# Animal Farm

> 1945 novella by George Orwell

**Wikidata**: [Q1396889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1396889)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/animal-farm-q1396889

## Summary
*Animal Farm* is a 1945 novella by George Orwell that critiques totalitarianism through an allegorical fable of farm animals rebelling against human oppression. It is widely recognized as a political satire and a foundational work of dystopian literature. The novella is most notably a critique of Soviet communism and the corruption of revolutionary ideals.

## Key Facts
- Published in 1945 by George Orwell.
- Full title: *Animal Farm: A Fairy Story*.
- Publication date: August 17, 1945.
- Published by Harvill Secker (UK).
- Country of origin: United Kingdom.
- Genre: Literary work, fable, roman à clef, political satire.
- Part of the Modern Library 100 Best Novels (as of 1998).
- Follows *Coming Up for Air* (1939) in Orwell's bibliography.
- Precedes *Nineteen Eighty-Four* (1949).
- Written work classified as a subclass of "work of art."
- Contains 92 pages.
- Notable quotes:
  - Opening line: "Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes."
  - Closing line: "The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
- Has received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award.
- Available in multiple languages, including Dutch (La_Ferme_des_animaux), German (farm-der-tiere), and others.
- Has a rich history of adaptations, including film, television, and stage.
- Associated identifiers:
  - VIAF: 184247291
  - GND: 4279895-4
  - LCCN: 3655473
  - OCLC: no2014144000
  - BNF: 11985856j
  - DNB: 002791934X
- Part of multiple literary collections and databases, including:
  - Open Library: OL1168210W, OL1168007W
  - Library of Congress Classification: PR6029.R8 A63 2003b
  - Dewey Decimal: 823.912
  - UDC: 823.912
  - BISAC: LIT000000
- Has a dedicated Wikipedia category: "Animal Farm."
- Has a dedicated Commons category: "Animal Farm."

## FAQs
**What is *Animal Farm*?**  
*Animal Farm* is a 1945 political allegory by George Orwell, originally subtitled *A Fairy Story*. It critiques totalitarianism, particularly Soviet communism, through the story of farm animals who overthrow their human owner, only to become subject to a new form of oppression under their own leaders.

**Who wrote *Animal Farm*?**  
George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) wrote *Animal Farm* in 1945. He is also known for *Nineteen Eighty-Four* and other works of political fiction.

**What genre is *Animal Farm*?**  
It is classified as a literary work, fable, and roman à clef. It is also considered a political satire and dystopian literature.

**When was *Animal Farm* published?**  
It was first published on August 17, 1945, by Harvill Secker in the United Kingdom.

**What is the main theme of *Animal Farm*?**  
The novella critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals, particularly focusing on the betrayal of socialist principles in the Soviet Union. It uses the allegory of animals taking over a farm to mirror the events of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.

**What is the significance of the title *Animal Farm: A Fairy Story*?**  
The subtitle *A Fairy Story* is ironic, as the novella is not a traditional fairy tale but a satirical allegory. It reflects Orwell's intent to critique political realities through a deceptively simple narrative.

**What is the structure of *Animal Farm*?**  
The novella is divided into ten chapters and includes a framing story, a rebellion, and a descent into tyranny. It ends with the famous line: "The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."

**What awards has *Animal Farm* received?**  
It has been recognized by the *Modern Library 100 Best Novels* list and has received the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award.

**What is the historical context of *Animal Farm*?**  
The novella was written in the aftermath of World War II and reflects Orwell's disillusionment with Soviet communism, particularly Stalinism. It is widely interpreted as a critique of the betrayal of the Russian Revolution.

**What is the legacy of *Animal Farm*?**  
It remains one of the most influential political allegories in literature, introducing terms like "Orwellian" and "Big Brother" into global discourse. It is studied in schools and universities as a key text in political literature.

## Why It Matters
*Animal Farm* is a seminal work of political satire that critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the dangers of totalitarianism. Its enduring relevance lies in its ability to reflect the cyclical nature of power and the ease with which noble causes can be subverted by self-interest. The novella's allegorical structure allows it to transcend its historical context, making it a timeless commentary on political betrayal and ideological decay. Its influence extends beyond literature into political science, philosophy, and education, where it is frequently taught as a case study in authoritarianism and propaganda.

