things.

This topic is important for essays because it deals with corrupting influence of power, totalitarian regime, sincerity, propaganda, and the good intentions that we all have. It is also a good topic to tell about leadership and betrayal. Since this book deals with an allegory, it must be taken as an example of our modern life.

The Old Major's speech represents a significant element for this novel because it speaks of the very idea of rebellion that is brought to the minds of the animals. It is the first time when they start approaching human beings as their enemies and see themselves as the victims of animalism or farm oppression. The major speaks about hardships and bad lives and claims that it is Farmer Jones that is to blame. It can be approached as the turning point of the novel.

Relevant topics

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
A Rose For Emily
Frankenstein
Bartleby The Scrivener
The Alchemist
Flowers For Algernon
A Long Way Gone
The Awakening

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Animal Farm

By george orwell, animal farm essay questions.

How is Animal Farm a satire of Stalinism or generally of totalitarianism?

Answer: A good way to answer this question is to pick a specific example of totalitarianism in any country, historical or current, and explain how the ideas Orwell puts forth in Animal Farm apply to it. Go back and forth between the historical facts and the events of the novel. Note the actions of the leaders, the mechanisms of fear and power, and the reactions of the people over time.

Elucidate the symbolism inherent in the characters' names.

Answer: The symbolism ranges from the obvious to the more cryptic. Compare Napoleon with the historical Frenchman and Moses with the figure from the Bible. Take Snowball as representative of something that grows larger and more forceful. Squealer has something to do with the spoken word. Boxer suggests strength. Make sure to consider each character at various stages of the story and to use specific examples from the text.

What does the narrator do, or fail to do, that makes the story's message possible?

Answer: The narrator lets the story tell itself to a large degree by relating what is said and done without moralization and reflection. The narrator speaks from the perspective of the animals other than the pigs, a kind of observer who can point out the significant details without interfering. The reader then can draw his own conclusions about the symbolism, concordance with historical events, and the awfulness of the events themselves.

What does the windmill represent?

Answer: The windmill's symbolic meaning changes during the course of the novel and means different things to different characters. It is to be for electricity but ends up being for economic production. As it is built, it is a locus of work without benefit and a medium of the pigs' power. For the humans, it is a dangerous symbol of the growing power of the farm. Consider also the relationship between the windmill and the biblical Tower of Babel.

What role does the written word play in Animal Farm ?

Answer: Literacy is a source of power and a vehicle for propaganda. Some examples to consider are the Seven Commandments, "Beasts of England," the child's book, the manuals, the magazines, and the horse-slaughterer's van.

Examine the Seven Commandments and the way they change during the course of the novel from Old Major's death to the banquet Napoleon holds with the farmers.

Answer: The commandments begin as democratic ideals of equality and fraternity in a common animal identity, but they end in inequality when some animals are "more equal" than others. As the pigs take more control and assume their own liberties, they unilaterally change the commandments to fit their own desires. Consider especially the interactions between Clover, Muriel, and Squealer surrounding the Seven Commandments, determining how easy it is to change the fundamental rules of society on the farm, where most of the animals can do no better than to remember that four legs are good and two legs are bad.

Would Animal Farm be more effective as a nonfiction political treatise about the same subject?

Answer: Given the success of the novel, it is hard to see why Orwell might have chosen a different genre for his message. A nonfiction account would have had to work more accurately with the history, while Orwell's fiction has the benefit of ordering and shaping events in order to make the points as clear as possible from a theoretical and symbolic point of view. A political treatise could be more effective in treating the details and theoretical understandings at greater length and with more nuances, but the readership and audience for such a work would therefore become quite different as well, so the general population would be less likely to hear Orwell's warnings.

Can we perceive much of Orwell himself in the novel?

Answer: Orwell seems to be most like the narrator, who tells the story from the perspective of experience with the events related. We know from Orwell's history that he was a champion of the working class and did not much like the idea of being in a role where he had to exercise power to control people under him. Orwell seems to be a realist about the prospects for the socialist ideals he otherwise would promote.

Compare Animal Farm with Orwell's other famous novel, 1984 .

Answer: Consider the ways in which both novels are allegories with a political message against the evils of state control and totalitarianism. How does totalitarian control affect the illiterate versus those who are educated and wish to exercise their human rights? Compare the political regimes in the two novels. Does the relative anonymity of the leaders affect the reactions of the people?

Pick a classic fairy tale or fable and examine it in comparison with Animal Farm .

Answer: A good way to answer such a question is to consider the function of animals as characters. For instance, each of the Three Little Pigs expresses a different approach to planning for the future and managing risk, which can lead to an analysis of how each character represents a moral or physical quality. In terms of narration, note the degree to which the narrator lets the characters speak in their own voices and lets the plot play out without editorializing. In terms of structure, consider how critical events shatter the calm (such as getting lost in the woods or encountering an enemy) and lead to a moral once some kind of order (for better or for worse) is restored.

GradeSaver will pay $15 for your literature essays

Animal Farm Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Animal Farm is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The skin I’m in

Maleeka is teased because her skin is too dark. Miss Saunder's gets made fun of because she has a rare skin disease. Maleeka is ashamed of her skin, and Miss Saunders is proud of her own.

Animal Farm contains mainly extremely effective scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others bitterly ironic or pessimistic . Which scene did you find most effective and memorable? why?

A seen that sticks with me is a terrifying one: I suppose that is why it has stayed with me for so long. The scene is when Boxer the horse. One afternoon, a van comes to take Boxer away. It has “lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in...

What is the relationship between Snowball and Napoleon?

Both Snowball and Napoleon are leaders. They see leadership in each other. Napoleon sees Snowball's loyalty to the animals as a threat to his dictatorship. While Snowball works for the good of the farm, Napoleon works only for his own interests.

