| ✅ Paper Type: Free Essay | ✅ Subject: History |
| ✅ Wordcount: 1271 words | ✅ Published: 19th Jul 2021 |
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FacebookFacebook logoTwitterTwitter logoRedditReddit logoLinkedInLinkedIn logoWhatsAppWhatsApp logoIn George Orwell’s Animal Farm which is on the subject of the existence of a society of animals living on the Manor Farm. One first thinks that this novel is about the animals living in a farm from the title. But as the story goes on, it gradually begins to make the readers understand the depth content of the workings of society in Communist Russia. George has accurately compared the society of human to the animals to the animals living in the Manor Farm. In this novel, author has compared the Russian revolution, where animals represent the significant personage and act as the leaders in the Russian Community. Animals are used to demonstrate the operation of the communist class system and how the citizens(people) respond to this and the effect of the leadership by early Russian leaders such as Stalin on the behavior of the people of Russia. For instance, the Old Major makes the speech to other animals about the idea of revolution. Since he dies before the beginning of the revolution, it could be compared to the Karl Marx, whose ideas set to the Communist revolution in motion. The seven commandments are consider as one of the important step in the revolution which changed by the rulers of the Farm. This paper talks about how the seven commandments were altered during throughout the story and whether it reflects the message of the Communist Manifesto.
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After the rebellion took place in Manor Farm, it changed to Animal Farm where the set of laws was introduced to the citizens of the farm by the leaders. The set of laws which are known as The Seven Commandment are said to be “form an unalterable law by which all animals on Animal Farm must live forever after.”(Orwell) These Commandments were so important that they were painted by Snowball and Squealer “in giant white letters that could be read from thirty yards away.”(Orwell) The original Seven Commandments ran as:
- Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
- Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings, is a friend.
- No animal shall sleep in a bed
- No animal shall drink alcohol.
- No animal shall kill other animal.
- No animal shall wear clothes.
- All animals are equal.
These commandments were to be followed by all the animals living on the farm at all times regardless. As one can think from the reading, the simplest phrase that explains these commandments is “Four legs good, two legs bad.” As time passed by, the commandments were altered by the rulers of the farm. Napoleon (the pig who emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after rebellion) who very cleverly broke the commandment and reintroduced as “four legs good, two legs are better” Even though the first two commandments state that anyone on two legs is bad and should not be allowed in the farm, they were wracked in the first year. Since the pigs started walking on two legs, the first commandment was violated and more over, the hero of the Battle of the Cowshed, Snowball turned into an enemy of the Farm as he was thrown out by Napoleon and allowing trading through Mr. Whymper resulting in violation of commandments .
The pigs moved back in to the farm house which result into alteration of the first commandments. The third commandment restricts animals of the farm to sleep in the bed which was forced to change by Napoleon with the modification of the commandment by adding “with sheets.” After the rebellion took place in the farm, the first commandment overruled which was being “all animals equal.” As we read thru out the story the pigs were keep on changing the “unalterable laws” for their comfort just like we saw above with sleeping in the bed. According to Napoleon, sleeping on beds is not a major change yet it was not allowed earlier since humans lived on the farm slept on the bed. The pigs changed the commandment so wisely that the other animals of the farm didn’t think as the violation of the commandment.
The next commandment to change is “No animal shall kill other animal”. This happens not long after the confessions and executions of animals on the farm that were supposed traitors and in league with Snowball. After these executions, again Muriel, Clover and also Benjamin plus some other animals felt this did not square with this commandment. Once again, the pigs have changed the Commandments in order to justify their actions. The animals read the Commandment they though did not agree, “No animal shall kill other animal without cause”, and then the animals see how really the Commandments had not been violated.
The next commandment to change is when Napoleon abuses his power and made life harder for other animals. The pigs impose more control while reserving privileges for themselves. Squealer justifies every statement Napoleon makes, even the pigs’ alteration of the Seven Commandments of Animalism. “No animal shall drink alcohol” is changed to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess” when the pigs discover the farmer’s whisky.
