One of the main theme in Animal Farm was the use of power in order to control animals in lower class. This theme was seen through Napoleon's control of songs, propaganda by Squealer, and intimidation. Animals who were not literate were exploited by the upper class, pigs.
Animal Farm used the songs to control animals in lower class through upper class. The songs were "Beasts of England" and "Comrade Napoleon." In the book, the song of the Rebellion named Beasts of England gave a power to animals “Even the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and a few of the words...” and “They were so delighted with the song that they sang it right through five times in succession....” (Orwell. 13), this was that all animals like Beasts of England
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“The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.”(16) this was that Squealer's speech was persuasive. Squealer draw Napoleon’s face on the wall, “Napoleon approved of this poem and caused it to be inscribed on the wall of the big barn....” (95), this was that animals worshipped Napoleon by drawing. Napoleon wanted to let the animals listen to everything by worshiping. Squealer taught sheep to sing a new song, “Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER!” (134), this was that old songs, “Four legs good, two legs bad” was not desirable for pigs so pigs changed the song. The animals held Spontaneous Demonstration, “Long live Comrade Napoleon!” (116), this was that Napoleon tried to make consciousness one. From these quotes, Napoleon the animals were worshiping Napoleon and he trying to control animals by using …show more content…
The hens tried to thwart Napoleon’s wishes, Napoleon was quickly given punishment for the hens, “He ordered the hens’ rations to be stopped, ... (76), this was that if animal disobeyed Napoleon, punishment came down. There were always dogs around Napoleon, “Napoleon, with Squealer and another pig named Minimus,...” (57), this was that Napoleon made Intimidation by using dogs around him. Animals did not say anything because the dog was scared for animals. Napoleon killed every animal or person who he did not like, “When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess.” (84) this was that no one could not disobey Napoleon. As a result of continuing to give animals intimidation, no one did not say complaint to Napoleon, “Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when, in spite of everything-in spite of their terror of the dogs, and of the habit, developed through long years, of never complaining, never criticising, no matter what happened” (133), “Of never complaining, never criticising, no matter what happened” represents Napoleon's
Animal Farm is used as a literary device to symbolize the rise of Soviet Communism in an animal based story. In a more broad perspective, it is also a metaphor for human society and government, no matter the form. The pigs show the nearly inevitable development of tyranny in a the upper, more powerful classes, and how this is detrimental to the integrity of democracy and freedom. On the other hand, the lower class animals are used to display the dangers of having a naive, or uneducated working class that allows itself to be manipulated and lied to by the people that reside above them in the social
Animal Farm begins on Manor Farm, where overworked, tired, and hungry animals are unhappy in the conditions that they are in, but when an old boar named Old Major introduces the idea of a rebellion and encourages the animals to take control over the farm, the animals begin an uprising against the humans, taking control over the land and renaming the farm “Animal Farm.” However, greedy and corrupt leaders rise to power and turn a once prosperous farm, into a nightmare. In Animal Farm, George Orwell asserts the idea that absolute power results in corruption. Napoleon and the other pigs, interested in remaining superior, persuades the other animals by using intimidation and emotional appeals in order to keep control of the gullible animals.
The novel clearly reiterates the notion that more people conform than rebel when confronted with authoritarian control. The animals in the novel are divided into two categories. Those who have knowledge and therefore power, and those who lack knowledge and therefore are submissive. The main difference is that the submissive animals such as the horses and sheep represent the people that chose to stay uneducated, as it is a much less difficult pathway. They chose this because knowing consequences creates threatening actions against the livelihood of the animals. Despite the animals suffering from violence, poor conditions, and being overworked, they continue to conform as it becomes an easier lifestyle for them. The repetition of the lines “Napoleon is always right” and “I will work harder” showcases how the farm animals follow the routine of others and resign to conformity as their means of life, for it is an easier, simpler outlook to life for them. The idea of being an outlier and having a voice is forsaken by the animals, as the narrative evolves they witness more and more unruly acts of behaviour from the pigs, who are controlling the farm. The emotive language used within the line “Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn” effectively demonstrate how a wave of melancholic and frightened emotions flood through the farm animals, creating a sense of compliance within. The use of threatening tone within the lines “At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing
The best theme for Animal Farm by George Orwell is absolute power corrupts absolutely. According to “Animal Farm” by George Orwell it states, “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy,” (pg.43) and later on in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell it states, “...came out Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side (pg.132)…All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (pg.133). The quote on page 43 shows how Napoleon has had rules set in order so that the farm would be under control. The quote on page 132 shows Napoleon standing on his hind legs, which is against the rule. The quote on page 133 it shows the new rule that allows Napoleon to do what he wants. Napoleon took his power as the one in control and used to do what he wants and not what was best for all the animals. He changed the rule, so that he could do what he wants and not get reprimanded for it. Another quote in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is“...giving birth between them to nine sturdy puppies. As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers saying that he would make himself responsible for their education” (pg.51) and later in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell it states, “Napoleon stood up and, casting a particular sidelong look at Snowball, uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before. At this there was a terrible baying sound outside. And nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came
He goes on to imply that all animals should appreciate the sacrifice Napoleon has made in becoming their leader. He explains leadership is not a pleasure, rather it is a "Deep and heavy responsibility." The syntax Squealer uses is familiar to the animals that are used to wading in deep mud doing heavy duty work. Squealer knows the other animals are not very intelligent so these words would impress the others as they know they could not carry out such a task. Squealer can be seen here exploiting one of the animals' biggest flaws: their lack of intelligence and their inability to see through his shroud manipulation. He is ensuring that none of the other animals would want to be a leader. Squealer explains that Napoleon would be happy letting the other animals make their own decisions if he thought they would make the right ones following Snowball for example, would not be the right decision as far as the other pigs are concerned. The animals are lulled into a false sense of security that the pigs will look after them. This would further increase their trust in what Squealer is saying to them. However, one of the animals say Snowball was a brave pig. Squealer goes on to explain "Loyalty and obedience are more important." This would condition the
It was once when an animal was a slave and just an animal, but with a little bit of rebellion, things are turned upside down. Animal Farm shows an important point that it is easy to take advantage of those who are feeble, or less intelligent. Napoleon uses his power to keep the sheep working who follow along with the rest of the animals, and also exploits characters like Boxer who helps. In Animal Farm, George Orwell uses personification and detail to show a leader and followers viewpoints in an environment to prove how leaders and followers contributes to the loss of freedom and equality.
