Having explored Animal Farm through both the book and its stage adaptation, we were struck by its powerful storytelling and layered themes. It sparked conversations about politics, propaganda, and the complexities of human nature – all conveyed through the lens of a seemingly simple farmyard tale. We wanted to share our reflections on this thought-provoking work, so here are some of our thoughts and impressions.
What makes Animal Farm a powerful story?
While Animal Farm is, on the surface, about a group of livestock who overthrow a corrupt farmer, it actually was predominantly inspired by the Russian Revolution in 1917. Animalism – the ideology developed by the pigs in the beginning of the revolution – represents Communism and Stalinism. The power struggle between the animals and the farmer, and the way that the previously antiauthoritarian animals end up becoming the oppressors, mimics the struggle between Communism and Capitalism. Overall, Animal Farm’s message is that neither economic system is beneficial if fascism is present.
Which character in Animal Farm stood out to you the most, and why?
Snowball was the character who stood out the most to us collectively. Originally, he was the pig who strived for the equality amongst animals, until he was driven away by Napoleon’s dogs. We felt sorry that all the blame was put on him and found that he was a very sympathetic character.
How did the book make you feel?
The play opened our eyes to how propaganda is utilised by the government and other powerful authorities, as well as how fascism infects even the most well-meaning of movements. It made us wonder how the government could be hurting us and tricking people into believing they act in our best interests. We felt upset and sympathetic about the dystopian nature of the farm, as well as angry at Napoleon.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Animal Farm?
We all felt very differently about the overall play and what parts we liked. Ava enjoyed the visual effects and lighting, as well as the costume design and masks. Nell liked that the characters had depth and interesting personalities, as well as the song they sang: Beasts of the World. The circular narrative (how the ending and the start mirrored each other almost perfectly) was well-received by all of us. However, we definitely didn’t like it when Old Major died or when Snowball was driven away. In fact, pretty much every death upset us. Haley felt the plot got repetitive and monotonous after a while.
Does Animal Farm feel realistic or more like a fantasy?
Despite Animal Farm being about talking livestock, we found that it was actually quite realistic. The events of the play could very well happen in real life – in fact, considering it was inspired by a real-world event, one could argue that it already has.
Would you recommend Animal Farm to others?
Overall, we recommend watching the play, or even reading the book, if only to understand the cultural references made to it in everyday life.