Study Guide for Animal Farm

Animal Farm study guide contains a biography of George Orwell, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About Animal Farm
Animal Farm Summary
Animal Farm Video
Character List

Essays for Animal Farm

Animal Farm essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Bit and Spur Shall Rust Forever: Hollow Symbols in George Orwell's Animal Farm
Consent to Destruction: the Phases of Fraternity and Separation in Animal Farm
Character Textual Response - Benjamin
Non vi, sed verbo (Not by force, but by the word)
Comparison of Values: Animal Farm and V for Vendetta

Lesson Plan for Animal Farm

About the Author
Study Objectives
Common Core Standards
Introduction to Animal Farm
Relationship to Other Books
Bringing in Technology
Notes to the Teacher
Related Links
Animal Farm Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Animal Farm

Introduction

Sample details

George Orwell

Animal Farm

Views: 5,387

Hook for Animal Farm – Critical essay

Animal Farm by George Orwell depicts Napoleon as the supreme leader and how the power gradually corrupts him into becoming everything they fought against in the rebellion. Losing the quote “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ fits well with Napoleon and his reign as a leader. I believe Napoleon has always wanted power, however it came to be. He, and many of the other pigs, took no part in the rebellion.

Orwell showed Napoleon as a dictation opportunist, never topping or letting anything get in his way of achieving his goal to take over and leading the farm. Orwell describes him as a pig who has “a reputation for getting his own way”. I believe this is beginning to foretell us about Napoleon’s mysterious nature and his behavior that continuously gets worse as the novella progresses. As soon as Napoleon takes the role as the leader and seizes power, we, as the reader, understand he has very little care for Old Majors speech and therefore, little care for the revolution.

ready to help you now

Without paying upfront

He doesn’t care about the equality of the animals, only for himself ND the other pigs. “Never mind the milk, comrades! That will be attended to. The harvest is more important…. I shall follow in a few minutes… ” ‘When they came back that evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared”. The milk is a symbol of wealth, and when the animals arrive back after the long days work the milk is gone and feel this foreshadows chapter 3 as we see Napoleon has taken it for himself, and the other pigs.

But the milk should have been given out equally, as the 7th commandment states ‘All Animals Are Equal’. ‘ ‘The mystery of where the milk went was soon cleared up. It was mixed every day into the pigs’ mash”. This is Napoleons first act of corruption as the leader. Napoleon decides soon after to have all the apples taken to the harness room for “use of the use of the pigs. The apples are another symbol of wealth and power as only the pigs are permitted to eat them.

When Napoleon gave the order for the public executions, he was officially robbing the animals of free speech. “When they had finished their confession the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess”. I noticed Napoleon’s preferred method of execution is to tear their throats out. Napoleon forces the animals executed to tell lies about themselves and about their supposed treachery before they are brutally murdered.

He installs fear within the animals and makes them afraid to speak the truth. He makes them afraid to speak the truth – or even speak and (if they were intelligent enough) form an opinion. He absolutely robs them of free speech, exactly like tearing out their throats. In the final scene of the novella, a delegation of neighboring rammers are offered a tour Of the farm, after which they are invited to meet back in the dining room of the farm house with Napoleon and the other pigs.

Mr. Politicking offers a toast, with the alcohol, for the success of animal, which leads Napoleon to his new policies about changing the farm name back to its original ‘Manor Farm’. After he has finished his speech the pigs and animals combined play cards, but a loud quarrel erupts when both Napoleon and Mr. Politicking each try to play the ace of spades, and as the other animals look on upon the arguments taking place, they are unable to distinguish the preference between the humans and the pigs.

This is Napoleons greatest act of absolute corruption and the final act of his transformation into Jones. The completion of the second windmill marks a further linking of the animals and humans: used not for a generator but instead for milling corn, and thus making money. The windmill’s symbolic meaning has been reversed and corrupted. Animal Farm is now inevitably tied to its human neighbors in terms of business and atmosphere. This completes the transformation from Animal Farm to Manor Farm.

There will never be a “retirement home” for old animals (as shown via Clover), and the pigs come to resemble their human oppressors to the degree that “it was impossible to say which was which” Although Napoleon is a much harsher and stern master than the reader is led to believe Jones ever was. Napoleon’s power had corrupted the whole idea of Minimalism & the Seven Commandments, which the whole utopia of animal farm first started with. The power that the three pigs obtained had corrupted them and, then Napoleon received absolute power, which corrupted the society as a whole.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/animal-farm-13-essay-sample/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

Check more samples on your topics

Frees: the setting of animal farm animal far analysis.

The setting of Animal Farm, a novel written by George Orwell, is an English farm. This specific location plays a crucial role in the progression of the story and significantly impacts the characters. It generates intrigue within the narrative and molds the actions of all those involved. The novel depicts a group of ordinary animals

Critical Analysis of Animal Farm

He saw people?s true fear of tyrannical government in his fight congregations Stalin. Rowel's Napoleon represents Stalin through his harsh dictator-like in Animal Farm. These experiences were the main premises for writing 1984 and Animal Farm. Both deal with the brutality that governments can procure through their extreme power misuse and other means of abuse.

Sandy Hook Elementary Paper

On December 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot twenty children and six adult staff members in a mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It was the second deadliest mass shooting by a single person in American history, after the 2007 Virginia Tech Massacre. At some point before Adam Lanza, 20,

Persuasive Speech – Captain Hook

Persuasive Speech

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I have, may it please the court and jury, a few words to say. In the first place, I do not deny anything that the court has against me. Of course, I am here to make an appeal to the court to acknowledge that I did not have any

Hook Up Culture in College

Despite the progress made in campus expansion and resource enhancement, there is still uncertainty about improving the social scene in colleges and universities. The prevailing motto among students has become "Work hard, party hard." Weekdays are focused on academics as students strive to broaden their intellectual horizons. However, weekends are solely dedicated to socializing and

“The Wright Hook” (or, the origin of “Spear and Fang”)

“Spear and Fang” is certainly not one of Howard’s best tales, but it is with this story that the young Texan became professionally published, in the July 1925 issue of a then fairly recent pulp magazine, Weird Tales. Weird Tales, which had begun publication in March 1923, claimed to be the first magazine entirely devoted

How Does Charles Dickens Hook the Reader into Reading Great Expectations?

