Animal Farm - Is it still relevant now?

       Allegory is defined as a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.The novel Animal Farm,written by George Orwell is an allegory of the failed Russian revolution of 1917.The story is about the rebellion of a group of animals against human from the farm they live so that they could live equally. However,the new rule becomes a cruel tyranny of its own led by pigs.I believe that this novel is still relevant now as it makes us realize the importance of education and gives us a warning that should not be ignored.

We can clearly see from chapter 3 onward,there is a divide between ‘the more intelligent animals’ which are the pigs,and the ‘stupidity and apathy’ of the other animals,like the horses and sheep.From this,Orwell has clearly stated the power of knowledge in every one,so that we will not be fooled easily.People in the rural area,for example,usually have lower education compared to the urban population.As education nowadays required a lot of money,only people with rich parents can pursue their studies in top universities and colleges,while the people in rural areas just get basic education and simply trust all the lies given by the leader.I believe that this happens in every country,and the apathy of these people makes it easier for these leaders to bribe them with just small amount of money (or attention) to gain supporters.In the book, Boxer worked really hard to build the windmill and was kept subordinate until his labor was no longer useful,and no longer a threat to the pigs’ power.This blind loyalty finally killed himself when the pigs sent him to be slaughtered when he was sick.

If we remember back in early 2011,Egypt was also suffering from a hard master,during the reign of Hosni Mubarak.The situations there were almost the same with the novel Animal Farm.Hosni Mubarak was associated with corruption, torture and press censorship, as well as the increased in number of imprisonments without trials.When the freedoms were limited and rights were restricted,the people in Egypt come out with the idea of rebellion and they successfully overthrown the government.Mohammad Morsi,was elected as the new leader.I could say that Morsi mirrors Snowball so much based on their similarities in the story.Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,who demonstrates Napoleon in Animal Farm successfully squeezed himself into the storyline  when he managed to unseat Morsi,just like Snowball who lost his power. Sisi has turned the people’s focus against the deposed,exactly the same with how Napoleon turned the farm’s attention toward Snowball.Morsi and Muslims were blamed  and accused for everything bad that happened. Sisi had executed numerous number of Muslim Brotherhood and anyone who supported Morsi,happenstance same with the story in Animal Farm,where Napoleon killed various animals that he claimed supported Snowball.At the end of Animal Farm, Napoleon reconciled with the humans and begins to take on their characteristics ; so El-Sisi was elected as the president after a rush election, and press censorship and imprisonments without trial have resurfaced almost as if Mubarak had never left.

Believe it or not, Orwell had warned us years ago about this political situations that happened since 1917.I know it is naive of me to feel the amazement that a book like Animal Farm could have any relevance today and to think that  Orwell’s warning has been ignored by so many.