George Orwell wrote Animal Farm in 1945 as an allegoricalSymbolic or metaphorical. A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to tell a broader message about real-world issues. tale warning against the horrors of Joseph StalinDictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.'s dictatorial rule in the USSRThe United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA’s main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.. It begins on an ordinary farm in England, until a group of animals decide that their labours are being exploited by their human master. They stage a rebellion and take over the farm, declaring: "All animals are equal." But the idealism of socialistA term used to describe a range of beliefs that stress collective control of economic processes. In the USA, it usually refers to a group of people who think that the USA ought to be more like European countries, offering universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and stronger workers' rights. values are soon corrupted by the farm's greedy and clever new leaders: the pigs. They impose a totalitarianWhen a political system or leader requires complete subservience to the state. In a totalitarian system, people are not allowed to express their own opinions. regime until a new slogan emerges: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Animal Farm
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm in 1945 as an allegoricalSymbolic or metaphorical. A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to tell a broader message about real-world issues. tale warning against the horrors of Joseph StalinDictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.'s dictatorial rule in the USSRThe United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA's main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.. It begins on an ordinary farm in England, until a group of animals decide that their labours are being exploited by their human master. They stage a rebellion and take over the farm, declaring: "All animals are equal." But the idealism of socialistA term used to describe a range of beliefs that stress collective control of economic processes. In the USA, it usually refers to a group of people who think that the USA ought to be more like European countries, offering universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and stronger workers' rights. values are soon corrupted by the farm's greedy and clever new leaders: the pigs. They impose a totalitarianWhen a political system or leader requires complete subservience to the state. In a totalitarian system, people are not allowed to express their own opinions. regime until a new slogan emerges: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Return of the Left in Colombia and France
The egalitarianBelieving that everybody deserves equal rights and opportunities. political system is often described as good in theory, but bad in practice - Animal Farm is the perfect demonstration of that argument.
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Should the rich pay more tax? A controversy over a dress at a glamorous fashion show highlights the debate that is at the heart of political divisions in the USA and beyond.
Are capitalism and altruism compatible? Boris Johnson let slip that he thinks greed is the key to Britain's successful vaccination programme. A shocking thought - but could it be true?
"Some animals are more equal than others" claim the ruling pigs of Animal Farm. Is economic equality a useful aim for society?
Does yet another scandal really matter? Spin doctors hope the public will forgive and forget. But some argue "one rule for us, another rule for them" is how democracy dies.
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Some believe that George Orwell was criticising corruption, not socialism itself. Can those in power ever be trusted?
Is this a modern reformation? Sajid Javid, a former leading candidate for PM, said that his inspiration was a sermon on integrity at a prayer breakfast in Parliament.
Fury over wealth gap turns to full-scale war
Is Prince Charles fit to be king? Allegations that he approved an honorary CBE in exchange for a £1.5m charitable donation have revived doubts about his character and judgement.
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The Soviet Union ruled parts of Eastern Europe between 1922 and 1991, and Animal Farm helped characterise it in the minds of the western world. The union may be over, but its influence is not forgotten.
Could the Soviet Union return? It has become clearer that Vladimir Putin is determined to revive Russia's past power. Is this possible in the digital age?
Will the war in Ukraine ever end? The hideous scenes in Ukraine convey an even more hideous message: Russia wants to destroy a country and its people even if it takes 25 years.
Is this the most dangerous month since 1962? Vladimir Putin unleashed a wave of destruction on Ukrainian cities. Some fear he has nowhere to go but the nuclear option.
The pigs in the novel use songs and slogans to keep the animals in line. While propagandaInformation, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint. was a defining part of the USSR's politics, Animal Farm was often used by western governments for its anti-Soviet message.
Is there a link to Fox News? No public figure has promoted "replacement theory" more loudly or relentlessly in America than Tucker Carlson, a host on Rupert Murdoch's TV channel.
Are wars ultimately won with stories? Beyond all the bombing and shooting, a ferocious no-holds-barred propaganda war is being waged by both Russia and Ukraine.
Is China guilty of genocide in Xinjiang? The New York Times declared that China was committing "the ultimate crime" against its Muslim ethnic Uighurs. China bitterly denies it.
Keywords
Allegorical - Symbolic or metaphorical. A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to tell a broader message about real-world issues.
Joseph Stalin - Dictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.
USSR - The United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA's main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.
Socialist - A term used to describe a range of beliefs that stress collective control of economic processes. In the USA, it usually refers to a group of people who think that the USA ought to be more like European countries, offering universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and stronger workers' rights.
Totalitarian - When a political system or leader requires complete subservience to the state. In a totalitarian system, people are not allowed to express their own opinions.
Egalitarian - Believing that everybody deserves equal rights and opportunities.
Propaganda - Information, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint.
Animal Farm
Glossary
Allegorical - Symbolic or metaphorical. A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to tell a broader message about real-world issues.
Joseph Stalin - Dictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.
USSR - The United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA’s main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.
Socialist - A term used to describe a range of beliefs that stress collective control of economic processes. In the USA, it usually refers to a group of people who think that the USA ought to be more like European countries, offering universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and stronger workers' rights.
Totalitarian - When a political system or leader requires complete subservience to the state. In a totalitarian system, people are not allowed to express their own opinions.
Egalitarian - Believing that everybody deserves equal rights and opportunities.
Propaganda - Information, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint.