Examples Of Oppression In Animal Farm

Christina Nguyen
March 20, 2013
Ms. Sklavos
Honors English 2
Period 1 C4

In Their Footsteps
When people are seized under the control of a tyrant, they try to overthrow them in hopes of creating change. But what happens when they succeed, and are provided with a new ruler, only to realize it never really solved their conflict? The novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell portrays quite an ironic concept, because it talks about the constant struggle of the animals trying to establish their own freedom and swearing that they would never try to become human, but gradually turning into them in the end. Animal Farm discusses the oppression the animals have to face and the constant conflict between human and animal. Boxer and Squealer are examples
Boxer, as an individual, had been taken advantage of. Because he was practically illiterate, he felt like all he could do was hard labor and toil all day, every day. His dedication towards his work is a sheer example of oppression. Although educationally challenged, Boxer does become a role model towards the animals on the farm. Boxer’s strength and determination are enough to move the whole farm, but what that resulted in was the animals becoming more concentrated on work, also known as oppression. The animals are inspired to work, which makes it easier for Napoleon to manipulate and control. Looking at the bigger picture, it can be said that Boxer represents the working class, and the oppression that comes with it. Both are illiterate and uneducated, so they have no choice but to become extremely obedient and docile towards the leaders of the farm. Basically, the pigs had the ultimate advantage because they were more educated than a majority of the farm. Although Boxer had incredible strength and work ethic, Napoleon was still able to take advantage of his educational
The windmill represents an uneducated event. They reason why it seems so uncultivated is because all animals had agreed to build it, but they never had the money for supplies in the first place. Then when they build the first windmill, it falls apart. That meant that the work that the animals did and all the money that the spent went to waste. Napoleon, of course had blamed Snowball for the destruction of the windmill. Because there was no practically no money left, Napoleon resorted to taking horrible actions some of which included confiscating the hens’ eggs to trade. The hens, of course, protested against Napoleon but he simply had them executed. All of the animals were now scared of Napoleon and regret the fact that they had followed Napoleon’s orders in the first place. Boxer’s death had been caused by the windmill. Because of his dedication towards the farm and Napoleon, Boxer had literally worked himself to death just for the benefit of the windmill and the farm. Napoleon, being the oppressor that he is, had no concern for Boxer’s health, but was rather content with the fact that the windmill would be completed due to his work. The mindless idea of building a windmill further proved the advantage Napoleon created for himself over the animals of the