Animal Farm

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Animal Farm is an easy-to-read fable about revolution, freedom and privilege. It remains as true in South Africa as it was in the Russia Revolution.

Animal Farm opens with a clandestine meeting of the animals of Manor Farm after the owner, Mr. Jones, goes to bed drunk. Old Major, a boar, has a dream of a farm governed by the animals, without Mr. Jones and other humans stealing all of their work. All animals would be free and equal, and work to support themselves instead of their masters.

Old Major dies before his vision is seen, but two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, take up the cause and convince the animals that it's possible. The next time Jones lashes out with cruelty, the animals rebel driving Jones and his wife off the farm.

What follows is the story of the betrayal of the ideal of Revolution and rise of of a new privileged class no better than the old one.