what is a good conclusion for an animal farm essay

A Summary and Analysis of George Orwell’s Animal Farm

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Animal Farm is, after Nineteen Eighty-Four , George Orwell’s most famous book. Published in 1945, the novella (at under 100 pages, it’s too short to be called a full-blown ‘novel’) tells the story of how a group of animals on a farm overthrow the farmer who puts them to work, and set up an equal society where all animals work and share the fruits of their labours.

However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that the society the animals have constructed is not equal at all. It’s well-known that the novella is an allegory for Communist Russia under Josef Stalin, who was leader of the Soviet Union when Orwell wrote the book. Before we dig deeper into the context and meaning of Animal Farm with some words of analysis, it might be worth refreshing our memories with a brief summary of the novella’s plot.

Animal Farm: plot summary

The novella opens with an old pig, named Major, addressing his fellow animals on Manor Farm. Major criticises Mr Jones, the farmer who owns Manor Farm, because he controls the animals, takes their produce (the hens’ eggs, the cows’ milk), but gives them little in return. Major tells the other animals that man, who walks on two feet unlike the animals who walk on four, is their enemy.

They sing a rousing song in favour of animals, ‘Beasts of England’. Old Major dies a few days later, but the other animals have been inspired by his message.

Two pigs in particular, Snowball and Napoleon, rouse the other animals to take action against Mr Jones and seize the farm for themselves. They draw up seven commandments which all animals should abide by: among other things, these commandments forbid an animal to kill another animal, and include the mantra ‘four legs good, two legs bad’, because animals (who walk on four legs) are their friends while their two-legged human overlords are evil. (We have analysed this famous slogan here .)

The animals lead a rebellion against Mr Jones, whom they drive from the farm. They rename Manor Farm ‘Animal Farm’, and set about running things themselves, along the lines laid out in their seven commandments, where every animal is equal. But before long, it becomes clear that the pigs – especially Napoleon and Snowball – consider themselves special, requiring special treatment, as the leaders of the animals.

Nevertheless, when Mr Jones and some of the other farmers lead a raid to try to reclaim the farm, the animals work together to defend the farm and see off the men. A young farmhand is knocked unconscious, and initially feared dead.

Things begin to fall apart: Napoleon’s windmill, which he has instructed the animals to build, is vandalised and he accuses Snowball of sabotaging it. Snowball is banished from the farm. During winter, many of the animals are on the brink of starvation.

Napoleon engineers it so that when Mr Whymper, a man from a neighbouring farm with whom the pigs have started to trade (so the animals can acquire the materials they need to build the windmill), visits the farm, he overhears the animals giving a positive account of life on Animal Farm.

Without consulting the hens first, Napoleon organises a deal with Mr Whymper which involves giving him many of the hens’ eggs. They rebel against him, but he starves them into submission, although not before nine hens have died. Napoleon then announces that Snowball has been visiting the farm at night and destroying things.

Napoleon also claims that Snowball has been in league with Mr Jones all the time, and that even at the Battle of the Cowshed (as the animals are now referring to the farmers’ unsuccessful raid on the farm) Snowball was trying to sabotage the fight so that Jones won.

The animals are sceptical about this, because they all saw Snowball bravely fighting alongside them. Napoleon declares he has discovered ‘secret documents’ which prove Snowball was in league with their enemy.

Life on Animal Farm becomes harder for the animals, and Boxer, while labouring hard to complete the windmill, falls and injures his lung. The pigs arrange for him to be taken away and treated, but when the van arrives and takes him away, they realise too late that the van belongs to a man who slaughters horses, and that Napoleon has arranged for Boxer to be taken away to the knacker’s yard and killed.

Squealer lies to the animals, though, and when he announces Boxer’s death two days later, he pretends that the van had been bought by a veterinary surgeon who hadn’t yet painted over the old sign on the side of the van. The pigs take to wearing green ribbons and order in another crate of whisky for them to drink; they don’t share this with the other animals.

A few years pass, and some of the animals die, Napoleon and Squealer get fatter, and none of the animals is allowed to retire, as previously promised. The farm gets bigger and richer, but the luxuries the animals had been promised never materialised: they are told that the real pleasure is derived from hard work and frugal living.

Then, one day, the animals see Squealer up on his hind legs, walking on two legs like a human instead of on four like an animal.

The other pigs follow; and Clover and Benjamin discover that the seven commandments written on the barn wall have been rubbed off, to be replace by one single commandment: ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ The pigs start installing radio and a telephone in the farmhouse, and subscribe to newspapers.

Finally, the pigs invite humans into the farm to drink with them, and announce a new partnership between the pigs and humans. Napoleon announces to his human guests that the name of the farm is reverting from Animal Farm to the original name, Manor Farm.

The other animals from the farm, observing this through the window, can no longer tell which are the pigs and which are the men, because Napoleon and the other pigs are behaving so much like men now.

Things have gone full circle: the pigs are no different from Mr Jones (indeed, are worse).

Animal Farm: analysis

First, a very brief history lesson, by way of context for Animal Farm . In 1917, the Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, was overthrown by Communist revolutionaries.

These revolutionaries replaced the aristocratic rule which had been a feature of Russian society for centuries with a new political system: Communism, whereby everyone was equal. Everyone works, but everyone benefits equally from the results of that work. Josef Stalin became leader of Communist Russia, or the Soviet Union, in the early 1920s.

However, it soon became apparent that Stalin’s Communist regime wasn’t working: huge swathes of the population were working hard, but didn’t have enough food to survive. They were starving to death.

But Stalin and his politicians, who themselves were well-off, did nothing to combat this problem, and indeed actively contributed to it. But they told the people that things were much better since the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsar, than things had been before, under Nicholas II. The parallels with Orwell’s Animal Farm are crystal-clear.

Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the formation of a Communist regime in Russia (as the Soviet Union). We offer a fuller definition of allegory in a separate post, but the key thing is that, although it was subtitled A Fairy Story , Orwell’s novella is far from being a straightforward tale for children. It’s also political allegory, and even satire.

