How Would You Classify
George Orwell’s Animal
Farm?
By: Celyra Workman
As a Children’s Story. . .
• A children’s story, as defined by Wikipedia,
is a story Children's literature is for
readers and listeners up to about age
twelve and is often illustrated. The term is
used in senses which sometimes exclude
young-adult fiction, comic books, or other
genres. Animal Farm does not fit this
description in my opinion because the
subject matter, language, theme and
context of the novel are too complex for
children to comprehend. The novel was
originally intended for adults/young adults
who were familiar with the Russian
Revolution and Totalitarianism.
As a Fairytale. . .
• As defined by Merriam- Webster, a fairy tale is a
story (as for children) involving fantastic forces
and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins), a
story in which improbable events lead to a
happy ending, or a made-up story usually
designed to mislead. Animal Farm is not a fairy
tale because it does not involve fantastic beings
or forces, does not lead to a happy ending, and,
although it was made up, was not inteneded to
mislead.
As an Allegory. . .

As defined by Merriam Webster, an allegory is
the expression by means of symbolic fictional
figures and actions of truths or generalizations
about human existence or a symbolic
representation. Animal Farm is absolutely an
allegory, as it’s characters, plot and events
mirror the events and figures of the Russian
Revolution. It also makes the generalization that
totalitarianism does not work, people will
tolerate a tyrannical leader when faced with
adversity, and that the uneducated are easily
manipulated.
As a Satire. . .
• As defined by Merriam Webster, a satire is a
literary work holding up human vices and follies
to ridicule or scorn or trenchant wit, irony, or
sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or
folly. Animal Farm can be considered as such
because it makes fun of the Russian rulers,
characterizing them as pigs, the Russian
Bourgeoisie, creating vapid characters to
represent them, the Russian people, using
unintelligent sheep to symbolize them and the
Czar Nikolas by making him a drunkard and
terrible farmer. It creates humor out of the
stupidity of man and his reliance on harsh
leaders for survival.
As a Fable. . .
• As defined by Merriam Webster, a fable is a
fictitious narrative, as a narration intended to
enforce a useful truth; especially one in which
animals speak and act like human beings. While
Animal Farm does not have a moral or definite
truth presented in it, it has many that can be
implied on the subjects of human nature and
politics. It also features animals that speak and
act like humans, and for these reasons can be
regarded as a fable.