Animal Farm, George Orwell

A masterpiece of political satire, Animal Farm is a tale of oppressed individuals who long for freedom but ultimately are corrupted by assuming the very power that had originally oppressed them. The story traces the deplorable conditions of mistreated animals—animals who can speak and who exhibit many human characteristics. After extreme negligence by their owner, the animals revolt and expel Mr. Jones and his wife from the farm. The tale of the society the animals form and its deterioration into a totalitarian regime is generally viewed as Orwell's critique of the Communist system in the former Soviet Union.

Related Readings

"The Last Word"—poem by Matthew Arnold

"The Freedom of the Press"—essay by George Orwell

from Leaves from a Russian Diary—and Thirty Years After—memoir by Pitrim A. Sorokin

"Inquisitive Nature Wins Swine Credit for Smarts"—newspaper article from USA Today

"Aesop's Fables"—traditional fables adapted by Jack Zipes

Study Guide (PDF)