The cleverness of Orwell’s approach is that he manages to infuse his story with this political meaning while also telling an engaging tale about greed, corruption, and ‘society’ in a more general sense.

One of the commonest techniques used in both Stalinist Russia and in Animal Farm is what’s known as ‘gaslighting’ (meaning to manipulate someone by psychological means so they begin to doubt their own sanity; the term is derived from the film adaptation of Gaslight , a play by Patrick Hamilton).

For instance, when Napoleon and the other pigs take to eating their meals and sleeping in the beds in the house at Animal Farm, Clover is convinced this goes against one of the seven commandments the animals drew up at the beginning of their revolution.

But one of the pigs has altered the commandment (‘No animal shall sleep in a bed’), adding the words ‘ with sheets ’ to the end of it. Napoleon and the other pigs have rewritten history, but they then convince Clover that she is the one who is mistaken, and that she’s misremembered what the wording of the commandment was.

Another example of this technique – which is a prominent feature of many totalitarian regimes, namely keep the masses ignorant as they’re easier to manipulate that way – is when Napoleon claims that Snowball has been in league with Mr Jones all along. When the animals question this, based on all of the evidence to the contrary, Napoleon and Squealer declare they have ‘secret documents’ which prove it.

But the other animals can’t read them, so they have to take his word for it. Squealer’s lie about the van that comes to take Boxer away (he claims it’s going to the vet, but it’s clear that Boxer is really being taken away to be slaughtered) is another such example.

Communist propaganda

Much as Stalin did in Communist Russia, Napoleon actively rewrites history , and manages to convince the animals that certain things never happened or that they are mistaken about something. This is a feature that has become more and more prominent in political society, even in non-totalitarian ones: witness our modern era of ‘fake news’ and media spin where it becomes difficult to ascertain what is true any more.

The pigs also convince the other animals that they deserve to eat the apples themselves because they work so hard to keep things running, and that they will have an extra hour in bed in the mornings. In other words, they begin to become the very thing they sought to overthrow: they become like man.

They also undo the mantra that ‘all animals are equal’, since the pigs clearly think they’re not like the other animals and deserve special treatment. Whenever the other animals question them, one question always succeeds in putting an end to further questioning: do they want to see Jones back running the farm? As the obvious answer is ‘no’, the pigs continue to get away with doing what they want.

Squealer is Napoleon’s propagandist, ensuring that the decisions Napoleon makes are ‘spun’ so that the other animals will accept them and carry on working hard.

And we can draw a pretty clear line between many of the major characters in Animal Farm and key figures of the Russian Revolution and Stalinist Russia. Napoleon, the leader of the animals, is Joseph Stalin; Old Major , whose speech rouses the animals to revolution, partly represents Vladimir Lenin, who spearheaded the Russian Revolution of 1917 (although he is also a representative of Karl Marx , whose ideas inspired the Revolution); Snowball, who falls out with Napoleon and is banished from the farm, represents Leon Trotsky, who was involved in the Revolution but later went to live in exile in Mexico.

Squealer, meanwhile, is based on Molotov (after whom the Molotov cocktail was named); Molotov was Stalin’s protégé, much as Squealer is encouraged by Napoleon to serve as Napoleon’s right-hand (or right-hoof?) man (pig).

Publication

Animal Farm very nearly didn’t make it into print at all. First, not long after Orwell completed the first draft in February 1944, his flat on Mortimer Crescent in London was bombed in June, and he feared the typescript had been destroyed. Orwell later found it in the rubble.

Then, Orwell had difficulty finding a publisher. T. S. Eliot, at Faber and Faber, rejected it because he feared that it was the wrong sort of political message for the time.

The novella was eventually published the following year, in 1945, and its relevance – as political satire, as animal fable, and as one of Orwell’s two great works of fiction – shows no signs of abating.

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Planning and writing an 'Animal Farm' essay

I can plan and write an extended and developed response to 'Animal Farm'.

Lesson details

Key learning points.

• Reading the question and picking out key words is useful in order to understand its expectations.
• Planning key points helps to create an overarching argument.
• Single paragraph outlines are useful in creating a detailed plan for the main body of an essay.
• Using success criteria is an effective way to help write an essay.

Common misconception

That quotes in essays need to be long and are difficult to remember.

Can you remember anything Boxer says? How about words used to describe characters? Any of the commandments? These are all key quotes.

Hypocritical - To behave in a way that contradicts supposed beliefs or feelings.

Manipulative - To use controlling behaviours to gain power over another or get them to behave in a certain way.

Hierarchy - A system which positions people in relation to status or power.

Dependent - To need the support of someone or something in order to exist.

You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

Content guidance

• Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited ( 2024 ), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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70 Animal Farm Essay Topics & Examples

🔎 unique animal farm essay questions, 🏆 best animal farm essay topics & examples, 👍 simple & easy animal farm essay titles, 🎓 most interesting animal farm essay topics.