There are several themes in Animal Farm, some including: Leadership and corruption, control of naïve working class, lies and deception, and dreams and hopes. The main themes in Animal Farm leadership and corruption. Animal Farm portrays the history of the Russian Revolution by retelling the development of communism. In the novel, by overthrowing Mr. Jones, the animals give the power to the pigs who take complete control of the farm. The struggle for superiority between Leon Trotsky, a Russian revolutionary, and Stalin, a Soviet statesman, is portrayed by the rivalry between the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. In both cases, the less powerful one, Trotsky and Snowball, is eliminated by the more superior one, Stalin and Napoleon. Stalin's rule
Napoleon threatens the animals with death if they are to disobey his rulings. “He ordered the hen’s rations to be stopped and decreed that any animal giving so much as a grain of corn to a hen should be punished by death” (76). By introducing the concept of death and punishment, he frightens the animals into listening to his decree. In addition, Napoleon also interrogates the animals on the farm. “Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?” (67). This rhetorical question is repeatedly asked as one of Napoleon’s tactics to make the animals remember the previous conditions that took place on Manor Farm. He often uses this intimidating question to make them believe that they could always return to how things are. *Moreover, Napoleon declares stringent orders among the animals. “Napoleon had demanded whether any animal had anything to confess” (84). He uses forceful language to language to demoralize the animals until they confess their wrongdoings. Napoleon intimidates the animals by threatening them with death, repeatedly asking frightening questions, and is very demanding, all in order to manipulate the animals on the
Napoleon uses military force to intimidate the other animals and consolidate his power. In his supreme craftiness, Napoleon proves to be more treacherous than his counterpart, Snowball. At the regular meetings, Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches, but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. He was especially successful with the sheep. The sheep had taken to bleating “Four legs good two legs bad!” both in and out of season, and they often interrupted meetings with this. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into the chant at crucial moments in Snowball’s speeches. Also, it was observed that Napoleon had been taking the sheep aside to teach them a new song. After weeks of secret meetings, the sheep started shouting “Four legs good, two legs BETTER” and then the pigs were seen walking on their hind legs. This is a perfect example of how the pigs change the rules and bend the overall concept of Animalism to satisfy them and to make life easier for them. Also, the pigs start executing animals that don’t do what they are told. The other animals recall that it was in fact against the rules for an animal to kill another. The animals go to read over the 7 commandments to confirm their suspicions only to
a. Orwell’s “Animal Farm” is an allegory due to the usage of the concept of animals on a farm, which is usually a lighthearted subject, being used to reflect the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917. The events in the story also reflect on the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. In the beginning of the story, the Major, whom is an old middle white boar, encourages the other animals to start a rebellion. He wanted to kick out the owner of the farm, Mr. Jones, so that animals may instead rule the farm. “Why then do we continue in this miserable
Napoleon exploit's the animals inferiority complex. When he changes the seven commandments to justify his actions, the animals are doubtful as their memories tell them that the seven commandments were different. However Squealer tells them that they are wrong and it is just a figment of their imagination. The animals think that if napoleon says so then he must be right and so let him get away with it.
Throughout the book of Animal Farm the theme of leadership and corruption is continuous. The animal’s who have the biggest part in both of these major themes are the pigs. Napoleon, for example, takes over as the leader in the beginning of the book and later his leadership methods turn corruptive.
Animal Farm is an allegory to communist Russia throughout the early to mid 1900s. Led by Old Major, a wise pig that represents Karl Marx, the founder of the socialism, the animals on Manor Farm try to establish a self-sufficient farm run by animals with no outside human contact. This “self-sufficient farm” called Animal Farm was focused on creating a system where everyone is equal and happy, and no animal could be above any other animal. However, what happened in Russia as well as other communist countries, was that the interim government that existed to facilitate the change to socialism became venal and didn't care or pay attention to the social equality of all the people. The interim government, represented by pigs in Animal Farm did not give up their power, leading to the oppressive governmental system called communism. Additionally, in Animal Farm, the communist “pigs”, Snowball and Napoleon, did not pay attention to the growing social gap as they grew more powerful on the farm and ended up going against their original philosophies to keep all animals
Animal Farm is a novel by George Orwell. It is an allegory in which animals play the roles of Russian revolutionists, and overthrow the human owners of the farm. Once the farm has been taken over by the animals, they are all equal at first, but class and status soon separates the different animal species. This story describes how a society’s ideologies can be manipulated by those in political power, to cause corruption by those in leadership.
The novel Animal Farm by George Orwell has many themes but, the best theme is knowledge is power. The novel written by George Orwell states that, “The pigs now revealed that during the past three months they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr. Jones’s children and which had been thrown on the rubbish heap”. This quote is showing how the pigs learned to read and write from old spelling books. This shows the theme because it shows how they have power because they knew how to read and write. They needed to learn or they would not be in control of the animals and the farm. The next quote from the novel Animal Farm is, “But the pigs were so clever that they could think of a way round every difficulty”. This is illustrating