Charles Dickens

In Dickens ‘Great Expectations’, he obtains the reader’s attention and gains their interest in the first paragraph to make them want to read on. Dickens introduces the protagonist ‘Pip’ to ‘hook’ the reader and make them ask questions. The reader wants to know about the protagonist and his life. They will ask themselves questions such

Good hook for catcher in the rye

Catcher In The Rye

JDK Slinger shows Holder as a 1 6-year-old boy lose to adult hood and having trouble with accepting society and struggling with any issues in the daily life. Holder is an individual in earlier American society, who is non-conformTABLE and does not choose to cooperate with society, however still very human because he is low

Community service hook

How do you think your graduate educational experience will be different from your undergraduate experience? How would you describe a graduate learning community? What would be the key components of a learning community and how might it be different from an undergraduate learning community? I believe that the undergraduate level guides the individual to become

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

The Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

George Orwell, the author of animal farm, was a man who believed in Socialism. He saw the working class as being mistreated by the capitalist government. He wanted a socialist economy with equality and elimination of selfish individual interest. In his book, the Animal Farm, he showed the evils of a Communist market system.

In Russia there had existed a system where a minority of rich and aristocrats owned most of the property under a dictatorial king. The poor rebelled and overthrew the capitalists in order to have a communist society that would follow the ideas of Socialism. All land and property was taken from private individuals and companies and put under the supervision of the government. Unfortunately there arose Stalin, a leader who was a dictator, pretending to practise socialism yet he was a cruel dictator.

Orwell loved socialism but did not like the Communist perception of Socialism and the way they applied the socialist model. He wrote the novel to warn the people of the dangers of Communism. At the time the novel was written Communism was spreading to Europe and the United States. In the novel animal farm, Orwell tells the story of Communism in the form of an animal fable.

There are animals which represent the poor people while the pigs and dogs represent the administrators of the leader. The pigs and dogs are given power to rule the animals by Jones who is the leader.

However these administrators are greedy for power. Through bloodshed and spread of propaganda they destroy all who rise up to complain or resist them. In Russia there were power struggles between Stalin and Trotsky. These were the chief allies of Lenin who was the leader of Russia at that time.

Stalin was shrewd, once Lenin died in 1924 he ganged up with his supporters and Trotsky had fled from Russia. He held public executions of the people who supported his competitors. All the land was owned by the Jones who controlled the economy. The animals were given anthems and rules such as all animals are equal but there are animals which are more equal than others.

The book shows the way it is human nature for people to create classes in the society which leads to oppression of the poor. The pigs and the dogs are corrupted by power. The working class are naive, uneducated and gullible and do not question the intentions of the government. In the book Orwell shows the way totalitarian governments use terror and violence to control the people. Jones overworks the animals and even takes their food.

He beats them up and slaughters them. The pigs and dogs like their master do not hesitate to use this cruel tool of control. Jones exploits the animals for the physical labour. He also exploits the pigs and dogs though they are not aware. He uses them to scare the animals to do his bidding. Orwell through the book predicted that communism would not last long and would fail economically to achieve social equality.

At the end of animal farm the pigs have become the new oppressors. There is no liberation for the animals. Stalin became the new dictator in Russia just like the dictatorial king the poor had rebelled against. The predictions are true since in the communist nations the economy has not done well at all. In the end Europe and America fought with the Communist nations showing that a government-controlled economy was not the way.

A capitalist economy was democratic and the best model to emulate for any country. His warnings on Communism were true however adopting Socialism is not the way either. Capitalism is a good system that encourages competition and there is growth in the economy. Goods and services are produced and given efficiently. A capitalist country should only be careful to ensure there is no exploitation of the poor.

George Orwell and Animal Farm: A Critical Analysis
Joseph Conrad: Narrator's Action in "The Secret Sharer"
Lenin’s ‘The State and Revolution’
Lenin’s “What Is to Be Done?” Pamphlet Analysis
Propaganda in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
Situational Irony in ‘The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad’
“Ozymandias”- Percy Bysshe Shelley
Lewis Carroll and Wonderland
The Mortal Immortal Themes: Questions and Answers, Character Analysis, Summary
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, August 4). The Animal Farm by George Orwell. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-animal-farm-by-george-orwell/

"The Animal Farm by George Orwell." IvyPanda , 4 Aug. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/the-animal-farm-by-george-orwell/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'The Animal Farm by George Orwell'. 4 August.

IvyPanda . 2018. "The Animal Farm by George Orwell." August 4, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-animal-farm-by-george-orwell/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Animal Farm by George Orwell." August 4, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-animal-farm-by-george-orwell/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Animal Farm by George Orwell." August 4, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-animal-farm-by-george-orwell/.

'Animal Farm' Questions for Study and Discussion

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Study Guides
Authors & Texts
Top Picks Lists
Best Sellers
Plays & Drama
Shakespeare
Short Stories
Children's Books
M.A., English Literature, California State University - Sacramento
B.A., English, California State University - Sacramento

Since George Orwell 's 1945 novel " Animal Farm " is such a complex work, you can better understand its themes and plot devices by working your way through study questions. Use these "Animal Farm" discussion questions as a guide to better comprehending the book, but for context, first, make sure you understand the gist of the story and its related history.

'Animal Farm' in Context

In short, "Animal Farm" is an allegory that depicts the rise of Joseph Stalin and communism in the former Soviet Union. Orwell was dismayed by the favorable image of World War II-era and the post-war Soviet Union. He viewed the USSR as a brutal dictatorship whose people were suffering under Stalin's rule. In addition, Orwell was angered by what he viewed as acceptance of the Soviet Union by Western countries. Given this, Stalin, Hitler , and Karl Marx are all represented in the novel , which ends with the famous quote , “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Questions for Review

With the context of the book in mind, prepare to answer the "Animal Farm" discussion questions below. You can review them before you read the book, as you read it, or afterward. In any case, looking at these questions will improve your comprehension of the material.

Your answers may reveal why the book has endured for generations. Discuss with your classmates or a friend who's familiar with the book. You may have somewhat different takes on the novel, but analyzing what you've read is a great way to connect with the material.