One would never think that pigs ever made change to the commandment about the clothes as they were enough powerful to rule other animals. The seventh commandment explains that all animals in the world are treated equally without distinction. Instead of considering the commandments as “unalterable laws,” they were replaced by worthless slogan “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” which is totally opposite to with what they were introduced to other animals.
Orwell has used images to make his argument stronger. He has used events to help readers to understand his thoughts. While reading, we develop a feeling of sadness inside getting attach emotionally to the story. Orwell writes in a way to targets readers emotions because they have the ability to experience and feel the pain suffered by the animals in the farm. The following scene could create a strong sorrow to the readers “So Napoleon, with the help of his dogs, slaughters anyone who is said to be disloyal. The tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.” To top it off, Napoleon outlaws Beasts of England, which had served as one of the only remaining ties between Animal Farm and old Major?” (Orwell 65).
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In conclusion, it is clear that George Orwell intended his novel to allegorically represent the figures and events of the Russian Revolution, and through the characters of Mr. Jones as Czar Nicholas, Old Major as Karl Marx, and Napoleon as Joseph Stalin, Animal Farm makes a profound statement regarding the abuse of power. The animals began their revolution with the best intentions. However, their noble ideas of a utopian society where “all animals are created equal” gradually deteriorated into a totalitarian state with a cruel and unjust dictator which, of course, mirrors the chain of events that turned Marx’s dream of a classless society into the nightmare of Stalin’s ruthless regime. This evil cycle of rebellion, power, and then corruption is best described by Barbara Tuchman: “Every successful revolution puts on in time the robes of the tyrant it has deposed.”
Work Cited
Orwell, George. George Orwell’s Animal Farm. New York: Nick Hern Books, 2004. Print
Coffin, Judith G., and Robert C. Stacey. Western Civilizations. 16th ed. Vol. 2. 500 Fifth Ave, New York, N.Y. 10110: Norton & Company, 2008. Print.
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FAQs
What do the 7 Commandments in Animal Farm symbolize? ›
The Commandments
The Seven Commandments of Animalism, written on the barn wall for all to see, represent the power of propaganda and the malleable nature of history and information when the people are ignorant of the facts.
By the end of the book, the original commandments have been reduced to one statement that encapsulates the authoritarian nature of the farm: “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.”
What are the 7 commandments in Animal Farm quizlet? ›- whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. ...
- whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend. ...
- no animal shall wear clothes. ...
- no animal shall sleep in a bed. ...
- no animal shall drink alcohol. ...
- no animal shall kill another animal. ...
- all animals are equal.
Answer and Explanation: Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer write the original seven commandments that are supposed to serve as the basis for Animal Farm's new government.
Which of the 7 Commandments is the most important in Animal Farm? ›"All animals are equal" is the foundational principle of Animalism. It is the only commandment left at the end of the story, but it is changed to: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." By this, Napoleon and his minions mean that some pigs are more equal.
What commandments were broken in Animal Farm Chapter 7? ›The first rule to be broken is “All animals are equal”. It becomes apparent that the two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon (together with other pigs and dogs) enjoy special treatment at the expense of others.
How have the Seven Commandments changed in Chapter 6? ›As he figuratively rewrites history when explaining that there never was a resolution against using money or trading and that the animals must have dreamed it, he literally rewrites history when he changes the Fourth Commandment from "No animal shall sleep in a bed" to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." When ...
What commandments did Squealer change in Animal Farm? ›In the end, Squealer reduces the Seven Commandments to one commandment: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
What commandments were changed in Animal Farm Chapter 8? ›The chapter ends with Muriel rereading the Seven Commandments and noticing, for the first time, that the Fifth Commandment now reads, "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."
