Animal Farm

By George Orwell

The most famous by far of all twentieth-century political allegories, Animal Farm is the account of a group of barnyard animals who revolt against their vicious human master, only to submit to a tyranny erected by their own kind, can fairly be said to have become a universal drama. Orwell is one of the very few modern satirists comparable to Jonathan Swift in power, artistry, and moral authority; in animal farm his spare prose and the logic of his dark comedy brilliantly highlight his stark message. Taking as his starting point the betrayed promise of the Russian Revolution, Orwell lays out a vision that, in its bitter wisdom, gives us the clearest understanding we possess of the possible consequences of our social and political acts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Biblos
• Release date: Dec 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9789897786280

George Orwell

George Orwell (1903–1950), the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was an English novelist, essayist, and critic. He was born in India and educated at Eton. After service with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, he returned to Europe to earn his living by writing. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of 1984 (1949), which brought him worldwide fame. 

Book preview

ANIMAL FARM

BY

GEORGE ORWELL

1945

Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes. With the ring of light from his lantern dancing from side to side, he lurched across the yard, kicked off his boots at the back door, drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery, and made his way up to bed, where Mrs. Jones was already snoring.

As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. Word had gone round during the day that old Major, the prize Middle White boar, had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals. It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr. Jones was safely out of the way. Old Major (so he was always called, though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour’s sleep in order to hear what he had to say.

At one end of the big barn, on a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic-looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. First came the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher, and then the pigs, who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform. The hens perched themselves on the window-sills, the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters, the sheep and cows lay down behind the pigs and began to chew the cud. The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw. Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life, who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal. Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance, and in fact he was not of first-rate intelligence, but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work. After the horses came Muriel, the white goat, and Benjamin, the donkey. Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered. He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark — for instance, he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. If asked why, he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at. Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking.

The two horses had just lain down when a brood of ducklings, which had lost their mother, filed into the barn, cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg, and the ducklings nestled down inside it and promptly fell asleep. At the last moment Mollie, the foolish, pretty white mare who drew Mr. Jones’s trap, came mincing daintily in, chewing at a lump of sugar. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane, hoping to draw attention to the red ribbons it was plaited with. Last of all came the cat, who looked round, as usual, for the warmest place, and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major’s speech without listening to a word of what he was saying.

All the animals were now present except Moses, the tame raven, who slept on a perch behind the back door. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively, he cleared his throat and began:

"Comrades, you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. But I will come to the dream later. I have something else to say first. I do not think, comrades, that I shall be with you for many months longer, and before I die, I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. I have had a long life, I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall, and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. It is about this that I wish to speak to you.

"Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short. We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty. No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. No animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth.

"But is this simply part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it? No, comrades, a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile, its climate is good, it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals than now inhabit it. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses, twenty cows, hundreds of sheep — and all of them living in a comfort and a dignity that are now almost beyond our imagining. Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labour is stolen from us by human beings. There, comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summed up in a single word — Man. Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever.

"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself. Our labour tills the soil, our dung fertilises it, and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin. You cows that I see before me, how many thousands of gallons of milk have you given during this last year? And what has happened to that milk which should have been breeding up sturdy calves? Every drop of it has gone down the throats of our enemies. And you hens, how many eggs have you laid in this last year, and how many of those eggs ever hatched into chickens? The rest have all gone to market to bring in money for Jones and his men. And you, Clover, where are those four foals you bore, who should have been the support and pleasure of your old age? Each was sold at a year old — you will never see one of them again. In return for your four confinements and all your labour in the fields, what have you ever had except your bare rations and a stall?

"And even the miserable lives we lead are not allowed to reach their natural span. For myself I do not grumble, for I am one of the lucky ones. I am twelve years old and have had over four hundred children. Such is the natural life of a pig. But

Reviews for Animal Farm

[Sean Bigard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always has been a fantastic work, relevant now more than ever.

[Alyssa Brantley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

George Orwell is a master with capturing the feelings involved, irony, and hurt related to government without actually mentioning it at all. This book is the perfect platform for hard conversations about power abuse, why education is so important and protecting the least of us because we’re all needed and all animals are equal in value.

[Jessica Obenschain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must read this book. It is the best book ever!

[Pramod Kumaresan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Animal Farm is a well-known classic, and it is incredible. I still remember reading it at about nine years old, being fascinated by a far, run by animals. Then I got to the more dark bits and was like ‘what the heck is going on?’. But I reread it when I was more mature and consider it a well-crafted metaphor about morality. This book should probably be read when one is at least twelve.

[dianaplc14 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's an incredible book. You never expect what comes next, the development in such a few pages is insane. There are no words to describe the feeling of reading this book for the first time, it's one of the best I've read in my life, I think everyone should read it. (Translated from Spanish)

[sofiaAravenaSantos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very good fable, I liked it a lot, and how the author criticizes the Russians through this book. It shows us how power corrupts anyone who possesses it, especially if it is absolute, as in the case of the pig Napoleon. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ignacio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a very entertaining and funny story, but it has a political background. The animals rebel against their owner only to be oppressed by the basic rules they created for themselves, which are changed so gradually that they don’t even realize what is happening. Only if you compare it with the original do you realize; I recommend it. (Translated from Spanish)

[Anto45325 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a book that captivates because instead of having humans, it has animals, implying that the animals are the people. My favorite part was when the sheep shouted (four legs yes, two legs no), it makes me laugh. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tomassuazo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Animal Farm
It is a story about farm animals that rebel against their owner (Mr. Jones).

