When a Perfect World Fails: How Animal Farm Shows the Betrayal of a Revolution
Animal Farm by George Orwell is more than just a story about animals—it’s a powerful political allegory that shows how power can corrupt even the noblest of intentions. The book explores how a revolution that starts with the promise of equality can end up creating a system just as oppressive as the one it replaced.
At first, the idea of communism—the belief that everyone should be equal in terms of wealth and status—sounds fair and ideal. But Animal Farm shows us that, over time, such systems often lose their original values. What begins as a movement for justice can eventually become a dictatorship.
The Story
The story is told in the style of a fable or fairy tale. It begins on a farm where animals are inspired by an old pig named Major to rise up against their human owner, Mr. Jones. Led by two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, the animals successfully chase the humans away and rename the place “Animal Farm.” Their goal is to create a fair and equal society for all animals—an idea they call “Animalism.”
In the beginning, things seem to go well. The animals are motivated, hardworking, and hopeful. Boxer, the strong and loyal cart-horse, becomes a symbol of dedication, constantly saying, “I will work harder.” But problems soon arise.
Napoleon and Snowball, the two leaders, start to disagree on almost everything. When Snowball gains more support, Napoleon uses manipulation and fear to get rid of him. He raises a group of fierce dogs in secret (the same puppies he had taken earlier, claiming it was for their safety), and uses them to chase Snowball away. From that moment on, Napoleon takes full control.
He starts to make all the decisions, rewrites history, and changes the rules whenever it suits him. Slowly, the original commandments of Animalism begin to disappear or get altered. The most shocking change? The final commandment:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Over time, the pigs begin living just like the humans they once overthrew—sleeping in beds, drinking alcohol, trading with humans, and enjoying luxuries while the other animals suffer. In the end, the farm is renamed back to “Manor Farm,” and the animals can no longer tell the difference between the pigs and the humans.
Simple Story, Deep Message
What makes Animal Farm so powerful is its simplicity. The story is easy to follow, but the message it carries is deep and timeless. One unforgettable moment is when Napoleon quietly raises the puppies. At first, no one thinks much of it. But later, when he uses them to attack Snowball, we see that he had planned everything from the start.
The book also cleverly shows how revolutions often repeat the same mistakes of the past. In the beginning, Old Major warns the animals not to adopt human habits like drinking, wearing clothes, or living in houses. Yet, by the end, the pigs are doing all of those things. The revolution ends up creating exactly what it tried to destroy.
The other animals don’t question Napoleon’s actions because they’re kept in fear. They believe resisting would bring the humans back—without realizing that the pigs have become just as cruel as their former masters. The problem was never who was in charge—it was how they used their power.
Why This Book Matters
Personally, I loved this book. It’s short, straightforward, and brutally honest. It shows how those in power can twist ideals and manipulate people, often turning revolutions into dictatorships. Sadly, history has shown us that this is exactly what has happened in many real-world communist movements.
Animal Farm is essential reading for anyone trying to understand why some political systems, even with good intentions, often fail. It doesn’t just criticize communism—it warns us about the dangers of unchecked power and blind loyalty.
If you’re looking for a short but powerful book that will make you think about politics, leadership, and society, Animal Farm is a must-read.
Book Details
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 136
Genre: Political Satire
Format: Hardcover
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