Over the years, activists of all stripes have used George Orwell’s “1984” to brand those with whom they disagree as “Big Brother.” But I have found Orwell’s “Animal Farm” to be more disturbing.

While reading the book for the first time in seventh grade, I was thrilled when animals of a farm banded together to overthrow the reign of greedy, incompetent humans who owned it and how the animals, under the direction of the pigs, began to forge a better future. As I continued reading, I became increasingly disturbed as Napoleon, a large pig with bullying tendencies, steered this revolution into luxurious living for the few and dismal conditions for the rest. I yawned when Mr. Higgins, my english teacher, explained about how Orwell’s aim was to satirize the Russian Revolution, but I’ve never forgotten the sinking feeling in my gut as Orwell described the process by which greed, violence, and propaganda can so easily sabotage positive change.

The parallels between Orwell’s farm and the beginning of the age of Trump are eerie. President-Elect Donald Trump’s porcine physique, chauvinist tendencies, and bullying tactics are in sync with Napoleon, the lead pig. Like Napoleon, who used dogs as security, Donald Trump will continue to use his security apparatus in addition to the protection the Secret Service provides. Napoleon’s minister of propaganda, a pig named Squealer, bolstered Napoleon’s rule through charm, lies, and bluster. Kellyanne Conway, who used to work on a blueberry farm, bolsters Mr. Trump through charm, lies, and bluster.

Then there are the other animals. Boxer, the horse who worked tirelessly while regularly spouting two mottos: “I will work harder”; and “Napoleon is always right”, reminds me of those who blindly support the president-elect. Moses, a raven who tweeted about “Sugarcandy Mountain, that happy country where we poor animals shall rest forever from our labours!”, reminds me of those who preach that Heaven awaits only those who practice what they preach. And then there’s Benjamin, a wise and cynical donkey who understood the ways of the world, but couldn’t quite muster the energy to communicate his wisdom to others. Perhaps, there is a bit of Benjamin in each of us, as communicating countercultural views is often frustratingly risky.

Towards the end of “Animal Farm,” the phrase “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” became the farm’s new “mission statement”, and the book ends with the non-pig animals not being able to tell the difference between the pigs that rule over them and the men the pigs are entertaining. In the age of Trump, might this be the seamless unity between big government and big business? Or the merging of the United States and Russia? Both options are unappetizing, and as that cynical donkey says, “Life will go on as it has always gone on—that is, badly.”

Or perhaps President-elect Trump is a Pygmalion prototype, and after being transformed into a decent human being, will lead us into a period of positive change so that many of our lives are a bit better.

After all, we’re all redeemable.