At once an allegory for both utopia and totalitarianism, Animal Farm is a story that expresses a dismal view of humans and their attempts to create a just society without compassion, history, and nonviolence. Orwell's book is decidedly anti-utopian and yet an unforgettable morality tale that entertains as it teaches.

This concise supplement to Orwell's Animal Farm helps students understand the overall structure of the work, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author.