What is important about the title?
Why do you think Orwell chose to represent political figures as animals? Why did he choose a farm as the novel's setting?
What if Orwell had chosen jungle or marine animals to represent the political figures?
Is it important to know the world history of the mid- and late-1940s to fully understand what Orwell is trying to portray?
"Animal Farm" has been described as a dystopian novel. What are some other examples of fictional works with dystopian settings?
Compare "Animal Farm" with Orwell's other famous cautionary tale, " 1984 ." How similar are the messages of these two works? What's different about them?
What are the symbols in "Animal Farm?" Are they easily recognized by readers who don't know the historical context of the novel?
Can you discern an authorial voice (a character who speaks the author's point of view) in "Animal Farm?"
How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place somewhere else and still made the same points?
Does the story end the way you expected? What other outcomes could there have been for "Animal Farm?"
What would a sequel to "Animal Farm" have looked like? Were Orwell's fears about Stalin realized?
'Animal Farm' Vocabulary
'Animal Farm' Summary
'Animal Farm' Overview
'Animal Farm' Themes and Symbols
Rudyard Kipling - 'The Jungle Book' Questions for Study and Discussions
'Animal Farm' Quotes Explained
'1984' Study Guide
'Animal Farm' Characters: Descriptions and Analysis
'Of Mice and Men' Summary
'The Scarlet Letter' Questions for Discussion
The Catcher in the Rye: Questions for Study and Discussion
'Charlotte's Web' Summary
'Animal Farm' Quiz
'1984' Questions for Study and Discussion
How to Succeed in Your Literature Class
Discussion Questions for Pride and Prejudice

Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell, an allegorical reflection of the Russian Revolution, was quite the opposite of my average read. Opening up a novel about a dystopian society ruled by animals gave me a whole new perspective about equal rights. The animals in this book endured so many difficulties that could’ve been avoided if humans weren’t the most dominate species. Which is why I can understand where they’re coming from. Who wouldn’t want to rebel against something so unjust? Any activity we do impacts the planet more than any other kind, so the animals in this story did have a right to find that unfair. Though some characters blew it out of proportion. It makes one think, “How come we humans are given the upper hand and animals are forced …show more content…

After their farmer Jones was overthrown, these three pigs and their comrades attempted to rid the farm of any accessories made for animals by throwing them in a fire. In chapter two, when asked if ribbons were allowed, Snowball responded, “Ribbons should be considered as clothes, which are the mark of a human being. All animals should go naked.” For some time after this was stated, animals went bare. However, in chapter ten, Napoleon and the other pigs contradicted this concept, wearing clothes from Mr. Jones’s wardrobe. It states, “Napoleon himself appearing in a black coat, ratcatcher breeches, and leather leggings, while his favorite sow appeared in the watered silk dress in which Mrs. Jones wore on Sundays.” Technically, the pigs did not go against the third commandment they created that read, “No animal shall wear clothes” because it no longer existed. Instead there was only a single commandment that stated, “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” So rather than all animals being fair, the pigs received special treatment while the others continued to suffer. Which is the same as when Jones was around, because he made all the animals do the harsh labor while he kept all the proceeds for himself, living in a lovely house and drinking loads of alcohol. The pigs were even walking around on their hind legs like him, and engaging in business with humans. The difference between them was unrecognizable, as indicated on the final page. At this point Napoleon never realized that his mentality was equivalent to Jones’s and that he was no better at controlling the farm than he was. They made the same selfish choices and filled the residents of Animal Farm with

Similarities Between Napoleon And Snowball

Under Napoleon, the animals have little choice what happens to them. They have to do what he says or hey will just die in that circumstance. The same was true under Jones. To me, which really means that little has changed. Napoleon is also similar to Mr.Jones because he is using the animals work to make comfortable life for himself. He cares mainly about himself and the pigs of course and doesn't care if he's being fair to the other animals. But Napoleon to me is kind of the nice guy the animals get treated fairly well, well taken care of. They get rewarded by Napoleon of extra portions of food after battles or during celebrations. But by living in the house with the pigs Napoleon creates a different kind of way of how he runs things with the animals it's kind of unique and weird a the

Farms And Animals In George Orwell's Macbeth And Animal Farm

"Animal farm" is a political fable novel by George Orwell, which describes the incubation, rise and final metamorphosis of an “animalistic” revolution.There are three famous sentences, for example, all animals are comrades ,all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others and so on.

The Absolute Power Corrupted In George Orwell's Animal Farm

The adage "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" is a crucial message that can be found in the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. It can be applied directly to Napoleon, a pig who serves as the leader of Animal Farm. As Napoleon gains more and more power, he soon becomes a selfish, immoral leader. At first, he had the farm’s best interest at heart, but he soon became blinded with power. This eventually causes him to turn into a copy of Mr. Jones, the previous leader who they had overthrown.

Animal Farm Four Legs Bad

In the 1946 satire novel Animal Farm, George Orwell draws great attention to the current political issues of the time through animals regarding power, equality, and freedom.

Animal Farm By George Orwell

will never be forgotten. It is a story that shows courage and tenacity, as well as fear and

Animal Farm By George Orwell: Russian Revolution

While Napoleon and the rest of the pigs live day by day with luxurious lives the animals are working vigorously hard. "All the animals do not have a fair share of the food rations, even if they were not punished. Napoleon and the dogs (secret police) selfishly took most of the food on the farm and the alcohol from Mr. Frederick while other animals were on a food ration reduction, thus they had to live in hunger." ("Dictatorship." Animal Farm by George Orwell - A Representation of the Russian Revolution, promrknight.weebly.com/dictatorship.html.).Here you can clearly see how Napoleon is abusing his power against the animals. Dictators make sure they are given the best while those below them get the crumbs food related in a

Satire Essay On Animal Farm By George Orwell

During the events of chapter six, the pigs’ machinations were evident, as they moved into the farmhouse, and slept in the beds all for their own comfort on the pretext of ‘needing a quiet place to work’ and “It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty.” Meanwhile, within the events of chapter five, Napoleon stepped into power by banishing snowball using the dogs, thus taking away the animal’s rights to vote, “…all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by [Napoleon]. In chapters two, three and four the pigs assumed leadership on the animals since they are described as having ‘superior’ knowledge. They were granted the privileges of having milk and apples reserved themselves as well. And withal Mollie, and the cat escaped work through the duration of the book. Finally, in chapter one, prior to the rebellion, when Old Major gather the animals, they follow a seating order base on most to least of importance: Old Major, the pigs, the dogs, and the rest of the

Corruption In George Orwell's Animal Farm

George Orwell’s 1945 allegorical and dystopian novel, Animal Farm is an in-depth work about corruption and how society functions in its ways. In a unique style, Orwell uses these animals on the farm as figures to replace the humans in our life and society so we as readers can take a step back and see our culture as it truly is, without blurring our vision with emotions about other humans. Through his use of anthropomorphism, Orwell accentuates certain characteristics we see in people. Some main topics I will cover are the oppression if the less intelligent animals, such as the sheep, the blind faith of Boxer, Mollie’s wish for the old civilization’s return, and the rise of the pigs. There is also precedence with how the animals overthrow the man in charge, an allusion to culture and counterculture.

