Animal Farm

Title: Animal Farm

Author: George Orwell

Publisher: Secker and Warbug

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: From the writer who brought you 1984 come a good hard look at the Russian revolution.  Instead of telling the story from the perspective of human Orwell uses animals to show how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  The rise of Stalin as the leader of Russia was truly one to be studied for the leader who was not to be became the leader who was.  The story takes place on Manor Farm which is ran by a farmer named Mr. Jones.  The only thing we know about Mr. Jones is that he "exploits" the animals labor for self gain.  Old Major a wish pig calls a meeting of all the animals and tells them how they can live in harmony with each other and free from the tyranny of man.  He outlines the ideals of animalism and that all animals are equal (this is really important).  Old Major is just that old and dies in his sleep.  The animals form a plan to rid themselves of Mr. Jones and they succeed.  The revolt is successful.  Snowball and Napoleon (two pigs) become the leaders of the farm.  Snowball initially is the leader but through deception and forming a secret police using puppies takes control of the farm.  Suddenly everyone isn't equal and the rules change overnight.  What will happen to Animal Farm?  How did it go back to Manor Farm?  Is there anything wrong with trading? 

Reaction: I don't know a lot about the Russian revolution and the rise of Stalin but this is an interesting book.  Using animals was shear genius because it removes the charisma associated with dictators.  The ideals of this utopian society has been preached for centuries and at first it appears its effective.  If everyone works then everyone prospers.  Yeah right!  There is no perfect society and their will always be those who lead and those who follow.  The irony is no matter how much things have changed (technology, education and progress) things remain the same.  People are still looking for someone else to solve their problems and someone willing to say I can solve your problems.  

Application:  There are also a plethora of ways this book can be used in the classroom.  As of now this is required reading in literature classes all over the country.  This book illustrates many of the events that occurred that lead up to World War II.  It can be used as a literary piece in the a literature classroom.  It can be used to tie historical events in social studies.  It can be used to discovered the effectiveness of law in a civics classroom.  It can also be used to explore the concepts of trade in an economics classroom.  I can use it in a marketing class to discuss the power of propaganda.  The students would also create posters to hail Napoleon as leader. 

Who might use this book: Middle and High School Students