Animal Farm

`Animal Farm` was written by Eric Blair (1903- 1950). He was born in India and became a poor "scholarship boy" in a snobbish, ill-run English prep school. He went to Burma later in 1921 where he spent five years working as a policeman and wrote his first novel, `Burmese Days`. George Orwell, his other name, quit his job and travelled to Paris and London.
Eric Blair struggled to earn a living as a journalist and author. Although he had weak lungs, he exposed himself to exhaustion and privation during World War 2 to serve as an air-raid warden. He became very ill at the end of the war and died on January 23,1950. Before his death, he had written his two best masterpieces, `Animal Farm` and `1984` which only became popular after his death.
The whole story begins with old Major, a prize boar on the Jones farm, telling the other animals that all animals should have their own freedom and not take the commands of humans.
After old Major dies, Snowball, Napoleon, Squealer, and other pigs preach revolution. The animals are won over and "animalist"spreads quickly. Soon, the animals force Mr Jones to leave the farm, and the animals establish control over it.
When Jones and his neighbours try to recapture the farm, Snowball leads a successful resistance and they maintained control of the farm. At first, the revolution has excellent results. Morale was high, a successful literacy campaign is waged and pigeons carry the word of `animalist` far and wide. The animals labour heroically, especially the strong and loyal Boxer. Just as the future began to look bright, Napoleon springs a coup d'etat . Fierce snarling dogs reared by Napoleon upon their birth chase Snowball away from the farm. Boxer and the other animals, however, develop faith in Napoleon.
Methodically, every trace of equality is stripped from the animals as Napoleon and the pigs turn into a ruling castle. All the seven "unalterable" commandments are soon broken and history is rewritten. Memories of the revolution grow dim.
At the ending, Napoleon and the other pigs acquire human characteristics and make peace with the neighbouring farmers. Pigs and humans now become indistinguishable to the other animals and they become as bad as each other.
The story resembles historical events during the Russian Revolution.
I feel that the story is a very good one and it shows how people can become power-mad and their lust for power will turn them into cruel and despicable figures. It also shows how ignorant people can really be.
Although boxer was faithful and loyal to Napoleon, Napoleon still sold him out after he became weak and crippled. It shows how ungrateful, selfish and cruel people can really be.
However, what made me confused is why didn`t the other animals realise what was happening and put an end to this madness. Maybe they were just ignorant, maybe they were too dumb, or maybe they were really unaware. Whatever the reason, one thing for sure is that the revolution backfired and all the animals,except the pigs, are back to square.