When Orwell’s “Animal Farm” was published, a book on the subject of animal rebellion already existed, written in 1924 by Polish writer Władysław Reymont, author of the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel “The Peasants.” In his book, Orwell wanted to warn against totalitarianism, drawing on his fresh experiences with World War II. Reymont, however, was horrified by the scale, brutality, and effects of the Bolshevik Revolution, and this inspired him to write “Rebellion.”
The main character, Rex, is a dog. Humiliated and beaten, he flees his home to avoid further torment. At the same time, he witnesses the suffering of other farm animals who have had the same negative experiences with humans as he has. He leads a bloody rebellion that overthrows human supremacy and then leads all animals out of the world ruled by humans and towards an unspecified direction: towards a “better future” and paradise. This creates conflicts of interest, and the spark of rebellion quickly burns out when there is no clearly defined goal and basic living conditions like food and water prove difficult to obtain.
Remont wrote this novel from the perspective of the nobility (to which he belonged). His underlying message is that just as farm animals need humans to survive, so peasants and common folk need the nobility and upper classes to function. Rebellion and revolution alone won’t change anything and can only worsen the situation.
The story unfolds interestingly and maintains its dynamic until the moment of rebellion. The March of the Animals (which reminded me of the biblical Exodus) is filled with descriptions of nature and the repeated complaints of a herd of animals. This left me wanting more after finishing this novel. It is written in engaging Polish and explores the important issue of social hierarchy and how much harm can occur when it is suddenly disrupted.