What remains of the seven commandments in Animal Farm Chapter 10? ›Napoleon carried a whip as he walked about the farm on two legs. He decided to restore the original name of Manor Farm. Clover and Benjamin discover there is only a single commandment remaining in the barn: ''All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. ''
How have the animals broken the Seven Commandments Chapter 6? ›
The pigs move into the farmhouse and a Commandment is broken – the animals now sleep in beds. This is explained away by Squealer as necessary for the defence of the farm.
What commandments were broken in Animal Farm Chapter 3? ›Snowball shortened the commandments to one line: "Four legs good, two legs bad." The sheep learned the simplified commandment of Four legs good, two legs bad! They chanted it for hours while lying in the field.
What is the moral of Animal Farm? ›The book echoes the idea that all power can contain an element of corruptibility. Perhaps the leaders, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, started out well-meaning, however once they realized that all of the animals listened to them without thinking, they started to abuse their power.
What is the quote at the end of Animal Farm? ›My favorite last line is from Animal Farm by George Orwell. “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
What is the final commandment? ›The New Commandment is a term used in Christianity to describe Jesus's commandment to "love one another" which, according to the Bible, was given as part of the final instructions to his disciples after the Last Supper had ended, and after Judas Iscariot had departed in John 13:30.
What was the final and perhaps most important of the seven commandments Animal Farm? ›What was the final, and perhaps most important, of the seven commandments? The most important was that all animals are equal.
What were the Seven Commandments the animals abide by? ›The Commandments of Animalism are “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy', “Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend”, “No animal shall wear clothes”, No animal shall sleep in a bed”, No animal shall drink alcohol”, “No animal shall kill another animal”, and “all animals are equal” (Daine and Hile).
Why are the Seven Commandments reduced to one maxim Animal Farm? ›Answers 1. Snowball reduces the commandments to "four legs good, two legs bad" in order to simplify things.... to make it easier for the other animals to understand the general principles of Animalism.
What commandment is broken in chapter 6? ›In Chapter 6, the Fourth Commandment is amended to: "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." This allows the elite pigs the right to sleep in the farmhouse on a bed with blankets.
What is the 6th commandment in Animal Farm changed to? ›Napoleon the pig changes the 6th commandment from 'No animal shall kill any other animal' to 'No animal shall kill any other animal without cause'. Napoleon has taken on more power throughout the farm and orders other animals put to death.
What happens to animals who are unable to learn the Seven Commandments? ›
When it becomes apparent that many of the animals are unable to memorize the Seven Commandments, Snowball reduces the principles to one essential maxim, which he says contains the heart of Animalism: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” The birds take offense until Snowball hastily explains that wings count as legs.
What happens to the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm Chapter 10? ›Clover sees the pigs walking on their hind legs and Napoleon carrying a whip. The Commandments have been erased and replaced by a single slogan: 'ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS' (Ch. 10, p. 85).
Why does Napoleon change the Seven Commandments? ›He gradually gained enough power on the farm to change the Seven Commandments which was originally meant to cultivate humility and promote equality among all the animals.
How is the 4th commandment broken in Animal Farm? ›Answer and Explanation: The pigs changed the fourth commandment from the original ''no animal shall sleep in a bed'' to read ''no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. '' The pigs added the extra bit at the end to create a loophole so they could sleep on the beds.
What single sentence did Snowball reduce the 7 Commandments to? ›To help the animals understand the general precepts of Animalism, Snowball reduces the Seven Commandments to a single slogan: "Four legs good, two legs bad." Napoleon, meanwhile, focuses his energy on educating the youth and takes the infant pups of Jessie and Bluebell away from their mothers, presumably for ...
What is the hidden message in Animal Farm? ›The grand theme of Animal Farm has to do with the capacity for ordinary individuals to continue to believe in a revolution that has been utterly betrayed. Orwell attempts to reveal how those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic promise of the revolution.
What's ironic about Animal Farm? ›In Animal Farm, George Orwell utilizes situational irony, displaying the pigs as corrupt leaders, to support Lord Acton's quote: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Situational irony is displayed when the pigs are ordering the animals to work, because it contradicts what most readers would ...