• Who Had the Absolute Power by the End of “Animal Farm”?
• What Was the Main Symbol of “Animal Farm”?
• Does the Story Condone Capitalism?
• Who Is the Protagonist of “Animal Farm”?
• What Are the Historical References in the Story?
• Who Can You Compare Napoleon to?
• Does “Animal Farm” Reflect the Russian Revolution?
• How Do You Define Socialist Ideas of “Animal Farm”?
• What Is the Snowball’s Role in the Story?
• Were There Innocent Characters in “Animal Farm”?
• Animal Farm by George Orwell: Literary Analysis Providing the title for the work, Orwell seems to ask the questions about the differences in the regime of the Soviet Union and irrational rule of animals at the farm.
• George Orwell and Animal Farm: A Critical Analysis Other farm owners try to attack the Animal Farm but Snowball lead a successful defense in the battle of the Cowshed and gains much worship amongst the animals.
• Propaganda in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell His greatest objective is to carry out the spreading of the revolution and to bring in the improvement of the general welfare of all the animals on the farm.
• George Orwell and Two of His Works “1984” and “Animal Farm” Orwell draws on his own personal experiences in the context of political terrorism to describe a life, lived in fear and guilt.
• “Animal Farm” by George Orwell After the revolution in the Animal Farm, the animals establish the philosophy of Animalism in order to be different from human beings.
• Social Conflicts in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell This is the only way for the animals to establish equality and create a flourishing, happy and wealthy society.”Animal Farm” by Orwell is a description of the metamorphoses that happen within a freedom movement turning […]
• “I Have a Dream” and “Animal Farm” The Old Major’s speech as portrayed in the narrative Animal Farm has myriad of similarities and differences to the speech given by Martin Luther King Jr.in his attempt to liberate the black race from discrimination.
• Dystopias in “Animal Farm” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” In this regard, the aim of literary dystopias is to caution and warn society against the blind following of ideologies that lead to the breakdown of social order.
• “Animal Farm” by George Orwell One of the most obvious elements that the author of the Animal Farm uses in order to highlight the satire is irony.
• Russian Revolution in Orwell’s “Animal Farm” Both the long-term and the short-term causes of the revolution contributed to the public outrage and diminished the people’s belief in the monarchy.
• Domination in the Book “Animal Farm” The animals believed in the concept of equality and democracy. This discussion highlights some of the factors that influenced the social life of the animals within the farm.
• The Animal Farm by George Orwell There are animals which represent the poor people while the pigs and dogs represent the administrators of the leader. The pigs and dogs are given power to rule the animals by Jones who is the […]
• The Comparison of Snowball to Napoleon in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• The Inability of the Animals to Read and Its Effect on Their Lives in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• The Use of Distortion as a Literary Device in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• The Importance of Freedom in Society as Portrayed in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• The Distortion of Socialism in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• The Political Message Against Totalitarianism in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• Use of Humor to Describe Historical Events Illustrated in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• A Look at the Political Events That Led to the Writing of “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely: An Analysis of Power and Strength in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
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• An Analysis of the Destructionof the Truth in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• The Effects of Power and Control in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• A Comparison of Stalin and Napoleon and the Development of Allegory in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• The Depiction of the Many Twists and Turns of Today’s Society in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• The Mocking of Communism in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• The Attributes of Boxer’s Entrepreneurship as Described in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• An Analysis of Leader and Follower in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• A Look at Social Justice Issues Brought Out in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• An Analysis of the Conflict Between the Strong and the Weak in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• A Depiction of Communism Through a Fictional World of Animals in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• The Transformation of an Individual Caused by the Misuse of Power in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
• “Animal Farm” in the Context of What Makes Human Beings Human
• Old Major’s Speech to the Animals in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• A Comparative Analysis of Social Commentary in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell and “Animals” by Pink Floyd
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• Analysis of Symbolism in “The Sound of a Voice” by David Henry Hwang and “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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• Comparison of “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift and “Animal Farm” by George Orwell
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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — Animal Farm

Essays on Animal Farm

What makes a good animal farm essay topic.

When it comes to writing an essay on Animal Farm, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good essay topic should be thought-provoking, engaging, and offer ample opportunities for analysis and interpretation. It should allow you to explore the various themes, characters, and literary devices employed by George Orwell in his iconic novel. Here are some recommendations to help you brainstorm and choose the perfect essay topic.

When brainstorming essay topics for Animal Farm, it's important to consider the themes and underlying messages of the novel. Think about the parallels between the events in the book and real-life historical or political events. Consider the characters and their motivations, as well as the use of allegory and symbolism throughout the story. A good essay topic should also be specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis, but broad enough to offer multiple avenues of exploration.

A good Animal Farm essay topic should be relevant, thought-provoking, and open to interpretation. It should encourage critical thinking and analysis, and allow you to delve into the complexities of the novel. Your topic should also be unique and original, offering a fresh perspective on the text. With these considerations in mind, you can choose a topic that will make for a compelling and insightful essay.

Best Animal Farm Essay Topics

• The use of propaganda in Animal Farm
• The role of the pigs in the novel
• The allegorical representation of the Russian Revolution
• The theme of corruption and power in Animal Farm
• The significance of the windmill in the story
• The role of the working class animals in the rebellion
• The character of Napoleon and his leadership style
• The theme of loyalty and betrayal in the novel
• The significance of the Seven Commandments
• The role of fear and intimidation in maintaining control
• The impact of language and rhetoric in the novel
• The symbolism of the various animals on the farm
• The theme of social class and inequality in Animal Farm
• The role of violence and coercion in the story
• The significance of the final scene in the novel
• The theme of utopia and dystopia in Animal Farm
• The portrayal of human nature in the book
• The impact of ignorance and apathy on the farm
• The role of education and knowledge in the novel
• The significance of the ending of Animal Farm

Animal Farm essay topics Prompts

• Imagine if the animals on the farm had been successful in creating a utopian society. How would the story have unfolded differently?
• Explore the parallels between the events in Animal Farm and real-life historical revolutions. How does the novel reflect the complexities of political change?
• Consider the role of fear and intimidation in maintaining power on the farm. How does this theme resonate with contemporary society?
• Analyze the character of Boxer and his unwavering loyalty to the cause. What does his story reveal about the nature of power and manipulation?
• Imagine if George Orwell had written Animal Farm from the perspective of the humans on the neighboring farms. How would this change the reader's understanding of the story?

Choosing the right essay topic for Animal Farm is essential to crafting a compelling and insightful piece of writing. By considering the themes, characters, and literary devices of the novel, you can brainstorm unique and thought-provoking topics that will allow for in-depth analysis and interpretation. Whether you choose to explore the use of propaganda, the role of the pigs, or the allegorical representation of the Russian Revolution, a good essay topic will offer ample opportunities for critical thinking and engagement with the text. With the right topic in hand, you can delve into the complexities of Animal Farm and offer a fresh perspective on this timeless classic.

The Use of Power and Propaganda in Animal Farm

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The Revolution in Animal Farm

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17 August 1945

George Orwell

Allegorical Novella

Political Satire

Napoleon, Old Major, Snowball, Squealer, Boxer, Mr. Jones, Clover, Pilkington, Mr. Frederick, Mr. Whymper, Benjamin

The book has been influenced during Orwell's Spanish Civil war experiences and author's opinion regarding Stalinist corruption of the original socialist ideals.

