George Orwell - ‘Animal Farm’
“ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS” - (Orwell 1945).
George Orwell is a favourite author of mine. Specifically, his ability to tackle significant societal and political issues through subtle means and layered narratives is something I personally find to be inspiring. For example, his work on ‘Animal Farm’ is a critique of authoritarianism, propaganda and the distortion of truth without directly stating their real-world parallels.
Additionally, Orwell allows readers to draw connections themselves, making the messages timeless and adaptable to various contexts. This indirect approach resonates with how people value storytelling that engages with critical ideas while leaving space for deeper interpretation and thought.
In Animal Farm, the key theme of conflict resolution is examined in a very negative light, showing just how much revolutions can spiral into oppression when power is concentrated in the hands of a few. Orwell uses the farm animals’ uprising and the subsequent establishment of a new regime to explore the breakdown of idealistic resolution into corrupt authoritarianism.
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The animals' rebellion against Mr. Jones represents their attempt to resolve the oppression and inequality they suffer under human rule. The animals initially seek a utopian resolution, where all animals are equal and live in harmony, reflecting the Marxist idea of revolution as the first step toward resolving class struggle.
However, Orwell uses this to show that resolution is not achieved by merely overthrowing the oppressor. In fact, the rebellion serves only to replace one form of tyranny with another, as the pigs assume power.
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The pigs, especially Napoleon, quickly betray the original ideals of Animalism, which promised equality and fairness for all. As the pigs consolidate power, the possibility of a true resolution fades. It’s clear that Napoleon’s ascent to absolute power is meant to mirror Stalin’s betrayal of communist ideals after the Russian Revolution, showing how initial promises of resolution can devolve into totalitarianism.
The animals believe in the pigs' propaganda and continue to work harder, thinking that their sacrifices will eventually lead to the resolution they hoped for. However, Orwell portrays this as a false hope, one manipulated by those in power to maintain control rather than achieve equality.
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Shawshank Redemption Link (Redemption Theme) - There is a similar theme to this present in Shawshank Redemption as both narratives show how individuals in positions of power manipulate and exploit idealistic values for personal gain. The warden uses the front of religious morality to control and exploit Andy, like Napoleon betrays the principles of equality and fairness that inspired the animals' rebellion.
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A key element in the failure to achieve true resolution is manipulation. Specifically, the manipulation of truth. Squealer, acting as the regime’s propagandist, is able to continuously rewrite history and bends the commandments of Animalism to suit the pigs’ actions. The animals are misled into believing that they are working toward resolution when in reality, their situation worsens.
This highlights the dangers of propaganda in obstructing true resolution by distorting reality.
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Characters like Boxer never achieve personal resolution. His belief in hard work and loyalty to the regime is exploited and he is ultimately betrayed when he is sent to the glue factory. Boxer’s tragic fate emphasises the novel’s broader theme, that in corrupt systems, personal resolution is often unattainable for those already exploited.
The animals who realise the truth too late, like Clover, experience deep internal conflict as they come to terms with the betrayal of their revolution. However, they are powerless to change their fate, reflecting the disillusionment Orwell saw in post-revolutionary societies.
“These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip, all equal, each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak, as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech. Instead--she did not know why--they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes.” - Orwell, G. (2000) Animal Farm. London: Penguin Books, p. 67.
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Add on. Appreciation and inspiration from the ‘Personal Resolution’ aspect of ‘Animal Farm’ (Accidental character swap: Clover is the female pig, I was thinking about Boxer for some reason.)
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Ideological opposition is a clash of beliefs. Unlike a disagreement based on misunderstanding, this kind of opposition is much more deeper and focuses on the characters’ core values, often putting them at odds in ways that make compromise feel impossible.
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Opposition and Distrust
One group holds distinct values or customs. The ruler over all the groups views this difference as a threat to societal order or his control.
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Suppression and Action