ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS - The anti-totalitarianism Animal Farm

In the world of debating, the subject which is seen as the most controversial created unrepairable tension between countries: totalitarianism. Despite its ferocity, criticism of totalitarian regimes is rendered harmless when disguised as the ‘morale’ for a book. Who and what better than George Orwell's Animal Farm?

Born into an aristocratic-turned-working class family, Eric Blair, later adopting the pen name ‘George Orwell’, displayed a natural gift for writing when he was a toddler after composing several poems inspired by William Blake's ‘Tyger’. He was also influenced by Jack London. Orwell leveraged his natural genius and earned a scholarship to Eton where he was teased for his poverty while rich boys with morning dew hanging from their noses received special treatment. Orwell’s later experiences including his policeman career in Burma and the Spanish Civil War further crystallised his political outlook as he brushed with death, leaving a lifelong fear of totalitarianism. He wrote about his experiences and wrote anti-totalitarianism novels. The best, perhaps, is the satirical Animal Farm.

As the lackadaisical farmer, Mr Jones, settles into his bed, a meeting in a barn commences. Old Major, a respected pig, had a strange dream which he wished to pronounce upon all animals. When Old Major was young, the sows used to sing a song of which they barely knew: Beasts of England. The song had come into its original state in his dream, sung before the lyrics fell into obscurity. He envisions a world where humans are nowhere to be seen. The animals of Manor Farm, inspired by Old Major and led by Snowball and Napoleon, rally against the human race. After the expulsion of Mr Jones, Manor Farm turns into Animal Farm. Nonetheless, the ideals of the Rebellion are corrupted as something new and unexpected emerges.

Though Animal Farm is a fable recounting the fight for animals, the book is ersatz from a perspective. Animal Farm is based on the Russian Revolution. Snowball, a pig who is indefatigable and has a voracity for speeches, represented Trotsky who also was renowned for his speeches: both are expelled. Napoleon stood for Stalin and both enjoyed attacking when the time was ripe. Old Major was Karl Marx, as both characters introduced the idea of ‘freedom’ and Squealer, Napoleon's trusted pig, emulated Molotov, a devoted aficionado of Stalin. Likewise, Beasts of England is a parody of the Communist anthem, Internationale.

From animal uprisings to unexpected twists and subtle hints of corruption, Animal Farm summarises totalitarianism in only a hundred pages. Since its inception, the main target was totalitarianism. Today, it is clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked under any banner, the individuals who continue to believe in a revolution are utterly betrayed, as those in power refuse to grant democratic promises.