Ever read Animal Farm?

Question

It's a fable that shows the dangers of communisum through animals. What do you think about it?

Answer 1

Actually, it shows the dangers of totalitarianism. The time during the book that the farm was really communist was arguably rather brief. After all, when one person uses a private police force to quell dissent, then we're talking about an entirely different form of government altogether.

Old Major is, in fact, one of the more respectable characters in the book; Orwell admitted to admiring some of the ideals of Lenin and Marx, himself. The most hateful characters in the book are not the communists, but the corrupt individuals who RUIN the communist state. This completely underscores that the book is not to be interpreted as a criticism against communism (as it often is) but instead a criticism of self-serving politicians and the Soviet state, who threw off one tryanny only to establish another one.

While it's interesting on that level, I found the book a difficult read, myself. I liked 1984 much better.

Answer 2

Animal Farm is as appropriate now as it was when written in 1945. In fact, considering how close the United States is to voting in Socialism, probably more so. Oftentimes fables are the only way a point can be made so people can be taught without 'being taught'. Sadly, few people in 2006 will read it, and precious few of those reading it will understand Orwell's point, that being Communism/Socialism is a cancer, disguised as a crutch, wrapped in the warm blanket of 'caring'.
Personally, the book disturbed me. Not because I was doing any deep philosophical thinking way back in the 10th grade, but rather I didn't understand then what all the hubbub was about. To this sophomore in 1963 the various ism's sounded rather benign. Aging has sharpened my political vision.

Answer 3

Another interesting thing is that the book is in fact written and readable on at least two levels. A child reading it in the 1950s who knew next to nothing about communism or totalitarianism was still able to understand and enjoy the story at its more basic level. As a matter of fact, I did just that. At that level what one gets mainly is that (some) animals can be just as awful as (some) humans. Nothing really wrong with fables for children. I also loved The 13 Clocks by James Thurber. I still remember an absolutely wonderful phrase from that book. The angry Duke is so determined to protect his niece, the Princess, that if he is angered, "with his scorn and with his sword, he will slit him (the enemy) from his gurgle to his zatch!" I love that phrase to this very day though I have no idea what it means, gurgle or zatch. Probably doesn't mean anything but I like the way it sounds anyway.

Answer 4

I can only presume you're American if you think it's about the dangers of communism. George Orwell was a communist, who fought in the Spanish Civil War, hoping to bring communism to Spain.
It warns again corrupt politicians, those who take the elements of a decent government and corrupt it to their own ends. He was targetting Stalin, who he felt had corrupted the beautiful ideals of Marx, Lenin & Trotsky.
In the US it is said 'that any man can grow up to be President' which is the ideology of your early leaders, fair representation, protection & care for the citizen by the state. Now, any man with $10million of big business backing can become a congressman. Hardly the same ideal!
1984 is not a communist state, just one where the authorities change allegiances during war, and convince their citizens it was always that way. eg. Saddam Hussein & Osama Bin Laden were both allies of the US, then the US changed their minds and Americans now believe these men are evil?

Answer 5

It also shows how power corrupts absolutely by means of satire. It's one of the great novels in the 20th century, some may not agree with me but, just think, who else wrote vividly with powerful imagination like George Orwell? If we don't take the story seriously, it's funny and some people may conclude it's just a story for children.

Answer 6

On the surface it's a rather boring children's novel. However upon scratching the surface when you find out what Orwell really meant by writing it is when it becomes very clever.

Answer 7

they could desire to be required reading and that i do no longer of any Liberals who promotes the removing of any books. Liberals sell loose speech. Conservatives % to prohibit books. basically thought you may desire to comprehend the version. FYI; George Orwell replaced right into a Liberal.

Answer 8

yes and I saw the movie as a child I remember being very sad when the horse was taken to the glue factory.

Answer 9

Orwell is cool like his books, but not as much as I like Yvevgevny Zamyatins books

Answer 10

Several times. I found it rather amusing.