Examples Of Social Stratification In Animal Farm By George Orwell

To justify the expulsion of their competing leader, one of the pigs states: “loyalty and obedience are more important...one false step, and our enemies would be upon us” (70). This new political structure was in the animal’s best interest. The pigs imply that by being against Napoleon, one is not only against Animal Farm but also with Jones. This would be a crime against all of the animals of the

Power In Animal Farm By George Orwell

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a magnificent novel highlighting what power can really do to a person or in the novel’s case an animal. Orwell makes multiple relations to Russia and what went on during the Cold War throughout the course of the novel. He also shadows different forms of government such as communism, capitalism, and totalitarianism by how the farm runs. In Animal Farm Napoleon and Snowball the pig are suddenly thrown into power when the animals throw out Mr. Jones for his poor treatment of them. The animals decide to change how everything runs on the farm which is good in the beginning. As the novel progresses Napoleon becomes greedy with power causing the farm to revert back to its old ways. Animal Farm is an excellent representation

Animal Farm Oppression

In 1945, the world was not shocked at Orwell’s dismal comment on human nature after the mass chaos of World War II. His political and philosophical commentaries are relevant to the issues coming out of the second World War. However, the problems that Orwell addresses in Animal Farm aren’t exclusive to his time. The struggle of oppression is a timeless struggle for humanity. Whether it be tyrannical regimes, the persecution of races, or the injustice of classes, the history of civilization is ridden with similar stories of the Manor farm. Although perfection is unattainable, hope for solving issues of oppressive systems will continue as society progresses and we learn from our past

Power In Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a book that explores the Russian Revolution through the lives of farm animals. Differing animals represent historical figures from the revolution, and throughout the book, we see that the leaders of the farm abuse their power and control. Farmer Jones, the owner of the farm, and then the dynamic pig duo, Napoleon and Squealer, both cause unhappy “citizens”/animals because of their actions. First and foremost, Farmer Jones used his authority to use all his animals for labor work but then continuously mistreated and miss cared for them. The animals in their first meeting of the book sat and listened to Old Major, a pig, speak of how they need to take action against humans and their oppressiveness. “Man is

On the surface, George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is about a group of neglected farm animals who overthrow their owner and take control of the farm. However, under the surface this novel is an allegory detailing the events of the Russian Revolution. Orwell wrote Animal Farm in response to the events leading up to and occurring during the Russian Revolution. The author’s use of anthropomorphism and common diction lead us to believe he intended the novel to be read by the “everyday man” or lay person. This novel is written as a warning to readers with its central theme that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Animal Farm Animalism

Within animalism lies the seven commandments which are the rules that every animal must follow. As the novel continues, Napoleon takes advantage of these commandments and begins to slowly turn animalism into communism. While closely analyzing the theme of the story, a connection can be built between animalism and communism because, communism is based around the idea that everybody is equal with no class distinctions and the means of production is owned by the people themselves. Linking it to animalism, all of the animals are equal and everybody shares the wealth of the farm. When Napoleon starts to become a tyrant, he starts to change the seven commandments and betrays the principles of animalism allowing the pigs to do things that would otherwise not be granted, just like Czar Nicholas betrayed all of his people. Considering animalism is the governing principles of the farm, all of the animals must follow these rules, even if one of them has mysteriously changed. This is where Napoleon begins to slowly create his communist rule. [Include

Animal Farm Corruption

Have you heard the statement, every action has a reaction? Animal Farm by George Orwell is an Allegorical novel that takes place on a farm, which is maintained by the animals before kicking out Mr. Jones. Also, portrays the Russian Revolution of 1917 that represented the deadliest government by overthrowing the Czars and placed the power to Lenin or the Bolshevik group. The downfall of Animal Farm is caused by the animals; hence the perpetrators, bystanders, which finally ended with a sad victim.

Animal Farm: Overview ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

English Senior Content Creator

Animal Farm: Overview

The Animal Farm question is Section A of your GCSE Paper 2. You are asked to complete one essay-length answer to one set question. This can seem daunting at first, but this page contains some helpful information, and links to more detailed revision note pages, that will enable you to aim for the highest grade. This page includes:

Who was George Orwell?

Animal Farm summary

A brief overview of what is required in the exam

Animal Farm characters

Animal Farm context

Animal Farm themes

Animal Farm quotes

Top tips for the highest grade

George Orwell was an Indian-born English journalist, essayist and writer of both fiction and non-fiction books. Orwell - whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair - was born in the Indian province of Bengal on the 25th June 1903, before moving to Oxfordshire in England at the age of one. He died at the age of 46 in London on the 21st January 1950. Coming from a modest middle-class family and not being able to afford the school fees, Orwell won a scholarship to study at Eton College before joining the Imperial Police force in Burma, then still part of the British Empire. Witnessing first-hand the brutality and oppression of Imperial British rule, Orwell resigned from the police force and returned to England to become a writer. Indeed, his subsequent writing focuses on themes such as imperialism, social injustice, freedom and identity. In his later writing, Orwell was particularly concerned with the rise of totalitarianism and propaganda, which are explored in his 1945 novella, Animal Farm. This allegorical text uses the literary form of a fable to explore the types of authoritarian control that citizens can be subjected to when corrupt leaders successfully spread misinformation. For further ideas about this theme and others explored in the novella, please see the Animal Farm: Themes page.

Animal Farm is a short novel comprising ten chapters. It begins on a farm in the English countryside, where an old idealistic pig, Old Major, is urging the other animals to rebel against their oppressive human leaders. In order to codify his worldview, Old Major coins a philosophy known as Animalism, which includes central tenets called the Seven Commandments. Old Major dies but the animals successfully rise up and overthrow the humans. Two rivals for the leadership of the farm, pigs by the names of Snowball and Napoleon, vie for supremacy, but Napoleon, using a more aggressive and threatening approach, becomes the leader of the pigs and assumes total control of the farm.

