Orwell's novela taught many impressionable youth over the years to keep from naively buying into utopianism and to question the motives of authority. Naturally, readers of all political persuasions can read whatever fits their agenda into this simple tale. Yet it's without question that "Animal Farm" pillories the rise and the corruption of Soviet Communism – if, indeed, a corrupt ideology could be corrupted – by choosing perfectly-rendered (and by necessity, simplified) Marx, Stalin and Trotsky characters for his narrative. They're all pigs! I loved "Old Master" (Marx)'s call-to-arms speech that kicks off the book, as well as the rallying song that came to him in a dream, "Beasts of England", which is, of course, "The Intenationale". Moreover, his non-totalitarian allegorical animals are fun and instructive to behold. There's Molly, the proud, vain and individualistic horse who sees her vanity and individualism being crushed by collectivist propaganda and demeaning regression to the mean – and therefore runs off to live on a "capitalist" farm. There's the oafish horse Boxer, who symbolizes the obedient and ultimately betrayed Russian working class. And my favorite is the propaganda master Squealer, who is Napoleon/Stalin's right-hand man who convinces and cajoles the various doubting animals into continuing to render themselves unto the Communist cause, even as they starve, are lied to and are worked to near-death.
It would have been eye-opening to read and especially to debate this in 1983 in my high school English class, I can tell you that. Reagan was president, the Russians were the enemy, and "Red Dawn" was one of the most popular movies in America. Still, it has much to teach both the youth and the fortysomethings of today, and it's so well-written and entertaining that I'm certain it won't end up being regarded as a relic of the 20th century. 5 stars out of 5 from The Hedonist Jive.
