Animal Farm, a short story by George Orwell, tells the story of the oppressed animals of Manor Farm, who, after much oppression at the hands of their master, return to farm for themselves. At first it seems like the start of a life of freedom and abundance, but a ruthless and cunning elite emerges and begins to take control of the farm. The animals find themselves trapped once again as one form of tyranny gradually replaces the other. The short story is a critique of revolutionary Russia and the idealism betrayed by power and corruption. Orwell uses the allegory between Animal Farm and the Soviet Union to highlight the corruption of socialist ideals in the Soviet Union, the power of language and propaganda, and the dangers of a naive working class. One of the main themes of the short story is how easily pure ideals can be corrupted, as was the case in the Soviet Union. The novel opens with Old Major, a character who represents Karl Marx, recounting the animals on his Orwell's farm and highlights how powerful the use of language and propaganda can be when used to control society. Company. One of the first times ...