How is Animal Farm a relevant novel for 21st century high school students?

Animal Farm remains relevant for 21st century high school students because the same threats Orwell describes in the novel still exist. In the novel, the good-hearted animals are duped by Napoleon and those who support Napoleon. Napoleon uses lies and fear to control the other animals and works them very hard for less and less food so that he and his small group can have more and more. The novel is a reminder that our rights are hard won and must be carefully guarded, not twisted to suit the agenda of a dictator or a small group that might not have the interests of the larger society at heart. The novel warns us to be careful about who we support politically, to weigh words against reality and to be alert to words being twisted to mean the opposite of what they were intended. For example, we should be alert to any twisting of our democratic principles, such as when Napoleon changes the commandment that "all animals are equal" but adding "but some are more equal than others." Orwell had a passion for people thinking carefully about politics and we would do well to heed his messages, especially during such a lively political season.