Orwell, George: 1903-1950

Animal Farm, 1945 - Thematic Parallels: Revolution

Revolution means a fundamental and often forceful change in the political system or government of a country.
Orwell, George: Animal Farm, 1945
The topic of this novel is how power can corrupt, how revolutions can be betrayed, and how authoritarian regimes manipulate truth to maintain control.
The following books are thematically simliar. They lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Golding, William: Lord of the Flies, 1954 , ~250pp
  This is a novel involving the breakdown of order, how power corrupts, how quickly group norms can slide into cruelty.
  - Both novels explore power, corruption, and the fragility of morality. While "Lord of the Flies" focuses on the psychological and social collapse of humans in isolation, "Animal Farm" examines political manipulation and societal betrayal. Together, they share a pessimistic view of human nature, showing how ideals often fail in the face of fear, ambition, and selfishness.
- Harris, Robert: Imperium, 2006, ~400pp
  This is a novel about political power.
  - Both texts explore how individuals or groups can manipulate political structures to gain absolute power. Both suggest that societies are vulnerable to exploitation when citizens are uninformed or disengaged.
- Maugham, W. Somerset: The Moon and Sixpence, 1919, ~210pp
  This novel contains elements of rebellion against societal norms.
  - Both novels critique society, explore moral ambiguity, and examine the consequences of ambition and rebellion. They reflect on the darker sides of human nature and the conflict between ideals and reality.
- Sillitoe, Alan: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner, 1959, ~170pp
  This is a novel with themes of rebellion against authority.
  - Both works explore the tension between the individual (or oppressed group) and controlling authority, highlighting the moral and personal consequences of resistance. They center on characters who are socially or politically marginalized, emphasizing how power structures exploit the vulnerable.
List of general discussion questions on Revolution (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Revolution (pdf)