What is the political allegory in Animal Farm? ›The main action of Animal Farm stands for the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early years of the Soviet Union. Animalism is really communism. Manor Farm is allegorical of Russia, and the farmer Mr. Jones is the Russian Czar.
What is the most famous line from the story Animal Farm? ›“Four legs good, two legs bad.” This phrase, which occurs in Chapter III, constitutes Snowball's condensation of the Seven Commandments of Animalism, which themselves serve as abridgments of Old Major's stirring speech on the need for animal unity in the face of human oppression.
What is the most famous line from Animal Farm? ›'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
What is the final irony at the end of Animal Farm? ›
The book's final image expresses the animals' realization that the pigs have become as cruel and oppressive as human farmers. The ending also makes the argument that political power is always the same, whoever has it and whatever ideology is used to justify it.
Who is the missing 10th commandment? ›Fraudrin then reveals that he is not an actual member of the Ten Commandments, but a replacement for the missing member, Gowther.
What is the commandment in order? ›| LXX | P | Commandment (KJV) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Thou shalt have no other gods before me |
| 2 | 2 | Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image |
| 3 | 3 | Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain |
The Fifth Commandment named the persons of father and mother because it was to them, after God, that mankind owed most reverence.
How was the 6th commandment changed in Animal Farm? ›Napoleon the pig changes the 6th commandment from 'No animal shall kill any other animal' to 'No animal shall kill any other animal without cause'. Napoleon has taken on more power throughout the farm and orders other animals put to death.
How have the commandments changed in Chapter 6 Animal Farm? ›In Chapter 6, the Fourth Commandment is amended to: "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." This allows the elite pigs the right to sleep in the farmhouse on a bed with blankets.
What is the new commandment in Animal Farm and how is it ridiculous? ›What is the single new commandment, and how is it ridiculous? "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - it is impossible to be 'more equal', yet it shows the corruption of the pigs. At the party with the humans, Napoleon speaks about the changes on the farm.
How do pigs change the Seven Commandments? ›Once again, the pigs have changed the Commandments in order to justify their actions. The animals read the Commandment they though did not agree, “No animal shall kill other animal without cause”, and then the animals see how really the Commandments had not been violated.
Did the animals break any of the commandments in chapter 6? ›Napoleon tells the animals that he has decided to trade with the neighbouring farmers. The pigs move into the farmhouse and a Commandment is broken – the animals now sleep in beds. This is explained away by Squealer as necessary for the defence of the farm.
How do the pigs change another commandment in chapter 8? ›After finding a crate of whiskey in the barn, the pigs get drunk, and Napoleon is hungover and believes he's dying. He gets better, but Squealer revises the 7 Commandments to say no animal should kill another without cause and no drinking alcohol to excess.
What happens to the Seven Commandments Animal Farm chapter 10? ›
The sheep began to bleat, "Four legs good, two legs better." The animals are shocked to see the pigs walking around on two legs. Benjamin and Clover look at the commandments written on the barn wall, only to see that all seven have been replaced by one: All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
When the commandments change what do the animals blame the change upon in Animal Farm? ›A few days after the bloody executions, the animals discover that the commandment reading “No animal shall kill any other animal” now reads: “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.” As with the previous revisions of commandments, the animals blame the apparent change on their faulty memories—they must ...
What is the 7 Commandments? ›“Thou shalt not commit adultery”: seventh of the Ten Commandments.
What is the final commandment in Animal Farm? ›Only the last commandment remains: “all animals are equal.” However, it now carries an addition: “but some animals are more equal than others.” In the days that follow, Napoleon openly begins smoking a pipe, and the other pigs subscribe to human magazines, listen to the radio, and begin to install a telephone, also ...
Which animals could not learn the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm? ›It was also found that the stupider animals, such as the sheep, hens, and ducks, were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart.