Does the writer/ author  have any expectations of the reader in Animal Farm?

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durbanville | High School Teacher | (Level 2) Educator Emeritus

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Animal Farm can actually be enjoyed without any real knowledge of George Orwell's intention when he wrote it. George Orwell was affected and certainly disillusioned by his own experiences and felt that any political leaders, once they tasted power,  usurped and manipulated the masses. especially those who did not know any better.

A knowledge of the Russian Revolution and the fact that Mr Jones signifies Czar Nicholas II and Napolean represents Stalin may help a reader understand  George Orwell better but the story - a fable - can be easily understood ."All animals are equal but some are more equal that others" is really quite self-explanatory. 

Mankind has a problem and mankind tends to be obtuse when seeking to understand the problems that stem from mankind itself.  George Orwell's main aim was to reach people to make them see that, even socialists, any person in power, has the capacity to misuse his power. Socialism and Marxism were principles that believed in redistribution of wealth but ultimately, the leaders were affected by their own importance.

Hence, Animal Farm is a perfect example of the abuse of power.  It is simplified through the use of animals but still renders the same result.  George Orwell has no expectations of his readers; otherwise he would have written a strictly historical novel about the Russian Revolution.  The novel is open to interpretation.



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