The pigs under Napoleon begin a regime based on fear and violence, slaughtering any animal with associations with Snowball, and threatening with violence any animal who questions their rule. Meanwhile, the pigs are becoming more and more like human beings: trading with other human farmers, and sleeping in the beds in the farmhouse. They justify their reign of terror, and their human-like behaviour, with a concerted campaign of propaganda and misinformation, spread by Napoleon’s chief propagandist, Squealer. Eventually, the pigs become so much like their human predecessors that the animals can no longer tell the difference between men and pigs. For a more detailed summary of the plot, including chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, please see the Animal Farm: Plot Summary page.

How is Animal Farm assessed in the exam?

Paper 2 of your English Literature GCSE requires you to answer four questions in 2hr 15min. Within that time, you have approximately 45 minutes to plan, write and check your Animal Farm essay

Paper 2 is worth 96 marks and accounts for 60% of your overall GCSE grade

The Animal Farm essay is worth a total of 34 marks, since it also includes 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar

Section A of Paper 2 contains the Animal Farm question. You are required to answer only one question on the novella from a choice of two questions

It is a closed-book exam, which means you will not have access to a copy of the text in your exam (and there is no printed extract from the text on your question paper, unlike in Paper 1)

You will be asked a question that asks you to analyse and write in detail about an aspect of Animal Farm

Your answer will need to address the novella as a whole

For a much more detailed guide on answering the Animal Farm question, please see our revision notes on How to Answer the Modern Prose and Drama Essay Question .

The characters you should focus on when revising Animal Farm are:

And the minor characters of:

When considering Orwell’s novella, or any other text, it is critical to understand that characters are deliberate inventions made by a writer for a purpose. These characters frequently represent concepts or belief systems, and a writer, such as Orwell, uses them to explore his opinions on politics and social injustice. This is especially true of Animal Farm, since it is an allegory for leadership and governance in the Soviet Union. For more details on the characters in Animal Farm, please see the Animal Farm: Characters revision notes page.

At GCSE, it can be difficult to work out what examiners want you to include in terms of context. Put simply, context is the ideas or perspectives explored in a text, not extra historical or biographical information about an author. Therefore, for Animal Farm, context should be understood not as general information about the Soviet Union in the early 20th century, or facts about Orwell’s life, but instead refer to ideas about:

Russian Revolution

Propaganda and Censorship

Lots of these ideas and perspectives are universal, so your own opinions of them are valid, and will be rewarded in an exam. For a detailed breakdown of the contextual topics listed above, see the Animal Farm: Context page.

One of the best pieces of exam advice for any text at GCSE is to know your text back-to-front. This is especially true of understanding a text’s themes, or the ideas that are explored by an author in their text. This is because to get the highest mark on your exam, you need to take what examiners call a “conceptualised approach”: a detailed and perceptive exploration of, in this case, Orwell’’s ideas and intentions. The key themes in Animal Farm are:

There are of course more themes than just those listed above that are investigated by Orwell in Animal Farm, and you are encouraged to explore these too. However, the above list makes a great place to start, and detailed breakdowns of each of these themes can be found on our Animal Farm: Themes page.

Although you are given credit for including quotations from Animal Farm in your answer, it is not a requirement of the exam. In fact, examiners say that “references” to the rest of the play are just as valid as direct quotations: this is when students pinpoint individual moments in the novella, rather than quoting what the characters say. This is especially the case with an allegorical text such as Animal Farm, because the writer’s deliberate decisions are more about the form and structure of the text, rather than what individual characters say. In order to select references really successfully, it is extremely important that you know the novella itself very well, including the order of the events that take place in the text. This detailed chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the plot will help you to revise the chronology of Animal Farm.

However, it can also be useful to revise a few quotations from the novella that can be used in a variety of essays on different themes and characters. For an analysis of each of these quotations, see our Animal Farm: Key Quotations page.

Please see our revision pages on the modern text exam for guides on:

Structuring your Animal Farm essay

Animal Farm methods and techniques

How to include context in the Animal Farm essay

Understanding the Animal Farm mark scheme

Animal Farm model answer

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Get unlimited access.

to absolutely everything:

Downloadable PDFs
Unlimited Revision Notes
Topic Questions
Past Papers
Model Answers
Videos (Maths and Science)

Join the 100,000 + Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Author: Nick Redgrove

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Loading to Chapter Summary Of Animal Farm....

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / Book Citations / Learn how to cite “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

Learn how to cite “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

Learn how to create in-text citations and a full citation/reference/note for Animal Farm by George Orwell using the examples below. Animal Farm is cited in 14 different citation styles, including MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, APA, ACS, and many others.

If you are looking for additional help, try the EasyBib citation generator .

Popular Citation Styles

Here are Animal Farm citations for five popular citation styles: MLA, APA, Chicago (notes-bibliography), Chicago (author-date), and Harvard style.

Citation Style	In-text Citation	Full Citation/Reference
	(Orwell)	Orwell, George. . Collins Classics, 2021.
	(Orwell, 2021)	Orwell, G. (2021). . Collins Classics.
	Example sentence. ———— 1. George Orwell, (London: Collins Classics, 2021).	Orwell, George. . London: Collins Classics, 2021.
	(Orwell 2021)	Orwell, George. 2021. . London: Collins Classics.
	(Orwell, 2021)	Orwell, G., 2021. , S.l.: Collins.

Additional Styles

Here are Animal Farm citations for 14 popular citation styles including Turabian style, the American Medical Association (AMA) style, the Council of Science Editors (CSE) style, IEEE, and more.

Citation Style	In-text Citation	Full Citation/Reference/Notes
	(Orwell, 2021) Example sentence (1). Example sentence.	1. Orwell, G. ; Collins: S.l., 2021.
	Example sentence.	1. Orwell G. . S.l.: Collins; 2021.
	(Orwell 2021)	Orwell, George. 2021. . S.l.: Collins.
	(Orwell 2021)	Orwell, George. 2021. . S.l.: Collins.
	Example sentence.	Orwell, George, Animal Farm (2021)
	(Orwell 2021)	Orwell, George. 2021. Animal farm. S.l.: Collins.
	Example sentence [1].	[1] Orwell, G., ; Collins: S.l., 2021.
	Example sentence. ———— 1. George Orwell, London: Collins Classics, 2021).	Orwell G. . S.l.: Collins; 2021.
	Example sentence (1). Example sentence.	(1) Orwell, George. . S.l.: Collins, 2021.

Find citation guides for additional books linked here .

