Writing under his pen name George Orwell, Eric Blair, a prominent British political writer, entitled one of his most influential novels Animal Farm. Although the title gives the impression of a simple fairy tale, Animal Farm is comprised of underlying complex and historically significant political theories and events. These theories and events emerge on this simple farm and draw direct parallels to the Soviet Communist Revolution, often called the Russian Revolution. This parable has often been regarded as one of the most influential political statements of the 20th century.

Animal Farm, which was published in 1945, is set on an English Farm in the early to mid 1900s. Though time has no real relevance to events in the story, it has a greater impact on the author, who wrote the book during the turbulent 1930s and 40s. Political systems and economic systems were in turmoil as the industrial revolution took hold, but economic prosperity was only for the ruling and educated classes. The religious concepts in Animal Farm draw from the simplicity of the animal s day-to-day lives and the idealization of the past through stories. The shift to Animalism meant the simplicity of life, or opiate of the masses must stop. Life was now based on becoming loyal and a hard worker. The setting, or environment, of the farm allowed Animalism to flourish. Since the rural farm never saw many people, animals had the conditions and capability to begin and carry out their plans. Socially, the animals were governed under a communism, leaving the working class less equal than the leaders and architects of the animal revolution.

The most important factor in Animal Farm was its political climate. During this period, there was turmoil in Eastern Europe. During the 1910s, Russia was still under the rule of Czar Nicholas II. In 1917, Nicholas abdicated, and left Premier Alexander Kerensky in charge. Later that year, Kerensky was asked to resign and Vladimir Lenin, knows as the architect of the revolution became the head of state. Lenin had several cronies who vied for leadership in this newly formed style of government. Two emerging leaders, Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin, battled for Lenin s power until he died in 1924. Stalin emerged victorious. Stalin s alliance against Trotsky became evident after Lenin s death, and many other complexities of their relationship have just now surfaced. The nation was left in tumult and Stalin s dictatorial militant leadership during the period of transition to communism. Just like this, in Animal Farm, the farm, after going through these changes was successful until the greedy and militant nature of the leaders (Napoleon and his KGB like cronies) became the downfall of this society. Another interesting fact is that each character in the Russian Revolution is played by an animal on the Animal Farm. A few examples include Napoleon as Stalin, Trotsky and Snowball and Lenin as the old pig who dies early in the book. Each character in the book reacted in similar was as in real life, and is very comparable.

Animal Farm was a complex book, but was easier to understand just through the simple nature of its plot. The events in the book show the theories directly parallel to the Soviet Communist Revolution, often called the Russian Revolution. This parable has often been regarded as one of the most influential political statements of the 20th century, and will continue to enlighten people on the issue of communism.