Animal Farm

The plot of 'This report is a short summary of George Orwell's "Animal Farm." The novel was set in Hertfordshire which was the community where Orwell was known to have lived and where he wrote frequently. Orwell was an avid poultry farmer so his understanding of rural and farm living seems obvious but his insights in the oppression and governmental abuse is not as obvious. The layout of his south of England home served well as the background of the Old Major's dreams. The novel was originally a children's story because the book follows the style of a children's books. But like modern day cartoons that must take into consideration that parents will be watching along with the kids, Animal Farm has sophisticated humor and wit and can satisfy an adult audience. Animal Farm can also be considered a fable because the characters are talking animals with human characteristics. Since the animals think and talk they are subject to the problems that men face on a day to day basis.

Animal Farm was an excellent example of Political Satire. Orwell presents the necessary attitudes, wit and humor that generally can be seen as mocking some political institutions. Orwell was effective in this satire because he says a lot with few words. The story seems to revolve around the principles of Communism and our quest for power. Napoleon for example cannot resist the temptation or need for greater amounts of power over the animals and therefore corruption and secrecy develop under a tyrannical ruler in an autocratic state.

The style is straight forward, almost like a fairy tale, and was enjoyed by children of all ages for its cunning and charm. Animal Farm' is a fairly simple one in that in the first few chapters the reader immediately sees that there is a need for action as the animals' rebel and seizes the farm. There needs to be a leader of the rebellion so this role is thrust upon two characters, Snowball and Napoleon. Napoleon wins the battle and Snowball is expelled from the community as Napoleon usurps power and establishes himself as the dictatorial leader of the farm and the farm's inhabitants.

Like the Nazi's of the 1930's and 40's, Napoleon changes gears and eventually declares the farm a republic and therefore he elects himself as acting President. Once in full power, his true reign of terror begins as he is often seen as nothing more than a human being. Basically, even though the animals overthrew the humans, the book's irony is that there is no difference with the animals in control of things. Napoleon and his cronies are as bad as the humans were when they were in control.

Orwell used a style in this novel that is straightforward and honest. In a clear and concise manner he narrates his story of the animals taking over the farm and thus copying the style of leadership they needed to overthrow in the first place. Orwell was very detailed with the descriptions of the characters as when he described "...several men dropped their sticks and tried to run, but panic overtook them and the next moment all the animals together were chasing them round and round the yard. They were gored, kicked, bitten, trampled on." (Orwell) The story can almost be mistaken for an actual historical event or occurrence because it was presented as an event that could have been factual

The story is being narrated by an external observer who is obviously outside of the forthcoming action of the story. The narrator is presented as an unbiased individual that can be trusted and believed. His style of presentation

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