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Animal Farm

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*Animal Farm* is a famous story written by George Orwell.

Animal Farm - 1st edition
Animal Farm - 1st edition

It is a beast fable, which is a story where animals act like people. The book is also a satire, meaning it uses humor or exaggeration to show mistakes in society.

Animal Farm artwork
Animal Farm artwork

It is an allegory, which is a story where characters represent real historical events or people. Orwell wrote the book to show how leaders can use power in bad ways. The story follows animals on Manor Farm who want a life of freedom. They dream of a place where all animals are equal and happy.

Animal Farm strip cartoon
Animal Farm strip cartoon

The story starts when the animals rebel against their human master, Mr. Jones.

ANIMAL FARM National Youth Theatre outdoors at Soulton Hall
ANIMAL FARM National Youth Theatre outdoors at Soulton Hall

They rename the property Animal Farm and create seven rules called Animalism. One important rule is that all animals are equal. The pigs, like Snowball and Napoleon, become the leaders of the farm. Snowball tries to build a windmill to make life easier for everyone. However, Napoleon uses his dogs to chase Snowball away. Napoleon then takes total control and changes the rules to help himself. He even changes the laws so the pigs can have special treats.

George Orwell wrote this book between November 1943 and February 1944.

George Orwell press photo
George Orwell press photo

At that time, the United Kingdom was working with the Soviet Union. Orwell did not like how leaders like Joseph Stalin ruled in Russia. He wanted to combine his art with his political ideas. He first published the book in England on 17 August 1945.

At first, many publishers said no to the book. They thought it was too difficult or controversial to print. But once it was released, it became a huge success worldwide.

The book is based on the Russian Revolution of 1917.

15th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)
15th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)

The characters in the story represent real people from that time. For example, the pig Napoleon is like the leader Joseph Stalin. The boar Old Major represents thinkers like Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin. The story shows how the dream of equality can be lost. In the end, the pigs act just like the humans they replaced. They walk on two legs and wear clothes. They even hold dinner parties with human farmers.

Many people around the world consider this one of the best books ever. *Time* magazine named it one of the 100 best English-language novels.

Book collection
Book collection

It also appeared on the Modern Library List of Best 20th-Century Novels. In 1996, it won a Retrospective Hugo Award. This is a special prize for great science fiction and fantasy stories. Even though it was written long ago, people still read it today. They study it to learn about history and how power works. It remains a very important part of literature.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
File:Dragon-149393.svg
Dragon-149393.svg
File:Flag of the Animal Farm.svg
Flag of the Animal Farm.svg
File:Symbol-hammer-and-sickle.svg
Symbol-hammer-and-sickle.svg
File:ANIMAL FARM National Youth Theatre outdoors at Soulton Hall.jpg
ANIMAL FARM National Youth Theatre...
File:15th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks).jpg
15th Congress of the All-Union Communist...
File:George Orwell press photo.jpg
George Orwell press photo.jpg
File:Animal Farm strip cartoon.jpg
Animal Farm strip cartoon.jpg
File:Animal Farm artwork.jpg
Animal Farm artwork.jpg
File:Animal Farm - 1st edition.jpg
Animal Farm - 1st edition.jpg
File:Book collection.jpg
Book collection.jpg
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