A novel by G. Orwell, published 1945. It is a satire in fable form on revolutionary and post‐revolutionary Russia, and, by extension, on all revolutions. The animals of Mr Jones's farm revolt against their human masters and drive them out, the pigs becoming the leaders. Eventually the pigs, dominated by Napoleon, their chief, become corrupted by power and a new tyranny replaces the old. The ultimate slogan runs ‘All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.’ Napoleon, ruthless and cynical, represents Stalin, and Snowball, the idealist whom he drives out, Trotsky. Boxer, the noble carthorse, stands for the strength, simplicity, and good nature of the common man.
Subjects: literary studies (20th century onwards).
Related content in Oxford Index
George Orwell (1903—1950) political writer and essayist