Inequality between the Animals in Animal Farm
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” How does George Orwell show this statement to be true in his novel Animal Farm?
Orwell shows the readers in his text, Animal Farm, an idea of inequality between the animals in many different ways. Some examples are through change over time, power and through the pigs and their role of education.
One way Orwell shows inequality in his text Animal Farm is through change over time. It is shown in the beginning of the novel that “[the animals] shall [not] kill any other animal” (p.15). However, after Napoleon takes the hierarchy, the commandments have suddenly changed to “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause” (p.61). This tells the reader that the animals are no longer equal and have the right to kill another with a reason showing inequality. This is one of the first minor ways the reader is shown how some animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
Animal Farm shows inequality in which corrupt figures gain and manipulate power for their own purposes. Lord Acton observed that: ‘power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ As the pigs gain power, it accordingly becomes harder and harder for them to resist the temptations of enjoying an easier life for themselves, especially as the other animals are presented as being too trusting to avoid themselves from being manipulated. Napoleon is driven by power and slowly descends into tyranny. In chapter seven it states that, “In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public, but spent all his time in the farmhouse, which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. When he [emerged], ……[escorted by] six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. Frequently he did not even appear on Sunday mornings, but issued his orders through one of the other pigs, usually Squealer.” He is driven by power and throughout the novel and simply spends his time planning how to take it. This has
Orwell shows the readers in his text, Animal Farm, an idea of inequality between the animals in many different ways. Some examples are through change over time, power and through the pigs and their role of education.
One way Orwell shows inequality in his text Animal Farm is through change over time. It is shown in the beginning of the novel that “[the animals] shall [not] kill any other animal” (p.15). However, after Napoleon takes the hierarchy, the commandments have suddenly changed to “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause” (p.61). This tells the reader that the animals are no longer equal and have the right to kill another with a reason showing inequality. This is one of the first minor ways the reader is shown how some animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
Animal Farm shows inequality in which corrupt figures gain and manipulate power for their own purposes. Lord Acton observed that: ‘power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ As the pigs gain power, it accordingly becomes harder and harder for them to resist the temptations of enjoying an easier life for themselves, especially as the other animals are presented as being too trusting to avoid themselves from being manipulated. Napoleon is driven by power and slowly descends into tyranny. In chapter seven it states that, “In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public, but spent all his time in the farmhouse, which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. When he [emerged], ……[escorted by] six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. Frequently he did not even appear on Sunday mornings, but issued his orders through one of the other pigs, usually Squealer.” He is driven by power and throughout the novel and simply spends his time planning how to take it. This has