It symbolizes Russia and the Soviet Union under Communist Party rule. The symbols include capitalism, socialism, fascism, and communism. The rule of power, corruption.

The Animal Farm teaches us an important lesson that it is not possible to create a utopian society since every leader will sooner or later become corrupt. Another important aspect is the gain of power and temptation of a luxurious life that is always based on personal gain. It is a reason why it becomes an important book that tells about the potential of good intentions. While it does portray the authoritarian example of the USSR, it also explores the ways of people that still serve others with good intentions.

The book tells a story about farm animals who rebel against their human farmer. As simple as that, they hope to create a different society where every animal can live an equal life, remain free, and feel happy. It is a complex allegory that tries to reflect a revolution. Still, this animal rebellion is betrayed with the farm ending up in a poor state. The reason for this failure, according to Orwell, is the dictatorship's rule of a pig named Napoleon.

• The Animal Farm has been rejected more than most books in the history of publishing by the big names until Secker & Warburg decided to publish it.
• The book became influential for C.S. Lewis who believed that the book is about equality where every animal is equal, yet some are more equal than others.
• The book has been based on real-life village of Wallington, which is where Orwell has lived during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
• The Animal Farm became a propagandistic tool of the CIA to bring anti-communist views across the world.
• Speaking of the Soviet Union, the novel has been banned until about 1988 when "Glasnost" views have made it possible for the Latvian magazine to publish it in four parts.
• The book has also been banned in Cuba, North Korea, Kenya, and even the United Arab Emirates.
• The book has inspired numerous world-famous musicians like The Beatles and Pink Floyd.
• Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame was the one who voiced the main character "Napoleon".
• "Remember, comrades, your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. And among us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle. All men are enemies. All animals are comrades."
• "All the habits of Man are evil. And, above all, no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind. Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other animal. All animals are equal."
• "The animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
• "Animal Farm, Animal Farm, Never through me shalt thou come to harm!"
• "Ah, that is different!" said Boxer. "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right."

The purpose of the book is to explain how existing potential often leads to dangers of good intentions. As the political satire of the USSR's ruling style, it aims to show that revolution and striving for change comes from good intentions, yet misleads people into something else. Using dystopian fiction, Orwell remains precise in his opinion regarding tyranny and origins that it has. It also deals with ignorance and an intentional failure to notice things.

This topic is important for essays because it deals with corrupting influence of power, totalitarian regime, sincerity, propaganda, and the good intentions that we all have. It is also a good topic to tell about leadership and betrayal. Since this book deals with an allegory, it must be taken as an example of our modern life.

The Old Major's speech represents a significant element for this novel because it speaks of the very idea of rebellion that is brought to the minds of the animals. It is the first time when they start approaching human beings as their enemies and see themselves as the victims of animalism or farm oppression. The major speaks about hardships and bad lives and claims that it is Farmer Jones that is to blame. It can be approached as the turning point of the novel.

Relevant topics

• A Modest Proposal
• Things Fall Apart
• Between The World and Me
• The Tell Tale Heart
• Never Let Me Go
• A Farewell to Arms
• Call of The Wild
• The Handmaid's Tale

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15 RELEVANT ANIMAL FARM ESSAY IDEAS

Reading for pleasure allows enjoying the process instead of forcing yourself to make it through. Most of the people who start reading George Orwell's "Animal Farm" share that they are immersed in the novel completely. Even those who tell that books aren't their cup of tea agree that this story is a masterpiece.

Still, choosing the proper "Animal Farm" essay ideas to discuss in an academic paper isn't an easy task. Writing a good essay on this topic can be a challenge. That's because the book itself is rather philosophical - there's a lot of issues to analyze. The narrator covers many aspects related to politics, history, sociology, and psychology, and any area will be a relevant ground for your writing. You may ask how it is possible to highlight those issues if the book is about animals. But, while working on your homework assignment on "Animal Farm," you will discover the meaning of different techniques author uses to deliver his ideas.

As in the case with many other writings, an essay on Orwell's novel aims to make a student analyze the concepts, images, and messages covered in the book. And, if you are going to write a good essay, the first and major step remains the same - you have to choose and formulate a relevant topic. But how to find a perfect one? In this article, we will go through some issues that may be used by students of Literature specialties. We hope that our ideas will inspire you and help to come up with a judgment of a topic you need.

Recall the Background

First, let us recall the basics of the book's plot so that everyone will get the point without reading the entire piece.

It all starts when an aged boar who represents the farm's major calls a meeting. It suggests that the pets are nothing but garner Jones's slaves that have no rights of freedom, and the man gains the advantage of using them for his own purposes. The boar calls for a revolution to fight for rights, and in three days, it kicks the bucket. The pets get rid of Jones's easily and occupy his lands - the Animal Farm is founded.

There is another character, a pig named Snowball, which is presented in a book as an idealist. For it, being free means being polite and educated. That is why Snowball tries to teach the animals things that people can do - reading and thinking logically. Snowball believes that everyone should respect each other and be equal.

And, Boxer - a horse that is the strongest animal on the farm. With Snowball, these two get along well at first. But that's until the smart Snowball offers to build a windmill and provide all animals with electricity. The opposition traits it as an endeavor and scare off Snowball by bringing out the dogs. Napoleon, who is in the head of the farm, decides that now, only pigs have a right to make decisions and implement laws. And that is when it's getting worse. During an attempt to build the windmill using Boxer and other animals as slaves or free labor, Napoleon crashes down. As the windmill falls over, he blames Snowball for everything taking place.

So, how does the plot remind you of a real-life situation? What social issues do you think are hidden in the book "Animal Farm" and how can you use them for a good essay? Take your time - we have prepared an insightful guide on how to implement those ideas from the novel in your writing.