Popular Book Citations

Declaration of Independence
Heart of Darkness
The Great Gatsby
The Federalist Papers
Romeo and Juliet
The Catcher in the Rye
Fahrenheit 451
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Yellow Wallpaper
Nineteen Eighty-Four
The Epic of Gilgamesh
ESV Study Bible
The Bhagavad Gita
There There
Animal Farm
A Raisin in the Sun
Letter from Birmingham Jail
View Other Book Citations

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Citation Basics

Harvard Referencing

Plagiarism Basics

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Supported by

Critic’s Notebook

When Your Child Is an Animal

The charged cultural conversation about pets and children — see “Chimp Crazy,” “childless cat ladies” and more — reveals the hidden contradictions of family life.

Share full article

By Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess is a critic at large who writes about internet and pop culture.

“Monkey love is totally different than the way that you have love for your child,” Tonia Haddix, an exotic animal broker, says at the beginning of “Chimp Crazy,” the documentary HBO series investigating the world of chimpanzee ownership. “If it’s your natural born child, it’s just natural because you actually gave birth to that kid. But when you adopt a monkey, the bond is much, much deeper.”

“Chimp Crazy” arrives in a summer of cultural and political obsession about the place of animals in our family lives. When JD Vance became the Republican vice-presidential nominee, his 2021 comment about “childless cat ladies” resurfaced, positioning them as adversaries of the traditional family. New York magazine published a special issue questioning the ethics of pet ownership, featuring a polarizing essay from an anonymous mother who neglected her cat once her human baby arrived. In the background of these stories, you can hear the echoes of an internet-wide argument that pits companion animals against human children, pet and tot forced into a psychic battle for adult recognition.

These dynamics feel supercharged since 2020, the year when American family life — that insular institution that is expected to provide for all human care needs — became positively airtight. The coronavirus pandemic exaggerated a wider trend toward domestic isolation : pet owners spending more time with their animals, parents more time with their children, everyone less time with one another — except perhaps online, where our domestic scenes collide in a theater of grievance and stress.

When a cat, a dog or certainly a chimp scampers through a family story, it knocks it off-kilter, revealing its hypocrisies and its harms. In “Chimp Crazy,” Haddix emerges as the avatar for all the contradictions of the domestic ideal of private home care: She loves her chimp “babies” with such obsession that she traps them (and herself) in a miserable diorama of family life.

Haddix, a 50-something woman who describes herself as the “Dolly Parton of Chimps,” believes that God chose her to be a caretaker. She was a registered nurse before she became a live-in volunteer at a ramshackle chimp breeding facility in Missouri, where she speaks of a male chimp named Tonka as if she is his mother. Haddix also has two human children; she just loves them less, and says so on television.

As she appoints herself the parent to an imprisoned wild animal, she asserts an idealized form of mothering — one she describes as selfless, unending and pure. “Chimp Crazy” is the story of just how ruinous this idea of love can be, for the woman and the ape.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

Want all of The Times? Subscribe .

IMAGES

Animal Farm Essay by Ms G's Teaching Ideas
'Animal Farm' By George Orwell Free Essay Example
The Animal Farm Novel Literary Analysis Essay Example (600 Words
Animal Farm Essay
Animal Farm Essay
Animal Farm Essay 1

VIDEO

Wheels on the Bus
CSEC English B: ANIMAL FARM Discussion || Adam Webb + Jamain Hatton
Text Response Essay Animal Farm
Animal
Animal Farm House II Animal farm House in Pakistan II Animal farm House Vlog 🐄🐂🐫🐪🐄🐂🐫
10 Lines on Farm Animals in English| Essay on Farm Animals|

