The Pigs' Intellectual Exploitation in Animal Farm Essay

Countless times, the book shows that the pigs lied and manipulated the others. They were able do this simply because the rest of the animals turned a blind eye towards the things they saw and were told. In the beginning, all the animals were so happy that they had won the rebellion and gotten rid of Mr. Jones, they did not realize that the newly communist society was slowly changing and not for the better. On page 32, it states “The reading and writing classes, however, were a great success. By the autumn almost every animal on the farm was literate in some degree. As for the pigs, they could already read and write perfectly.” As you can see, all the animals were educated – at least to some extent – but the pigs were by far the smartest. This shows that the other animals were able to at least recognize letters and words. While the animals were somewhat literate, they did not take the time to better educate themselves. This caused them to remain blind to the fact that Napoleon was slowly creating a group of sentinels and surreptitiously planning to get rid of Snowball. Napoleon took advantage of the fact that it had been decided that the pigs knew better when it came to certain things. For example, he took puppies away from their mother. He promised to educate them well. Napoleon seemed to be acting benevolent but

“They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments” (Orwell 24). This passage from the book suggests that the pigs are completely in charge of Animal Farm, and they use their intelligence to create the Seven Commandments, and rule the farm This moment is the beginning of the pigs’ reign over Animal Farm. Although it may look like Orwell shows the pigs using their intelligence for the well-being and prosperity of Animal Farm, he is actually using techniques like simile, metaphor, and imagery, to portray that they are using their intelligence incorrectly.

It is immediately decided that the pigs will be the leader of the farm, as they are the most intelligent animals there. This gives them the power over the other animals, even though they claim they are all equal. Since they are in charge, it is easier for them to weave ideas in to the susceptible minds of the others. Once they are proven to be

pigs to have more and more control over them. A great example of this is the long-lived donkey,

The animals you can tell, are easily manipulated by the “intelligent” animals, namely the pigs. This is shown when the pigs trick the other animals into thinking that they deserve the milk, apples, and food because they need it.This is quite a reflection of how Mr. Jones used to run his farm and take the objects, but the animals don’t see it because they believe the pigs when they Squealer says, “‘You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health’”(23). Significantly proving that the animals are manipulated easily. This is important because the pigs know this and use it to their advantage, becoming like the leadership that they had rebelled against. Because of this, I do not think they will continue to run the farm in later chapter because the animals will come to a realization that they are similar and will rebel again, breaking the rule of the two legged enemy.

(Orwell 35-36). This quote proves that the pigs are using their intelligence to trick the other animals in many ways. The first and most important way the pigs misuse their powers is by using math and science to confuse the other animals into doing whatever they say. This quote also proves the pigs are putting their wants before the farm’s needs to better their lives. The pigs realize how successful this is and use it throughout the novel to manipulate the other animals.

In the novel, Animal Farm, George Orwell shapes a tale of mistreated farm animals who overthrow their cruel and abusive owners while chasing their dream of equality and life without oppression. However, after the humans are finally chased out, the pigs rise up to power, ruling over their less intelligent peers. The pigs tell lies to deceive the animals and hide the truth. Some of the pigs are so thirsty for power that they will even betray their fellow pigs for more power and support. The pigs’ rule becomes more and more oppressive, however the animals don’t realize that they are being deceived, for their brains are muddled by the lies told by the pigs. Through manipulating the truth and the pigs lying to the rest of the animals, one learns that corrupt leaders twist the truth to make others support them and their ideals.

Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is a tale of hope, a fall, and then absolute corruption. The book takes place on Manor Farm where the animals decide to take control in a rebellion. Pigs, the smartest of the animals, find themselves in charge of these freed beasts. The theme of the book centers on the unfair rule that the higher class of pig has placed upon the less intelligent animals. With the great power given to the swine, they begin to emulate the humans that they once wanted to eradicate.

In chapter 2, when the 7 commandments were first written down, there was already a slight corruption in the pigs. The pigs steal the milk and apples and explain it with the lie that these foods have nutrients essential to pigs, which need these

Ignorance is one of the key factors that led to the totalitarian rule as well as enslavement of the animals on the farm. Education plays a diminutive role during the whole story. The pigs were rewarded with the control over the farm because of the ignorance of the other animals. The animals had decided that “the pigs, who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals, should decided all the questions of farm policy”. (62)

The pigs used propaganda numerous times throughout the novel in order to make the other animals believe in things that often weren’t true. The character Squealer is often behind the delivery of the propaganda and gives the “news” in favor of Napoleon. When Napoleon decides to fully take over the farm after chasing out Snowball, he uses Squealer to convince the animals that it is Napoleon ’s right to be in charge. Napoleon’s leadership later leads to many violations of the original rules that Old Major, the “brains” of the rebellion, had told the animals to follow.

The rest of the animals were sincere enough to let the pigs act as leaders of the farm. Soon after the discharge of Snowball, Napoleon took the position as leader. Intense labor and scarce rations became the norm. Whenever the animals questioned their circumstance, Squealer would be present to defend Napoleons decisions. “We pigs are brain workers, the whole management and organization of this farm depend on us” (Orwell 23) is what Squealer would say to persuade the animals into trusting them.

The animals worked really hard to provide a plentiful amount of food but the pigs took all they wanted. “Milk and apples quote” pigs lyed. The pigs distracted the animals with newfound freedom and work while they took the apples for their own game. The pigs gradually began to want more and more so they would start to amend the rules to their own gain while the other animals began to suffer. Such as when “a rule gave pigs more and hurt animals”.

Emily Giarrizzo Ms. McGinnity Honors English II 8 February 2016 The Downfall of Power Power is the capacity, ability or willingness to act; however, power is neither a good nor an evil act. What makes the act of power good or evil is the motivations and intentions of those who exercise that power. As seen throughout history and novelist George Orwell’s allegory Animal Farm, every powerful leader is corrupted at some point along their journey to attain power.

The pigs were getting everything, food, milk, cold and hot water and other animals were unable to understand what was happening. A few animals pointed out that what has happened to all the milk and apples of the farm. Napolean’s partner, Squealer was able to convince the animals that milk and apple contains substances which are necessary for the pigs as they are brain-workers. The organization and management depends upon them. So it is for the sake of Animal Farm that they eat the apples and drink milk, because if they would fail in their duty, Mr.Jones would come back. Thus, once again the stupid and unintelligent animals were fooled by the selfish and greedy