For me, it is a very good book, but I was terrified that the animals behaved like humans, like when the pigs started walking on two legs.

It is a highly recommended book because it discusses political themes like communism in a sarcastic way through animals. (Translated from Spanish)

[Pazmolina06 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is about a farm run by Jones, who mistreated the animals, but then they decide to take revenge.

In my opinion, this book is good because the plot of what would happen next with the animals captivates you; my favorite characters are the goats because I laughed a lot when they said "4 legs yes, 2 legs no!" referring to people.

This book makes you reflect on how mistreating animals can have consequences. (Translated from Spanish)

[RocoConstanza · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this fable and how it looks childish when it is truly more like a mix of politics and literature, as well as being a critique of the Russian rebellion and the corruption of Soviet socialism. The animals create their own government that ultimately ends up being a brutal tyranny; this demonstrates the abuse of power and how it corrupts anyone who possesses it. Undoubtedly, a magnificent work that conveys its meaning, which I totally recommend. (Translated from Spanish)

[Nicolatorresdearena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Animal Farm is a book about animals who rebel against their human owner in search of freedom and equality. After taking control of the farm, the pigs become like the humans they once criticized, reflecting the dynamics of power and corruption in society. The work is a critique of the Russian Revolution and corrupt power. (Translated from Spanish)

[FaryRC · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read in English. Something complex but it was achieved. (Translated from Spanish)

[Gaeba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I agree with most of the criticisms here, I have nothing more to add since the message is clear.

P.S. I suffered with Boxer. (Translated from Spanish)

[Jorgetvr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An entertaining book, with a background and very easy to read, a work of art about Russian politics during the 20th century. Incredible how Orwell is able to hide all of Russian history behind an entertaining story about revealed animals. (Translated from Spanish)

[Kev Jim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent light book, entertaining, fast-paced, always fresh despite its age, and useful for remembering and reflecting on Latin American society and politicians. An unmissable classic that should be mandatory in high schools. (Translated from Spanish)

[philosophico · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It has seemed to me an extensive political fable, an expression of literature at the service of politics. (Translated from Spanish)

[AlexanderGuilln · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an explanation of politics through little animals. In this satirical fable, Orwell criticizes the corruption of power, totalitarianism, and the manipulation of historical truth during times of political transformation.

It could be said that it is one of Orwell's best novels, although he also has other notable works such as "1984." The satirical, sarcastic, and intelligent way in which "Animal Farm" is written is simply magnificent. (Translated from Spanish)

[JoshuaOcampo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book shows us how many times we fight for the right reasons, but over time, temptations, comfort, and the desire to feel superior lead us to betray those values we considered correct. It incredibly captures society and how political leaders undermine our intelligence. A good book that is worth reading. (Translated from Spanish)

[3c1j4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

How easy is it to bring to our time? (Translated from Spanish)

[DaniReviews · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

LEGENDARY (Translated from Spanish)

[andysol87 ? · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story that remains relevant. If you want to understand how society works, this fable is your best option. It doesn't matter when you read it. Cruel, real, and a bit infuriating, the truth be told. Easy to read with a more than interesting prologue. Recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[tavi32ar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional. I don't know if it is a novel or a manual from which no 'revolution' or nationalist government escapes. I think it is more than a must-read. (Translated from Spanish)

[sanferroset · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant and insightful reading (Translated from Spanish)

[maurofar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The power in its most abject form through this unparalleled work of dystopian literature. (Translated from Spanish)

[JorgeAMaestre · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Orwell, as usual, is a visionary, ahead of his time. He perfectly describes those political systems that arise from discontent and injustice but ultimately end up resembling that against which they rebelled. I feel like I'm reading the history of the Revolution in certain countries in Latin America. A simply marvelous narrative. (Translated from Spanish)

[Geretey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a story that is initially hopeful, then sad and discouraging. With a satirical tone, the author managed to capture an exquisite allegory through a fable that, despite encountering obstacles for its publication, achieved its important place in history. A relevant classic in politics, especially in Latin America. (Translated from Spanish)

[LinaMar1622 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book, nothing distant from the political and social reality of these times, a brief book but that leaves memorable characters like a boxer, I loved it #HighlyRecommended ?? (Translated from Spanish)

[GladysNeuquén · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Written more than 70 years ago, it applies to so many societies and so many countries from that moment to the present. Excellent. (Translated from Spanish)

[Leidu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is very well written. I thought it would be complicated, but it turns out to be so light that you can finish it in an afternoon. The characters have clear personalities and roles that help to better understand the plot and to become fond of some of them. The comparisons with reality are easily understood, and there are many aspects for analysis; it's very entertaining. It can be easily read by children or adults, as a story or a source of teachings. (Translated from Spanish)