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Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in 1945.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella by George Orwell, first published in 1945. It tells the story of farm animals who rebel against their human owner and attempt to build an equal society, only for the revolution to be corrupted by a new ruling elite. The work is widely read as a political fable about the Russian Revolution and Stalinism.

Plot

The animals of Manor Farm rebel against their human owner, Mr. Jones, and establish a new order based on the principles of Animalism. Over time, the pigs consolidate power, rewrite the rules of Animalism, and become indistinguishable from the humans they replaced.

Themes and interpretation

The novella is widely read as a critique of totalitarianism, propaganda, and the corruption of revolutionary ideals. It is also an allegory of Soviet history, especially the Russian Revolution and the Stalin era.

Publication history

Orwell wrote the work during World War II, and publication was delayed before it appeared in 1945. It was initially rejected by publishers and later became a major success.

Literary significance

Animal Farm is regarded as a classic of modern political literature. Its concise fable form and memorable slogans have helped make it widely studied in schools and universities.

Key facts

  • Originally published in England in 1945.
  • The story follows animals at Manor Farm who overthrow Mr. Jones, their human owner.
  • The novella is commonly interpreted as an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.
  • Its ending presents a dictatorship led by the pigs rather than the equality the animals had sought.
  • It is one of Orwell's best-known and most influential works.
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Canadian context

Animal Farm is widely taught and studied in Canadian schools and universities as a major work of English-language political literature.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Animal Farm?
Animal Farm was written by George Orwell, the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair.
When was Animal Farm first published?
It was first published in England on 17 August 1945.
What kind of book is Animal Farm?
It is an allegorical novella, often described as political satire and a beast fable.
What is Animal Farm about?
It follows farm animals who overthrow their human owner and try to create an equal society, but their revolution is eventually corrupted.
What is Animal Farm an allegory for?
It is commonly read as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism in the Soviet Union.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm
    Supports: Basic bibliographic details, original title, publication date, and plot overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Animal-Farm
    Supports: Genre, allegorical interpretation, and plot summary.
  3. The Orwell Foundation — https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/books-by-orwell/animal-farm/
    Supports: Writing period, publication history, and significance.
  4. BBC Bitesize — https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zw2r96f
    Supports: Educational summary of themes and Russian Revolution allegory.