What to read prior to reading animal farm.

[eBagger]

Whats up. First post :yawnb:

I'm 21 about to be 22 and I've found a sudden fondness in literature, and right now I'm getting to the classics that...well...pretty much need to be read. I read 1984 a few months ago, and I haven't gotten around to reading animal farm.

Its going to be my next read, but I've heard its best when you know about Russia and Germany at the time or something. Figures like Stalin and other famous people are represented.

Can anyone recommend a good book on what to read before reading animal farm that will give a good understand of the time and whats going on?

[mayneverhave]

I wouldn't worry too much. Just familiarize yourself with the time period, the big players, etc - nothing technical.

The book is short enough that if you suddenly learn a large amount about socialism after reading the book, it won't take long to reread it.

[bazarov]

No need, just read this thread after you finish with story.

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25291

Of course, you can post if you're interested.

[Emil Miller]

Whats up. First post :yawnb:

I'm 21 about to be 22 and I've found a sudden fondness in literature, and right now I'm getting to the classics that...well...pretty much need to be read. I read 1984 a few months ago, and I haven't gotten around to reading animal farm.

Its going to be my next read, but I've heard its best when you know about Russia and Germany at the time or something. Figures like Stalin and other famous people are represented.

Can anyone recommend a good book on what to read before reading animal farm that will give a good understand of the time and whats going on?


It is important to remember that Orwell was first and foremost a polemicist, all of his writing is concerned with the promotion of his idea of 'democratic socialism,' which is fine if you sympathise with this romantic conception as many young people do. That being said, Animal Farm is a satirical attack on Soviet Russia and the strictures that the state were obliged to inflict on its citizens in order that the, equally romantic, idea of communism could be realised. The major figures of the Russian revolution: Lenin, Trotzky and Stalin are represented by various animals on the farm and the duplicity of the regime cleverly exposed. As 'nevermayhave' has already said, it might be difficult to get hold of a potted history of the period so, perhaps, it would be better to simply read the novel as an allegory on the failure of revolutionary ideals when they fail to account for human nature.

[NEEMAN]

Without knowing what your knowlege of history is like, it's hard to say, but I agree with most of the people here that Animal Farm is easy enough to enjoy without any in-depth knowledge of the period. Really, a little bit of wikipedia browsing would give you everything you need to know. Look up socialism, look up the early years of the Soviet Union under Lenin/Stalin, and you'll be more than set.

[Tallon]

Strangely enough Animal Farm is just about the only Orwell i haven't read, despite being well taught on the soviet union. Must correct that myself.

[eBagger]

Alright thanks guys, I'll just do some web browsing.

And thanks for the link baz!

[Silas Thorne]

If you know about the history of the second half of the twentieth century in China it can also give you a good window onto the book.

[ballb]

Just remember that the hero represents Trotsky & the villains are the Stalinists.

[bazarov]

What hero? Napoleon is Stalin and Squealer is Trotsky.

You're welcome, eBagger.

[kelby_lake]

Yeah, all you really need to know is which animal represents whom.

[mercymyqueen]

Most editions have a nice passage or two explaining what you need to know. Go for it!

[prendrelemick]

Just read it, its a great story.