LHP 410: EFFECTIVE READING

(BOOK REVIEW: ANIMAL FARM BY GEORGE ORWELL)

PREPARED BY:

MUHAMMAD NAJMI BIN ZAINUDIN (151313)

PREPARED FOR:

MADAM NORAIDA BINTI KAMARUDIN

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

18 JANUARY 2024
Book Review (Animal Farm by George Orwell)
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a political satire, true story inspired and a textbook
on how to be a dictator all in one. It was published in 1945 when World War 1 just ended and
the nationalism in people was still at an all-time high. It depicts the negative side of society
that wanted a perfect society. It is like it never would have happened. As this book serves as
a warning towards the dangers of politics, social and the lack of education leads to much a
worse situation.

The story starts on Manor Farm, where the animals under the leadership of the pigs,
Napoleon and Snowball, rise against their oppressive human owner, Mr. Jones. The rebellion
succeeds, and the animals take control of the farm, thus renaming it Animal Farm. However,
the more intelligent pigs who lead the animals eventually undermine the revolution and start a
dictatorship under Napoleon.

Orwell's choice of animals as characters is on point. The personification on these

animals is clever, as it allows him to personify different social classes, behaviour, reaction and
mindset from each animal. The star of the show, the pigs, with an obvious personification that
come from their own behaviour of greed, hunger and dirty. The pigs in this story is clever,
power hunger, and manipulative, much as their reflection on their animal side in real world.
The dogs are just an obedience server and enforcer, just like what a dog is to human. Then
come other animals like horse, goat, donkey, sheep, chicken, and bird. All carries an ordinary
persona of a human that doing work based on what they good at. Not much to say especially
when a much smarter animal like the pigs tell them what to do. Orwell ability to create a much
humanly persona on animals is brilliance. It gives the story the satire sense much straight
forward. It like reading a book full of human not animal. Weird way to put it in perspective of
the book but it is what it is. Animal does behave like human, almost every kind of human.

Another aspect that I like about this story is how simple and straightforward the
language is. Reading this book feels like a walk in a park. The straightforward language makes
this book readable by wider range of audience as the message of this story is for all to digest.
The story does not have heavy backstory to the existence timeline as it is easier for readers
to understand current situations just as it is. Orwell's writing is noticeably clear and direct. The
language is not overly complex, thus allowing readers to easily follow the plot and understand
the underlying messages. As this book is an allegory, the use of language is to draw a clear
comparison between the story and real-world historical and political events. It is full of satirical
tone, that critique political systems and human behaviour. The use of satirical language adds
depth to the narrative of the story. The choice of words from all characters mimics the actions
and ideologies they represent from real world.
 Personally, the theme of this book is spot on. One of the central themes of "Animal
Farm" is the corruption of power. Motivated by the desire for equality, the pigs gradually
become indistinguishable from the oppressive humans they replaced. This shown how power
can change people or in this story, animal to be like something they once opposed. Another
theme of the book is class struggle and inequality. The novel portrays the exploitation of the
other animals (working class) by the pigs (the ruling class). As reading the book we can see
that the initial vision of equality is slowly disappear chapter by chapter. Then, a new hierarchy
emerge thus highlighting the struggle for social justice. These two main themes capture the
story on a much serious note. Even though the book is such an enjoyable of a story, the theme
is quite heavy. It brings out the real struggle of the real world and put in an animal term despite
it does not feels like animal after all. It all feels real, genuine, and authentic on how the
oppressor oppress the people. If this book is being read by people from an oppressive country,
a revolution might be inevitable.

For conclusion, George Orwell's "Animal Farm," is an allegorical trip through the pitfalls
of uncontrolled leadership, the complexity of power, and the collapse of values. With the use
of a simple language that cuts through the layers of political rhetoric, Orwell resonate this book
as a timeless commentary on the corrupting influence of power. The representation of animal
with personification of a human makes it even deeper and meaningful story directly at
humanity. As it says if you are too ignorant to understand human, this book teaches you to
understand animals as human and that might give people better lesson. "Animal Farm" is a
literary masterpiece and a powerful mirror reflecting the truths of human nature and the
recurring patterns of human history.