15 Best "Animal Farm" Paper Topics

To begin with, collect the necessary information from the external sources and the book itself, and develop an outline. The best reference is the original Orwell's story, for sure. Have the book right beside you to consult it, if needed. While reading, make notes to pick the best quotes, and support your statements well.

The next stage is to make an outline - it will help you to move on while writing a paper. Depending on the theme you choose, your points will be named differently, but the overall image of your outline can be the following:

• A quote from the story
• The significance of the selected question
• Background information
• Thesis statement
• Claim 1 (A farm represents the country)
• Claim 2 (Animals underestimate the role of farm in their lives)
• Claim 3 (A farm as a real-life image from your experience)
• Paraphrased thesis statement
• Summary of the main points (claims)
• A rhetorical question (how far it could go if...)

At this stage, make sure that your paragraphs are organized logically, and the essay content will be coherent for the audience. The theme you select has a great impact on how your overall structure will look. And now, it is time to list the possible topics to write on.

The story is full of extraordinary characters that you can discuss. Pick and analyze one of them and try not to retell the plot.

• Snowball: A Vivacious Pig
• Squealer as an Example of a Brilliant Talker
• Boxer: An Enormous Beast
• The brutality of the nine dogs
• Benjamin and the stereotypes about the older generation

Those can be a good ground for a character analysis essay as well.

"Animal Farm" covers various social and political issues, so you have plenty of ideas to choose from.

• Leadership & corruption
• Total control of the labor class
• Lies and deception
• American Dream
• Social injustice

These are the central themes covered by George Orwell, and investigating one of them through the novel's plot will be a relevant choice.

There are many hidden messages in the story written by Orwell. If you can see those references, you understand what historical events are described in the book, and if you're not a fan of symbols - here are some topics for you:

• Character symbols: what do Old Major and Snowball symbolize?
• Image of the Soviet Union in The Animal Farm
• Parallels of historical and political events with the book plot
• The Battle of the Cowshed
• Post-communistic spirit and the role of the windmill

Those were some relevant essay topics for your Animal Farm assignment. Feel free to use them and express your ideas on the book in the best manner.

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Animal Farm

By george orwell, animal farm essay questions.

How is Animal Farm a satire of Stalinism or generally of totalitarianism?

Answer: A good way to answer this question is to pick a specific example of totalitarianism in any country, historical or current, and explain how the ideas Orwell puts forth in Animal Farm apply to it. Go back and forth between the historical facts and the events of the novel. Note the actions of the leaders, the mechanisms of fear and power, and the reactions of the people over time.

Elucidate the symbolism inherent in the characters' names.

Answer: The symbolism ranges from the obvious to the more cryptic. Compare Napoleon with the historical Frenchman and Moses with the figure from the Bible. Take Snowball as representative of something that grows larger and more forceful. Squealer has something to do with the spoken word. Boxer suggests strength. Make sure to consider each character at various stages of the story and to use specific examples from the text.

What does the narrator do, or fail to do, that makes the story's message possible?

Answer: The narrator lets the story tell itself to a large degree by relating what is said and done without moralization and reflection. The narrator speaks from the perspective of the animals other than the pigs, a kind of observer who can point out the significant details without interfering. The reader then can draw his own conclusions about the symbolism, concordance with historical events, and the awfulness of the events themselves.

What does the windmill represent?

Answer: The windmill's symbolic meaning changes during the course of the novel and means different things to different characters. It is to be for electricity but ends up being for economic production. As it is built, it is a locus of work without benefit and a medium of the pigs' power. For the humans, it is a dangerous symbol of the growing power of the farm. Consider also the relationship between the windmill and the biblical Tower of Babel.

What role does the written word play in Animal Farm ?

Answer: Literacy is a source of power and a vehicle for propaganda. Some examples to consider are the Seven Commandments, "Beasts of England," the child's book, the manuals, the magazines, and the horse-slaughterer's van.

Examine the Seven Commandments and the way they change during the course of the novel from Old Major's death to the banquet Napoleon holds with the farmers.

Answer: The commandments begin as democratic ideals of equality and fraternity in a common animal identity, but they end in inequality when some animals are "more equal" than others. As the pigs take more control and assume their own liberties, they unilaterally change the commandments to fit their own desires. Consider especially the interactions between Clover, Muriel, and Squealer surrounding the Seven Commandments, determining how easy it is to change the fundamental rules of society on the farm, where most of the animals can do no better than to remember that four legs are good and two legs are bad.

Would Animal Farm be more effective as a nonfiction political treatise about the same subject?

Answer: Given the success of the novel, it is hard to see why Orwell might have chosen a different genre for his message. A nonfiction account would have had to work more accurately with the history, while Orwell's fiction has the benefit of ordering and shaping events in order to make the points as clear as possible from a theoretical and symbolic point of view. A political treatise could be more effective in treating the details and theoretical understandings at greater length and with more nuances, but the readership and audience for such a work would therefore become quite different as well, so the general population would be less likely to hear Orwell's warnings.

Can we perceive much of Orwell himself in the novel?

Answer: Orwell seems to be most like the narrator, who tells the story from the perspective of experience with the events related. We know from Orwell's history that he was a champion of the working class and did not much like the idea of being in a role where he had to exercise power to control people under him. Orwell seems to be a realist about the prospects for the socialist ideals he otherwise would promote.

Compare Animal Farm with Orwell's other famous novel, 1984 .

Answer: Consider the ways in which both novels are allegories with a political message against the evils of state control and totalitarianism. How does totalitarian control affect the illiterate versus those who are educated and wish to exercise their human rights? Compare the political regimes in the two novels. Does the relative anonymity of the leaders affect the reactions of the people?

Pick a classic fairy tale or fable and examine it in comparison with Animal Farm .

Answer: A good way to answer such a question is to consider the function of animals as characters. For instance, each of the Three Little Pigs expresses a different approach to planning for the future and managing risk, which can lead to an analysis of how each character represents a moral or physical quality. In terms of narration, note the degree to which the narrator lets the characters speak in their own voices and lets the plot play out without editorializing. In terms of structure, consider how critical events shatter the calm (such as getting lost in the woods or encountering an enemy) and lead to a moral once some kind of order (for better or for worse) is restored.