COMMENTS

Animal Farm by George Orwell: Literary Analysis Essay
An animal farm is traditionally discussed as a place where animals are bred by humans. The farms are usually named after the owner. However, Animal Farm is rather different. It is a place where animals are owners of the properties (Orwell 6). While referring to the meaning and significance of the phrase which is used for the title of the ...
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell
This reading is an allegory, which is a specific story where the chosen characters and situations represent other characters and situations for the purpose of making a point about them ("Animal Farm at a Glance"). In the story, a group of animals rebel against the human farmer, embrace the idea of Animalism, and organize a revolution in ...
Animal Farm Essays
Animal Farm is a story written by George Orwell, a 20th century author known for using allegories in his writing. Animal Farm was published in 1945, immediately following World War II. Orwell used the novella to explain why he thought a totalitarian government was a bad idea, using the animals in the story to mirror major players in World War II.
George Orwell's "Animal Farm": [Essay Example], 587 words
George Orwell's Animal Farm is a political allegory that satirizes the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. The novel explores the corrupting influence of power and the manipulation of language to control the masses. One of the key characters in the novel is Squealer, a pig who serves as the mouthpiece for the ruling class and uses propaganda to maintain their control over the other ...
Animal Farm Essay
Long Essay on Animal Farm is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. The novel starts by introducing us to a setting where one night all the animals at Mr Jones Manor Farm gather together to hear old Major an old - well-respected boar pig's dream. He described that all animals should be free from the tyranny of their human masters.
Animal Farm
Animal Farm is a very simple novelette written in a formal as well as informal style.The formal style is shown through terse and succinct prose, while informal style creeps in when the animals talk to each other or when the Old Major addresses the animal.The simplicity of language shows its tones changing according to the setting of the novel, from ironic to sarcastic and from simple to ...
Animal Farm Sample Essay Outlines
Power on Animal Farm before the Rebellion. A. Man has absolute power, taking without producing. B. Jones operates the Manor Farm with no regard for his animals. 1. Animals aren't fed. 2. Animals ...
70 Animal Farm Essay Topics & Samples
Comparison of "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift and "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. The Corruptness of Power Depicted in George Orwell's "Animal Farm". An Analysis of the Communism and Socialism in "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. 104 Frankenstein Essay Topics & Examples 87 The Crucible Essay Topics & Examples.
Animal Farm: Allegory Themes, Symbols,
Animal Farm explores how propaganda can be used to control people. From the start of the novel, Orwell depicts the animals being manipulated by common propaganda techniques, including songs, slogans, and ever-changing information. Singing "Beasts of England" evokes an emotional response that reinforces the animals' loyalty to both Animalism and ...
Animal Farm Themes, Symbolism, Characters & Literary Devices
In his short novel Animal Farm (1945), English author George Orwell (1903-50) allegorizes the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the tsarist autocracy was pushed out and the Bolsheviks came into power, and the revolution's incremental betrayal of its supporters under dictator Joseph Stalin (1879-1953). Drawing on fable conventions, Orwell tells a farmyard story, casting revolutionary leaders ...
Essay on Animal Farm
500 Words Essay on Animal Farm Introduction "Animal Farm," penned by George Orwell, is a timeless piece of literature that uses a group of farm animals' rebellion to symbolize the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin's totalitarian regime. This allegorical novella, first published in England on 17 August 1945, stands as a critique ...
Animal Farm Essays
A good Animal Farm essay topic should be relevant, thought-provoking, and open to interpretation. It should encourage critical thinking and analysis, and allow you to delve into the complexities of the novel. Your topic should also be unique and original, offering a fresh perspective on the text. With these considerations in mind, you can ...
Animal Farm Essay Questions
Animal Farm Essay Questions. 1. How is Animal Farm a satire of Stalinism or generally of totalitarianism? Answer: A good way to answer this question is to pick a specific example of totalitarianism in any country, historical or current, and explain how the ideas Orwell puts forth in Animal Farm apply to it.
Animal Farm
Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella, in the form of a beast fable, [1] by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. [2] [3] It tells the story of a group of anthropomorphic farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy.Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and under the dictatorship ...
Hook for Animal Farm
Hook for Animal Farm - Critical essay. Animal Farm by George Orwell depicts Napoleon as the supreme leader and how the power gradually corrupts him into becoming everything they fought against in the rebellion. Losing the quote "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' fits well with Napoleon and his reign as a leader.
The Animal Farm by George Orwell
In the novel animal farm, Orwell tells the story of Communism in the form of an animal fable. There are animals which represent the poor people while the pigs and dogs represent the administrators of the leader. The pigs and dogs are given power to rule the animals by Jones who is the leader. However these administrators are greedy for power.
11 "Animal Farm" Discussion Questions
Since George Orwell's 1945 novel "Animal Farm" is such a complex work, you can better understand its themes and plot devices by working your way through study questions.Use these "Animal Farm" discussion questions as a guide to better comprehending the book, but for context, first, make sure you understand the gist of the story and its related history.
Animal Farm
Good Essays. 1642 Words. 7 Pages. Open Document. Animal Farm by George Orwell, an allegorical reflection of the Russian Revolution, was quite the opposite of my average read. Opening up a novel about a dystopian society ruled by animals gave me a whole new perspective about equal rights. The animals in this book endured so many difficulties ...
Animal Farm
Paper 2 is worth 96 marks and accounts for 60% of your overall GCSE grade. The Animal Farm essay is worth a total of 34 marks, since it also includes 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Section A of Paper 2 contains the Animal Farm question. You are required to answer only one question on the novella from a choice of two questions.
PDF Chapter Summary Of Animal Farm
Animal Farm SparkNotes Literature Guide SparkNotes,George Orwell,2014-02-04 When an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this title offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols, a review quiz and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper ...
Cite Animal Farm
Citation Generator. Learn how to create in-text citations and a full citation/reference/note for Animal Farm by George Orwell using the examples below. Animal Farm is cited in 14 different citation styles, including MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, APA, ACS, and many others. If you are looking for additional help, try the EasyBib citation generator.
'Chimp Crazy,' 'Childless Cat Ladies' and the Fault Lines of Family
The charged cultural conversation about pets and children — see "Chimp Crazy," "childless cat ladies" and more — reveals the hidden contradictions of family life.

Animal Farm Essay | Essay on Animal Farm for Students and Children in English

Long and Short Essays on Animal Farm for Students and Kids in English

Long Essay on Animal Farm 500 Words in English

Short Essay on Animal Farm 150 Words in English

10 Lines on Animal Farm in English

FAQ’s on Animal Farm Essay

Animal Farm

Related posts:

Animal Farm

Sample Essay Outlines

Cite this page as follows:

See eNotes Ad-Free

Animal Farm

Topic Home | Social Issues | Literature | Lifelong Learning & DIY | World History

Historical and literary context

Themes and style

Critical discussion

Further Reading

More Articles

Orwellian Comedy

Appreciating Animal Farm in the New Millennium

Looking for information on other topics?

Essay on Animal Farm

100 Words Essay on Animal Farm

250 Words Essay on Animal Farm

Symbolism and Allegory

Critical Analysis

500 Words Essay on Animal Farm

Themes: Power and Corruption

Use of Language as a Tool of Control

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Essays on Animal Farm

Best Animal Farm Essay Topics

Animal Farm essay topics Prompts

Propaganda and Euphemisms in Animal Farm

Animal Farm: an Allegorical Satire on Power and Corruption

The Reasons Why Animal Farm Failed

An Analysis of Literacy and Power in Animal Farm, a Book by George Orwell

Relevant topics

Animal Farm

Animal Farm Questions and Answers

Study Guide for Animal Farm

Essays for Animal Farm

Lesson Plan for Animal Farm

Wikipedia Entries for Animal Farm

Sample details

Related Topics

Hook for Animal Farm – Critical essay

Cite this page

Check more samples on your topics

Critical Analysis of Animal Farm

Sandy Hook Elementary Paper

Persuasive Speech – Captain Hook

Hook Up Culture in College

“The Wright Hook” (or, the origin of “Spear and Fang”)

How Does Charles Dickens Hook the Reader into Reading Great Expectations?

Good hook for catcher in the rye

Community service hook

The Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay

'Animal Farm' Questions for Study and Discussion

'Animal Farm' in Context

Questions for Review

Animal Farm

Similarities Between Napoleon And Snowball

Farms And Animals In George Orwell's Macbeth And Animal Farm

The Absolute Power Corrupted In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Animal Farm Four Legs Bad

Animal Farm By George Orwell

Animal Farm By George Orwell: Russian Revolution

Satire Essay On Animal Farm By George Orwell

Corruption In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Examples Of Social Stratification In Animal Farm By George Orwell

Power In Animal Farm By George Orwell

Animal Farm Oppression

Power In Animal Farm

Animal Farm Animalism

Animal Farm Corruption

Related Topics

Animal Farm: Overview ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Animal Farm: Overview