Sunday, October 24, 2010

Animal Farm

Animal Farm
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10
Erin’s ESS = out of 10
Content = PG (Animal Adult Content, Animal Violence, Animal Strife, Animal Hardships)

Why: What could be more innocent than a book about talking farm animals with larger than life personalities?  You’ll find out what happens when a group of animals decide to rise up and rebel against their farmer.  If we didn’t know any better we’d say this entire story was a metaphor for some greater social issue. 

Not to be confused with Animal Factory, which is a movie starring that kid from the second Terminator movie, Animal Farm has several important life lessons regarding pigs.  We have highlighted them in order of significance:

-          Never give a paintbrush to a pig.
-          Under no circumstances should you let a pig negotiate an important business transaction.
-          Remain suspicious if a pig ever recommends a trip to the “veterinarian”.
-          Never give power to a group of pigs, especially if they can walk on two hoofs and play cards.

George Orwell’s novella remains controversial and has experienced its fair share of challenges since its publication in 1945.  Nonetheless, its commercial success is indisputable as well as its familiar spot on multiple “best of” reading lists.  Is it possible we completely missed the point Orwell was trying to get across?  Nah.

Editor’s Note: George Orwell’s real name was Eric Arthur Blair.  Ha-ha, Mr. Orwell, you can’t hide from us!

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