Animal Farm Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Animal Farm is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The skin I’m in

Maleeka is teased because her skin is too dark. Miss Saunder's gets made fun of because she has a rare skin disease. Maleeka is ashamed of her skin, and Miss Saunders is proud of her own.

Animal Farm contains mainly extremely effective scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others bitterly ironic or pessimistic . Which scene did you find most effective and memorable? why?

A seen that sticks with me is a terrifying one: I suppose that is why it has stayed with me for so long. The scene is when Boxer the horse. One afternoon, a van comes to take Boxer away. It has “lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in...

What is the relationship between Snowball and Napoleon?

Both Snowball and Napoleon are leaders. They see leadership in each other. Napoleon sees Snowball's loyalty to the animals as a threat to his dictatorship. While Snowball works for the good of the farm, Napoleon works only for his own interests.

Study Guide for Animal Farm

Animal Farm study guide contains a biography of George Orwell, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Animal Farm
• Animal Farm Summary
• Animal Farm Video
• Character List

Essays for Animal Farm

Animal Farm essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Animal Farm by George Orwell.

• Bit and Spur Shall Rust Forever: Hollow Symbols in George Orwell's Animal Farm
• Consent to Destruction: the Phases of Fraternity and Separation in Animal Farm
• Character Textual Response - Benjamin
• Non vi, sed verbo (Not by force, but by the word)
• Comparison of Values: Animal Farm and V for Vendetta

Lesson Plan for Animal Farm

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Animal Farm
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Animal Farm Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Animal Farm

• Introduction

• Science & Math
• Sociology & Philosophy
• Law & Politics
• Animal Farm Essay

Throughout George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm , the accumulation of power results from language and the use of rhetoric. Through language and the authority of words , the expulsion of Mr. Jones transpires and the undemocratic ascension of Napoleon’s dictatorship is made possible. The remarkable rhetorical and articulation ability of the pigs and their skillful manipulation of language for any situation that questioned their integrity dictated the fate of the farm.

The novel demonstrates, through the animals on the farm, humans’ susceptibility to the manipulation of language, the illusion of integrity created by powerful words, and the influence of persuasive oratory without fully comprehending its meaning.

After the rebellion on Manor Farm and the banishment of Mr.Jones the animals set up seven guidelines in which to govern themselves by, known as the “Commandments”. All the animals on the farm help devise and inscribe them on the side of the barn to ensure their visibility to all. The pigs manipulation of these commandments to gain control over the other animals is an evidence of the power of language manipulation demonstrated in the novel.

To begin, the pigs broke the commandment “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy” and through the use of powerful speech justify their actions to the other animals. “Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with neighboring farms: not of course, for any commercial purpose but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary.” (Orwell  42).

The animals were in agreement that from the expulsion of Mr. Jones that Animal Farm would never communicate with anything that had two legs, primarily human beings. In order to gain more materials for building the windmill and financial revenue for themselves, the pigs made the decision to start selling eggs to a market in Willingdon.

Though this is contradictory to what the animals originally put forth in the commandments the pigs persuade them that it was essential to their very existence to make some form of communication with the world around them. The other animals were quite skeptical of this proposal but the convincing mannerism in which the pigs argue their survival based on trade with humans brought the unchallenged acceptance of their decision.

Second, the pigs also alter the fourth commandment “No animals shall sleep in a bed” so they could live inside of Mr. Jones’ old house and when questioned by the other animals; the pigs re-interpret the commandment’s actual meaning. “You have heard, then comrades,’ he said, ‘that we pigs now sleep in the bed of the farmhouse? And why not? You did not suppose, surely, that there was ever a ruling against beds? A bed merely means a place to sleep in. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed, properly regarded.

The rule was against sheets, which are a human invention.” (45- 46). Through the manipulation of language Squealer cleverly convinces the animals that a human bed is no different than that of an animal bed. He goes to justify his action by stating they sleep without sheets and therefore compile with the fourth commandment. Once again the animals are permissive to this because of the pigs’ careful use of words and ability to manipulate the meaning of the commandments in their favor.

Finally, the power of language exploitation is demonstrated through the pigs disobeying and rewriting the sixth commandment, “No animal shall kill any other animal”. “Squealer read the commandment to the animals. It ran: “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause .’ Somehow or other the last two words had slipped out of the animals’ memory, argued Squealer “The commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was a good reason for killing the traitors who have leagued themselves with Snowball” (61).

Once again the pigs have abhorred the rules and then found means to justify their action through words. Carefully “stringing a web of lies” with their words, the pigs trick the other animals into believing that “without cause” had always been a part of the sixth commandment and the animals were foolish to ever question the intelligence of a pig.

Elise Durham, the book critic, supports this perspective by asserting, “The horrific execution that follows is in direct contradiction of the original sixth commandment, but due to the pigs’ cunning linguistic skills the killing of other animals by pigs went unpunished.” [1] However not only are the pigs’ ability to manipulate the often vague meanings of each commandment attributed to their power of language, but also their ability to convince the other animals of the presence of an evil force responsible for all the problems on the farm.

After the revolt on the farm, all major decision-making was turned over to the most intelligent animals on the farm, the pigs and their leaders, Napoleon and Snowball. They often disagreed on many issues concerning the farm until Napoleon expelled Snowball from the farm via guard dogs and took control of the farm and its inhabitants. However even after the disappearance of Snowball, through the use of persuasive language, the pigs still find a way to blame him for any misfortune the farm may encounter. 

To begin, the pigs blame Snowball for destroying the windmill in which the animals labored so long to build. “Comrades,” he said quietly, ‘do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL! He suddenly roared in a voice of thunder” (47). It was clear that the terrible storm the night before could be attributed to the windmill being destroyed; however the pigs were able to persuade the animals, even in his absence that Snowball was responsible for its destruction.

