Classic satirical allegory about the abuse of power.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
The animals rebel against their human master and chase him from the farm. When Farmer Jones returns with his neighbors, now armed with a gun, the animals attack the intruders and inflict various bites and cuts on them. Later, the pigs use their guard dogs to keep order on the farm. Some animals are publicly executed for crimes for which they've supposedly confessed. Animals die in another battle with the humans. The violence in the novel isn't described in detail, but its emotional implications might be upsetting.
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George Orwell's novel about totalitarianism in general and Stalinism in particular is one of the most famous satires in the English language. It comments on Soviet Russia specifically and human folly in general. That said, extra research is needed to tie the characters and events of Animal Farm to their counterparts in history.
Positive Messages
some
The main message of Animal Farm is pretty bleak -- in essence, "Don't let this happen." Most animals mean well and want their farm to succeed, but none are a match for the treachery of their leaders. It takes humility, perseverance, and teamwork to achieve something seemingly impossible, like animals running their own farm. You need courage to speak out against injustice and integrity to make the world better for others (which the surviving animals ultimately lack).
Positive Role Models
some
Many of the characters care about their community, but few understand how they're being exploited until it's too late. For example, Boxer the horse steadfastly supports the farm and pushes himself to great acts of strength for the good of all. But even he is unprepared for his ultimate fate once he's no longer needed. Animals like Snowball, the four feeder pigs, and the hens show courage and integrity in standing up for what's right, but they're overwhelmed by Napoleon and his corrupt followers.
Diverse Representations
very little
The different animal species represent human social classes. Pigs place themselves at the top of the hierarchy along with the dogs they've trained to serve them, and they classify everyone else on the farm as a "lower animal." The few humans in this world are presumably White and mostly male. Female representation is limited: There's the steadfast, matronly horse Clover, who mostly tends to her partner, Boxer, and the shallow, vain horse Mollie, who leaves the farm early on. Other women play small roles, from the farmer's wife to the hens and sows.
Parents need to know that Animal Farm is George Orwell's biting satire of totalitarianism, written in the wake of World War II and published amid the rise of Soviet Russia. Though it tells a fairly simple story of barnyard animals trying to manage themselves after rebelling against their masters, the novel demonstrates how easily good intentions can cross into tyranny. The animals create rules for their new farm, including no killing and no alcohol, but the pigs slowly change the rules, leading to executions and frequent drunkenness on their part. There are a couple of battles between the animals and the humans, who are eager to regain control, but violence isn't described in detail. Most of the animals show perseverance, humility, and teamwork, but admirable characters such as the hard-working horse Boxer and the idealistic pig Snowball are tragically overwhelmed by the selfish, scheming pig Napoleon and his corrupt regime.
I think that Animal Farm is a great book. Orwell uses many techniques in this book. He uses Propaganda, Allegory, and many more. Also, every single character in the book is written well. Every single one has a purpose. Animal Farm is a book that makes you question things about it. It is very fun to read as they’re many shocking moments in the book. Many of the characters in the book are very enjoyable. As some of the animals are very dumb and they are not able to comprehend simple things.
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF HISTORY : Squealer VS. Joseph Stalin
SPOILERS
Honestly If you want your child to be educated on the evil ways of language abusing leaders
and their cruel ruling over their people this is the book for them. A good way to teach people to not let power get to your head. The book starts as a farm of animals revolting on their drunk farmer.
And it ends with the same cruel leadership but by an animal.
Basically Dictators are bad, so is communism.
What's the Story?
In ANIMAL FARM, animals rise up against the oppressive Farmer Jones and chase him away. They plan to run the farm themselves, for their own benefit. At first, the animals are able to work together and support one another. But gradually the pigs make suggestions about how the farm should be run. Before long, the pigs are at the top of the social ladder, and the rest of the animals are wondering what happened.
The story and language are very simple but unnervingly precise as this scathing book depicts each step on the road from revolution to tyranny. Animal Farm has been popular and highly acclaimed since its publication in 1945, and rightly so. It's a deceptively simple parable that makes strong points about the importance of education, the perils of propaganda, and the need to keep all leaders in check. It's crushing to watch the idealism of the animals get twisted and taken advantage of by greedy leaders (even more so when we remember this was based on actual human events). Telling the story through familiar barnyard animals makes the bitter pill easier to swallow. In 2005, Time magazine chose it as one of the 100 best English-language novels, and the book ranks at 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th Century Novels.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about totalitarianism in Animal Farm: what it means, how it shaped the 20th century, and whether it still exists today.
Soon after they take over the farm, the animals agree to follow "The Seven Commandments." The rules seem fairly basic, but they're changed over the course of the novel. How do leaders today change the rules to achieve their own agendas?
One of the novel's most famous quotes is "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." What might that paradoxical statement mean?
Why do you think Animal Farm is often required reading in school?
How do the animals on Animal Farm show perseverance, humility, and teamwork? Which characters show courage and integrity? Why are these important character strengths? How might more courage and integrity from the rest of the characters have changed the story?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
