Animal Farm by George Orwell

[Brad Coelho]

I found 1984 & Animal Farm to be equally poignant political allegories, with entirely different delivery devices. 1984 was gut wrenching & impaling w/ dark, dystopian clouds, while Animal Farm is deceptively friendly & approachable on the surface, yet equally austere at the core. While each construct was objectively effective, I'm certain there's a split in reader's sujbectivities. This is likely why he made both novels, as it appears his message getting across was the most important part of his work- and he utilized any artistic device he had at his disposal to reach the broadest audience.

[Paulclem]

I think he wrote Animal Farm - A Fairy Story - in that form beause he couldn't get any anti-soviet work published. WW2 had just ended and the British Establishment did not want to encourage criticism of a regime which had just lost 20 million citizens defeating the Nazis, and who went on to fight the Japanese in Manchuria. Orwell, on the other hand, saw Stalin's regime as damaging to socialism, and he wanted to make his views clear.

[Brad Coelho]

Makes sense- I looked at things simply as his way of casting a broader net (which enhanced his artistic reputation as well as expanded the reach of his message) & I'm certain those extenuating environmental factors w/ the USSR caused him to take a more conservative approach initially.

[Paulclem]

Makes sense- I looked at things simply as his way of casting a broader net (which enhanced his artistic reputation as well as expanded the reach of his message) & I'm certain those extenuating environmental factors w/ the USSR caused him to take a more conservative approach initially.

Yes I think it did. Fascinating writer as his biography is as interesting as his work.

[pjjrfan1]

He sure picked the right animals for the right roles.

[Zoey141]

"I think he wrote Animal Farm - A Fairy Story - in that form beause he couldn't get any anti-soviet work published. WW2 had just ended and the British Establishment did not want to encourage criticism of a regime which had just lost 20 million citizens defeating the Nazis, and who went on to fight the Japanese in Manchuria. Orwell, on the other hand, saw Stalin's regime as damaging to socialism, and he wanted to make his views clear." - Paulcelm (forgot to reply with quote)

Adds clarity thanks for this

[Zoey141]

"I found 1984 & Animal Farm to be equally poignant political allegories, with entirely different delivery devices. 1984 was gut wrenching & impaling w/ dark, dystopian clouds, while Animal Farm is deceptively friendly & approachable on the surface, yet equally austere at the core. While each construct was objectively effective, I'm certain there's a split in reader's sujbectivities. This is likely why he made both novels, as it appears his message getting across was the most important part of his work- and he utilized any artistic device he had at his disposal to reach the broadest audience." - Brad Coelho (forgot to reply with quote again)

Totally agree. The reason why both the works have managed to remain timeless classics and more relevant with each passing day.

[Zoey141]

i just finished reading 1984. i think 1984 is a very bleak but timeless political satire and a chilling portrayal of a totalitarian society. This society faces all the harsh realities of post war rationing. i believe that the description of the housing and Ministries echoed Eastern Europe prior to the collapse of the Berlin Wall. i was surprised how relevant it is as a commentary on current society rather than just a dystopian vision of the future. This made the book even more compelling. i really enjoyed it, and think Orwell is really amazing!!! ^_^

All men are more equal but some men are more equal, or the classic sheep/herd mentalities are reflective of any dogmatic narrative including religion and many other social constructs. It is an important reminder as to why every thought requires scientific introspection by each.