Book Introduction
The book today is Animal Farm by George Orwell and if you haven’t read it and like what you hear in this episode, there’s a full-length podcast where Jeff and I engage in the themes of the book coming in the next week!
What’s Animal Farm About?
Animal Farm by George Orwell is an Allegorical Novella which translates in simple terms the dangers of revolution. The animals on Manor Farm, led by pigs and inspired by Old Major’s deathbed vision of equality, rebel against their neglectful human owner, Mr. Jones, inspired by Old Major's vision of equality. They establish Animalism, a system of mutual cooperation, and rename the farm to Animal Farm. They initially thrive under leaders like Snowball and Napoleon and even win a battle against local farmers, cementing their place in England’s countryside. Two phrases that encapsulate Animalism are “Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad” and “All Animals are Equal”.
Teaching the next generation falls to the pigs, namely Napoleon, as they’re the most capable at reading, writing, and understanding the inner workings of the farm. Napoleon and Snowball are constantly at odds on projects, particularly a Snowball’s idea of a windmill. Eventually Napoleon seizes power and expels Snowball with the young dogs he raised. The farm slowly turns into a totalitarian state where pigs adopt human behaviors and oppressing others (directly contradicting and rewriting the established laws of Animalism). By the end of the book, the core of Animalism has changed, some Animals are more equal than others, and the pigs join with the humans and the animals cannot distinguish which is which.
Some themes to be discussed in the full-length podcast:
Corruption & Abuse of Power & Resources
Failure of Utopian Visions & Rebellions
Propaganda & Manipulation
Stay Tuned
I hope you enjoyed this preview. If you’re interested but not sold, there’s a full-length podcast where I discuss this book with Jeff at length coming for your binging pleasure on Substack, Spotify, and YouTube.
You can find all things What The Book by going to craigtstewart.com
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