Christian Ballesteros, the literary analyst, agrees with this agreement by stating, “A natural mishap would have been portrayed as an omen over their farm and ideology; however the idea of an evil presence working against the farm would only make the animals work more diligently and look for guidance from their all-knowing leaders, the pigs.” [2] Next, the pigs convince the animals that their terrible crop season is because of Snowball. “The wheat crop was full of weeds, and Squealer had somehow discovered that on one of his nocturnal visits Snowball has mixed weed seeds with the seed corn.” (65).

In reality, the farm is suffering from disorganization and the corruption of the pigs hoarding profits for alcohol, which resulted in no wheat seeds being bought. Instead of explaining this otherwise selfish behavior to the other animals, the pigs convince them that their “perfect” harvest was being deliberately afflicted by Snowball. To protect their own interests in money and power, the pigs misinform the other animals with persuasive speeches to prevent them from revolting against their control and creating the illusion that the farm is still successful.

Finally, after the Battle of the Cowshed, the pigs discredit Snowball of his medal, Animal Hero, First Class, for fighting bravely during the battle. “The animals now also learned that Snowball has never- as many of them believed hitherto- received the order of ‘Animal Hero, First Class’ (65). Before his expulsion, the animals regarded Snowball as both a scholar and a gentleman and had grown skeptical about many terrible accusations which were insinuated him.

Through the propaganda ability of Squealer and the other pigs, they were able to persuade the animals that Snowball had never received “Animal Hero, First Class” which had made him famous and admired by all. Through discrediting this award from Snowball the pigs successfully removed any association of Snowball with a hero and could therefore use him a “scape goat” for any problems without questioning from the other animals. Though the pigs’ blatant abuse on the behalf of Snowball’s name went unnoticed, an even greater manipulation of other situations by the pigs proved to only be possible due to their wit and verbal communication to create the illusion of their integrity and selflessness.

Throughout the novel, the animals are plagued with numerous problems when attempting to run their own ostracized farm. The pigs, however, often find ways for themselves to benefit from the peril of the other animals but through the command of language create the illusion of altruistic and virtuous behavior on their behalf. First, the pigs convince the animals that Napoleon’s new dictatorship was not something Napoleon wanted but was essential for the survival of the farm. “Comrades,” he said, “I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labor upon himself.

Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility” (37). Though Napoleon’s new position has given him all the wealth and control of the farm the pigs have disguised this with arguments of works and pressure which Napoleon must endure. Angelo Christonea, a college English professor, supports this view by convincingly arguing, “Napoleon’s ascension as a dictator is clearly a selfish move to elevate the pigs’ standard of living on the farm but through the use of rhetoric made to appear as a noble act.” [3] Second, the pigs deceived the animals about their contributions toward Boxer’s murder to appear innocent and benevolent.

“It had come to his knowledge, he said, that a foolish and wicked rumor had been circulated at the time of Boxer’s removal. Some of the animals had noticed that the van which took Boxer away was marked ‘Horse Slaughterer,…….It was almost unbelievable, said Squealers, that any animal could be so stupid. Surely, he cried indignantly, whisking his tail and skipping from side to side, surely they knew their beloved Leader, Comrade Napoleon, better than that! Squealer went on to give further graphic details of Boxer’s death- bed, the admirable care he had received, and the expensive medicines for which Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost…..” (84).

The pigs’ indecent regard for their fallen comrade and shameful disposal of him would have appalled the other animals. However, Squealer’s clever speech and storytelling left the animals astonished by Napoleon’s apparent heroic actions. Finally, the pigs assert their selfish hoarding of the extra apple and milk ratios are essential to the farm’s prosperity.

“Comrades!” he cried “You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brain workers . The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. (. 23).

The withholding of these extra ratios is a perfect example of the pigs’ selfish intentions and corruption from the very beginning. Their manipulation of language creates the appearance that the pigs only require the extra ratios to make the farm a better place for all; however, this is far from the truth.  They have through words convinced the other animals of their need for the apples and milk due to their “excess intelligence” as to not comprise their appearance of innocent and altruism.

In conclusion, Animal Farm provides a very important lesson for all who read it. It shows that the true intent of some can often be shrouded with clever rhetoric and captivating speech, often leading the masses into confusion and vulnerability. Although the characters in the novel were animals and could be considered unintelligent, the novel conveys that we humans are no better when it comes to exploiting one another with the power of words, “As we starred through the window it was no question now.

The animals outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which” (95).

[1] Durham, Elise. “The Seven Commandments of Animal Farm.” 123HelpMe . 2000. 17 Dec 2008 <http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=15455>.

[2] Ballesteros, Christian. “Animal Farm Essay.” Literature Network Forums . 2005. 17 Dec 2008 <http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9049>.

[3] Christonea, Angelo . “Absolute Power in “Animal Farm”.” Book Rags . 12 09 2005. 16 Dec 2008 <http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/8/1/225342/5601>.

Related Posts

• Animal Farm: Allegory of Stalinism
• Animal Farm: Character Analysis of Napoleon
• Animal Farm Monologue: Squealer
• Animal Farm Critical Passage
• Essay: How the Pigs Took Over the Farm in George Orwell’s Animal Farm

After Mr. Jones is exiled from the farm, all decision making is turned over to the pigs. They create commandments in which all the animals have adhere to; then through the use of lies and manipulation create exceptions for themselves to the rules (i.e sleeping in the bed, lying about killing the horse, drinking alcohol) They continue to lie about events such as the misfortune of the windmill, attributing its destruction to Snowball rather than accepting the bad luck and appearing “weak” in front of the other animals. Furthermore they lie about the downfall of the crop by insinuating that snowball mixed ragweed seeds in with the corn crop and that they needed the apples to achieve “higher thinking”. Essentially from the beginning of the animal’s control of the farm, the pigs have been creating a “web of lies” to control and manipulate the other animals into doing what they want (aka protecting their own interests; controlling the farm and living comfortable lives. I hope this helps!

i dont understand how the pigs lie to protect their own intrests :/ please helpppp

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Animal Farm Essay | Essay on Animal Farm for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Animal Farm Essay:  George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” published in 1945 brought him worldwide fame as a writer of political allegory. Through the novel, George Orwell tells us about the problems of the Russian revolution (1917) and the rise to power of Joseph Stalin and its oppressive communist state.

