ABOUT: ANIMAL FARM - GEORGE ORWELL// By Anoushka Bahadur//

 

 "The Devil or the Deep Blue Sea?"

‘Animal Farm’, by George Orwell, is a familiar work, known to almost every book-worm of this world. For those of you who have not read the ‘Animal Farm’ yet, it is time to topple over the rock you’ve been living under and read this wonderful book. The entire book revolves around the idea mooted by old Major, a 12-year-old white boar of the Manor Farm. While reading this book, one should keep in mind that the evolution of the ‘Manor Farm’ to the ‘Animal Farm’ is very much similar to how a country is formed after emancipating itself from the clutches of a tyrannical ruler. But mind you, one should also keep in mind that this evolution also corresponds to a situation of ‘choice’ between ‘the devil and the deep blue sea.’

From the clutches of the Man, the animals are seen throwing themselves into the clutches of the pigs. It is wonderful how George Orwell has laid down exactly how the fickle minded public get swayed by the leaders (who later on reveal their despotic methods) and without realising, they call upon themselves and their countries (here, the farm), a dark future.

During the first half of the story, one will find oneself in deep empathy with the animals, especially the pigs, for taking up the leadership of the farm, working hard day in and out and it is lovely to see a sense of equality amongst the animals. But the superficial equanimity fades away revealing the dark underbelly of tyrannical dictatorship – when a good leader is banished and ‘Napoleon’ (another boar) takes over the leadership whose ignorance combined with hypocrisy deteriorates the situation of the Animal Farm.

In a very subtle way, Orwell displays to us, how ‘Napoleon’ ousts ‘Snowball’ and depicts him to be the traitor blaming him for all the consequences of his own (Napoleon’s) faults. We see the pigs gradually turning from leaders to rulers. They twist logic all round the clock, in order to gain maximum benefits from the farm. This obviously started with the peripheral decisions of the farm, which gradually grew into the existential ones. For instance, Napoleon ordered ‘voluntary’ work on Sundays, with the condition that those who don’t, will receive only half their rations. The song of the animals – Beasts of England (a song, very close to the hearts of all the animals) – is soon banned and a new song is composed. Yes, this new song is full of praise of ‘Leader Napoleon.’ Not long after, we see Napoleon and team dressing up like the Man, smoking pipe, walking on their hind legs and turning into the very tyrannical ruler the animals had saved themselves from (Man).

The book is full of symbolisms and ironies. It may seem to be a kid’s book at first, but as and when you start realising the meaning behind the story, the book turns into a very interesting one indeed. Long story cut short, the story revolves around the oppressive pattern of dictators and how the general public often (though not intentionally, but willingly) fall into the dictator’s trap. The book, very relevant in today’s times, is (I guarantee) worth your time!

Happy Reading :)

 

Fun Fact: George Orwell was the pseudonym of the English author Eric Arthur Blair