Animal Farm
Pigs seize power
Animal Farm is a 1945 novella by George Orwell in which farm animals overthrow their human master, only to see their revolution corrupted by the pigs who lead it.
The book satirizes Soviet totalitarianism, with the pigs representing the Communist Party elite.
Its phrases have entered common usage: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
The title itself evokes any organization where proclaimed ideals mask the self-interest of those in charge.
Moral tale with animals
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
anthropomorphism · moral · satire · microcosm · representation · figurative · social commentary · critique
- literatureBody of written works
- fictionImagined narrative work
- classicOf lasting excellence
- novellaShort fictional book
English literature · 1945 · banned book · Cold War · characters · plot · theme · commandments
Dishonest abuse of power
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- leadershipAbility to direct others
tyranny · exploitation · manipulation · pigs · Napoleon · ruling class · hierarchy · privilege
French emperor, military genius
- BenjaminHebrew-origin masculine name
- CloverNature-inspired proper name
- MollieTropical aquarium fish
- MosesHebrew prophet, liberator
dogs · sheep · hens · pigs · horses · donkey · raven · humans
State controls everything absolutely
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
Big Brother · Orwellian · dictatorship · police state · repression · brainwashing · indoctrination · censorship
Catchy promotional catchphrases
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
rhetoric · doublethink · newspeak · lies · persuasion · spin · deception · justification
Defiance of established power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- liberationRelease from constraint
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
insurrection · resistance · idealism · betrayal · equality · collective action · working class · struggle
fable
Moral tale with animals
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
personification · anthropomorphism · moral · satire · microcosm · representation · figurative · social commentary · critique · irony
George Orwell
- literatureBody of written works
- fictionImagined narrative work
- classicOf lasting excellence
novella · English literature · 1945 · banned book · Cold War · characters · plot · theme · commandments · windmill
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
leadership · tyranny · exploitation · manipulation · pigs · Napoleon · ruling class · hierarchy · privilege · inequality
Napoleon
French emperor, military genius
Moses · dogs · sheep · hens · pigs · horses · donkey · raven · humans · windmill
totalitarianism
State controls everything absolutely
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
surveillance · Big Brother · Orwellian · dictatorship · police state · repression · brainwashing · indoctrination · censorship · despotism
slogans
Catchy promotional catchphrases
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
indoctrination · rhetoric · doublethink · newspeak · lies · persuasion · spin · deception · justification · commandments
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- liberationRelease from constraint
revolt · insurrection · resistance · idealism · betrayal · equality · collective action · working class · struggle · change
- 20th Century Books1984, Brave New World, Catch-22, Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby
- Classic BooksPride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Moby Dick, Moby-Dick, Great Expectations
- classicsHomer, Iliad, the Iliad, Odyssey, the Odyssey
- Pigs in FictionThree Little Pigs, Charlotte's Web, Wilbur, Babe, Napoleon
- School ClassicsTo Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, Romeo and Juliet, The Scarlet Letter
- banned books1984, Brave New World, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lady Chatterley, Lolita
Animal FarmWar and Peace
Opposing states of nations
memoir · autobiography · documentary · historical account · eyewitness account
farm, animal, farming, farmer, animals, agriculture, farms, farmed, farmers