One of the main ideas of the novel is about the abuse of power. The phrase ‘power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power often leads to corruption. There cannot be equality under totalitarian rule.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Animal Farm for Students and Kids in English

We provide the students with essay samples on animal farm essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the same reference.

Long Essay on Animal Farm 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Animal Farm is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The novel starts by introducing us to a setting where one night all the animals at Mr Jones Manor Farm gather together to hear old Major an old – well-respected boar pig’s dream.

He described that all animals should be free from the tyranny of their human masters. They should all start an uprising against Mr Jones and other human beings. After that meeting, old Major died.

The philosophy of animalism inspired all the animals of the farm: the plot starts with the main two characters of the novel two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball are successful in doing so, and a revolution occurs, and Mr Jones and his men from the farm. Initially, the rebellion is a huge success, and the animal farm prospers.

Pigs, because of their intelligence, became the supervisors of the farm. Napoleon emerges as a greedy, selfish influential leader. Napoleon would steal the cow’s milk and apples to feed himself and other pigs, and he had even entrusted Squealer, a pig with the ability to pursue other animals that pigs are always morally correct. They had to justify the action and decision of Napoleon. There was a fight between Napoleon and Snowball fought to gain power and influence over the farm. Napoleon then emerges as the leader of the farm, and his lust for power increases to a point where he became a dictator.

Napoleon himself led a luxurious life in Mr Jone’s house, and the other animals of the farm led a harsh life, and they received less and less food, while the pigs grew fatter. Years passed, and the animal farm expanded its boundaries more and more after Napoleon purchased fields from neighbouring farm.

Napoleon and the pigs rewrite the written and oral histories of the farm in addition to the slogans, songs, commandments and poems to serve their needs and maintain their authority. The pigs’ catchphrases brainwashed the other animals to such an extent that even if the dogs kill dozens of animals to supposedly having conspired with Snowball, no one questions Napoleon’s leadership.

Many readers believe that Orwell tried to show Animal Farm as an influence of the Russian revolution due to the naming of the pigs, the story’s plot and the condition of the farm. The pig experiences different types of struggles in the story. One of the conflicts is separating the pigs from the rest of the animals, which represents a large-scale man vs culture conflict on the farm, and these explain how oppression arises from manipulation. The conflicts are solved by Napoleon’s deception, cruelty and deviousness.

Short Essay on Animal Farm 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Animal Farm is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Through the novel, the writer George Orwell conveys the message of how selfish, political leaders work only for their vested interests and consolidate power, and take away the civil and political rights of the people.

Ignorance and uneducated masses can be easily manipulated, oppressed and controlled under an authoritarian rule. The characters of the novel reflect the political figure of the time and the unjust and oppressive regime of Stalin.

Most of the events in the story have some significance with the Russian revolution (1917). Through ‘Animal Farm’ George Orwell tells us that in communism, most of the political leader misused their excessive power and that corruption may turn into violence as it was in the animal farm.

In the same way in the novel, Napoleon misused his power, cheated the animals and deprived them of their freedom and welfare and invaded the laws just as it happened in the then Soviet Union under the leadership of Stalin.

10 Lines on Animal Farm in English

• The novel tells about the dangers of totalitarian rule.
• He argues that after a revolution should power should not be concentrated in the hands of a single individual.
• Absolute power will corrupt the leaders and turn them dictatorial and self-interested tyrants.
• George Orwell supports this idea through the character Napoleon who become very greedy and self-centred and turned into a dictator.
• Moreover, they corrupted the ideas of animalism.
• When the other members of the farm realised this, it became too late, and they were
• The novel reflects the idea of abuse of power.
• George Orwell uses animal characters to demonstrate humans and their abuse of power.
• George Orwell, in the novel, highlights the importance of education.
• The writer feels that education is the right mean to fights against injustice and abuse of power to live in a healthy society.

FAQ’s on Animal Farm Essay

Question 1. What is the moral lesson of the Animal Farm Essay?

Answer: The main moral lesson of animal farm is that “Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely”. Throughout the novel, we see how Napolean gradually became all power and ultimately misused power.

Question 2. What was the purpose of the novel Animal Farm written by George Orwell?

Answer:  The purpose of the novel ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell was to satirise the then communist government of Joseph Stalin.

Question 3. Why is Animal Farm important?

Answer:  The novel ‘Animal Farm’ is important because it throws lights on the potential dangers of totalitarian rule.

Question 4. Why is Animal Farm a fable?

Answer: The novel ‘Animal Farm’ is a fable because, in, the novel, the writer uses animal characters to reflect the political realities of his time.

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FPJ2103 – Thompson, D (2024), Going for gold: revisiting John Ralph Essays a decade on

Home » Shop » Journal Articles » FPJ2103 – Thompson, D (2024), Going for gold: revisiting John Ralph Essays a decade on

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This essay revisits two ideas that were submitted as part of the annual John Ralph Essay competition held by the Australian Farm Institute, first in 2014 and then in 2022. Both were chosen as winning entries in the Scholarly/Open category that asks for academic rigour and analysis on a topic relevant to agricultural industry interests and concerns. Although they represent different themes over a separation of eight years, the ideas remain current and valid in today’s agriculture sector especially with the agreed strategy of attaining an industry value of $100 million by the year 2030. In 2014 it was recommended to extend a brand campaign by the Australian tourism industry and leverage it into a similar brand for Australian agriculture. The conclusion was that trying to link the tourism campaign with a new agricultural brand campaign was no longer valid. In 2022 it was evaluated whether value-adding agriculture remained a worthwhile pursuit and concluded that value-adding remain worthwhile if the industry understood the need for autonomy in deciding when and how to capitalise on value-adding opportunities. This research brings the two ideas together and looks towards feasible options for extending current resources and themes towards a collaborative approach for Australian agriculture that creates enduring value and a brand idea that complements broader Australian values.

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