Animal Farm - George Orwell - So You Haven't Read

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This book was banned at my high school library. as soon as I told my folks they bought it and let me read it. Will not lie even high school level this book hits all the issues.

“The animals outside the window shifted their gaze from pig to human, from human to pig, and from pig to human again. However, they could no longer tell who was pig and who was human, and which was which.”

I'm glad someone finally pointed out that Orwell wasn't JUST discussing USSR corruption, but the broad concept of political corruption as a whole

Even though the donkey has the advantage of often being right, it is also a critique of the smugly detached. He can clearly see what is happening at many vital points through the story, but refuses to ever actually do anything. He refuses to actually tell the other animals what is going on, even when many genuinely want to know and on occasion he is directly asked, just because not everyone will immediately understand.. He only watches, pleased with himself for watching things go wrong as he refuses to do anything to stop it, only changing this tune the first time he is personally affected by this in the loss of his friend. Even then, all he does is become more of a doomer. That is a stinging critique of the sort of person who hangs around would-be revolutionary circles, refusing to help or participate in a self-fulfilling prophecy of inaction, and acting superior to people who try for having the audacity to care.

As a child I thought the idea that people would vote for candidates that were against them was stupid, but in the last election I met post office clerks and workers in social programs proudly stand for leaders who wanted to defund them.

I read Animal Farm in middle school and I am so glad that I did. It opened my eyes and mind to the manipulations of governments, including my own. A very good read and with lessons applicable to any society.

I'm so glad that the teacher that had us read this novel actually sat down and explained it to us and had a discussion. When we read it, we were all barely into our teens and not even remotely interested in politics. But definitely after doing a full reading of this novel and the discourse with our wonderful literature teacher, many of us started to understand the world and politics around us portrayed within. Always will be thankful for that teacher, Mr Hernandez!

a running theme in the short novel was the extensive use of gaslighting, a very popular tactic still employed even today

One of those stories that the people who need to hear it the most won't understand the message - or if they do, look critically at themselves instead of trying to blame others.

This book is so good and quite short

"Four beans good, two beans bitter" Just shows you that some beans are more equal than others!

One of the few books I was forced to read in grade school that really resonated with me.

I loved this book as a teen. I read this for 10th grade English class and as a history lover I loved all of the parallels and commentaries the book made on real life events.

I read "Animal Farm" in the year ... 1984, no kidding! It was a required Literature reading for school. Our class teacher also showed us the 1954 animated video version, which added an additional scene at the end which was not in the book. Back then, in the year 1984, that extra scene seemed very much wistful thinking. 7 years later, December 1991 happened, and that final scene seemed prophetic. But the Wheel of Time kept turning and now in Dec 2022, one can only wonder which phase of the cycle has it reverted to.

One thing EH missed: Even Snowball takes part in the corruption by taking extra food for himself. Orwell believed that Stalin and Trotsky both betrayed the ideals of the revolution.

I remember hearing this stories name in 8th grade and I thought "Oh! This may be a book for me! I love animals!" Then I read it and sadly was nothing like I thought

should add: benjamin is also a symbol--for the disaffected educated class who sees what's happening but doesn't change anything

I appreciate that on this very important topic. You guys didn’t say “you’ll just have to read the book.” But summarize the whole book, and its lessons in very succinct terms.

What I find an interesting sidenote is that Snowball wanted to spread animalism to the other farms and Napoleon wanted to consolidate the revolution It’s similar to Trotsky and Stalins versions of the communist revolution, snowball symbolizes - as you have said - Trotsky and Napoleon symbolizes Stalin