## Notable For
- Being a foundational work of dystopian and political literature.
- Serving as a critique of Soviet communism and the betrayal of socialist ideals.
- Introducing the term "Orwellian" into global discourse.
- Being recognized by the *Modern Library 100 Best Novels* list.
- Influencing political thought and inspiring the term "Big Brother."
- Being adapted into multiple media formats, including film, television, and stage.
- Inspiring the *Orwell Prize* for political writing.
- Being one of the most widely read and studied novellas in English literature.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
*Animal Farm* is a 1945 novella by George Orwell, originally subtitled *A Fairy Story*. It is a literary work and a fable, often categorized as a roman à clef and political satire. The novella critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals, particularly focusing on the betrayal of socialist principles in the Soviet Union. It is widely interpreted as a critique of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.

### Publication History
- Published on August 17, 1945, by Harvill Secker in the United Kingdom.
- The novella was initially rejected by several publishers due to its controversial content.
- It was later published in the United States by Harcourt Brace.
- The work has been reprinted numerous times and translated into multiple languages.

### Literary Context and Genre
*Animal Farm* is a work of political fiction and allegory. It is often classified as a fable, using anthropomorphized animals to illustrate moral and political lessons. The novella is also considered a foundational work of dystopian literature, critiquing the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of power.

### Awards and Recognition
- Recognized by the *Modern Library 100 Best Novels* list (as of 1998).
- Recipient of the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award.
- Frequently cited in political and literary discourse as a key text in understanding authoritarianism.

### Themes and Symbolism
The novella explores themes of power, corruption, and betrayal. It uses the allegory of animals taking over a farm to mirror the events of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. The story's famous closing line, "The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which," encapsulates the novella's central critique of the indistinguishability between oppressors and the oppressed.

### Cultural and Educational Impact
*Animal Farm* remains one of the most widely read and studied novellas in English literature. It is frequently taught in schools and universities as a case study in political literature and propaganda. The novella's influence extends beyond literature into political science, philosophy, and education, where it is used to explore themes of authoritarianism and ideological decay.

### Related Works and Adaptations
- Preceded by *Coming Up for Air* (1939) in Orwell's bibliography.
- Followed by *Nineteen Eighty-Four* (1949), another seminal work by Orwell.
- Adapted into multiple media formats, including film, television, and stage.
- Inspired the *Orwell Prize* for political writing, which honors Orwell's commitment to truthful political commentary.

### Author and Legacy
George Orwell (1903–1950) was a British writer and journalist best known for his dystopian novels *Animal Farm* and *Nineteen Eighty-Four*. His works critique totalitarianism and social injustice, introducing terms like "Big Brother," "Newspeak," and "Orwellian" into global discourse. Orwell's influence extends beyond literature into political thought, where his concepts remain relevant in discussions of modern governance and media.

### Connections and References
- The novella is part of the *Modern Library 100 Best Novels* list.
- It is frequently referenced in political and literary discourse as a key text in understanding authoritarianism.
- The work has inspired numerous adaptations and reinterpretations, including film, television, and stage.
- It is part of the broader field of literature and is frequently studied in academic contexts for its political and social commentary.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/1946-retro-hugo-awards/)
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q214859)
5. [Source](https://aralper.xyz/jnL9BW7olBSMNgJWNZLVRKEA5slpd5fMFWZ01JjSJtE)
6. [Animal Farm by George Orwell | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1168007W/Animal_Farm?edition=key%3A/books/OL23269355M)
7. [Animal Farm: At a Glance | CliffsNotes](https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/a/animal-farm/animal-farm-at-a-glance)
8. [Source](https://altamontenterprise.com/opinion/columns/field-notes/09212023/imagine-boot-stamping-human-face-ever)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](http://classify.oclc.org/classify2/ClassifyDemo?wi=250525)
12. Goodreads
13. [Animal Farm MBTI Personality Type - Literature](https://www.personality-database.com/profile?pid=2&cid=12&sub_cat_id=604)
14. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute