Animal Farm as it Relates to Humans and Society

How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process

By Theo Edwards

The theme of the book! Animal Farm is about humans and the politics of society. How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story. George Orwell uses a barnyard setting to explore themes of class and power _and how power has swallowed politicians’ common sense

Orwell's theme in Animal Farm is the desire for power. This desire is a closely related theme of corrupt politics. The animals in the story, particularly Napoleon, want more power. 

Orwell's theme in Animal Farm is the desire for power. This desire is the closely related theme of corrupt politics. The animals in the story, particularly Napoleon, want more power. 

The pigs' ever-increasing greed and lust for power are mirrored in their increasing resemblance to the human race. These facts culminate in at least one moral of the story:

when humanity succumbs to acts of greed and oppression, they are even less than animals

The book's final image expresses the animals' realization that the pigs have become as cruel and oppressive as human farmers. The ending makes the argument that political power is always the same. Whoever has it uses whatever ideology to justify it.

Watch a student narrative in the video describing how power has swallowed politicians’ common sense

The theme of the book! Animal Farm, as it relates to humans and society. How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process.

The relevance of Animal Farm symbolizes power and corrupt humans in society—