Is hierarchy embedded in thesocial fabric where one segment of society dominates others? Or is it possible
to have equality in principle? More importantly, what is equality? Is it in the freedom of expression, equal income or equal access to resources? There is a saying that everyone can be equally poor, but not equally rich.
This book Animal Farm brings thequestion of equality at the forefront. Set Imperialism against Communism, the book reveals how hierarchal structures evolve from an equal one. More importantly, though a bit subtle, the book illustrates that courage of some and silence of others play an essential role in developing such structure. Lack of education and fear also contributes.
Further Hidden in this classicbook by George Orwell is the fact whether equality is fair. What is one works
harder than others, or is more productive, yet receives same remuneration? The cat in the book always evade work but still gets unrestricted access to food, while the horse labors all day with no privilege access.
This question is more importantthan it initially seems. It is not restricted to the type of government one
pursues, i.e. democratic, imperialistic and communist, but expands its footprint to economic structure from capitalism to socialism to communism. It also encompasses modern businesses. Should there be managers, CEOs and shareholders in a company? Or cooperative model or other non-hierarchal
structure can equally deliver job growth and profits?
Written in a satirical form, thebook shows that merely ousting a dictatorial regime is not enough, the
rebellion needs an alternative form of structure that can be sustained with checks and balances. As in the end the book amusingly states “All people are equal, but some are more equal than others.” Or as a French saying goes, “More things change, more they remain the same.”
George Orwell’s novel have ahabit of being real to every generation, despite being written decades ago.
This short novel is a page turner. Not sure why it was rejected several times before eventually being published. I guess that is the story of all great novels.
I couldn’t have read thisbook at better location: during a flight from New Delhi, India to Tokyo, Japan,
via flying over China. Three different countries, three different systems, and one hell of a reading.
