Animal Farm: Themes

Key Themes

1. Class
2. Equality and Inequality
3. Power, Control, and Corruption
4. Language as Power

Class

Animal Farm explores the division of society into different classes and the resulting conflicts that arise. Orwell critiques how those in power manipulate social structures to maintain their dominance, leading to exploitation and oppression of the working class.

Key examples:

5. The Pigs as the Elite: The pigs quickly assume the role of the ruling class, positioning themselves as "mindworkers" while the other animals carry out the physical labour. This creates a clear class hierarchy, with the pigs enjoying privileges that the other animals do not, reflecting the class divisions seen in society.
6. Boxer's Role: Boxer, the hardworking horse, represents the working class. His dedication to labour and blind loyalty to the leadership make him an easy target for exploitation. Despite his significant contributions, he is betrayed by the pigs, who sell him to the glue factory when he is no longer useful, symbolising the exploitation of the proletariat.

Equality and Inequality

The novel begins with the ideal of equality, as the animals seek to create a society where all animals are treated equally. However, this idea quickly deteriorates as the pigs manipulate the concept of equality to justify their increasing power and privileges.

Key examples:

7. The Seven Commandments: Initially, the Seven Commandments are meant to ensure equality among all animals. However, as the pigs gain power, they alter the commandments to suit their needs, leading to inequality. The final commandment, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," epitomises the complete abandonment of the original ideal of equality.
8. The Distribution of Resources: The pigs' appropriation of resources, such as milk and apples, for themselves while other animals receive less, illustrates the growing inequality on the farm. This reflects the broader social commentary on how those in power often manipulate resources to benefit themselves at the expense of others.

Power, Control, and Corruption

Animal Farm is a powerful examination of how power can corrupt those who wield it. The novel explores how the pigs, particularly Napoleon, use power to control the other animals and maintain their authority, leading to the corruption of the original ideals of the revolution.

Key examples:

9. Napoleon's Consolidation of Power: Napoleon gradually consolidates power, using fear, propaganda, and violence to eliminate his rivals and control the farm. His rise to power mirrors that of totalitarian leaders like Stalin, showing how power can corrupt and lead to oppressive regimes.
10. The Use of the Dogs: Napoleon's use of the dogs as enforcers demonstrates how power is maintained through fear and violence. The dogs are trained to be loyal only to Napoleon, and they are used to suppress dissent and intimidate the other animals, reinforcing Napoleon's control over the farm.

Language as Power

Orwell illustrates how language can be used as a tool for manipulation and control. In Animal Farm, the pigs use language to deceive the other animals, maintain their authority, and justify their actions.

Key examples:

11. Squealer's Propaganda: Squealer, who represents the Soviet press, is adept at manipulating language to serve the pigs' interests. He frequently alters the truth and uses persuasive language to convince the other animals that the pigs' actions are for their benefit, even when they are clearly self-serving.
12. The Changing Commandments: The gradual alteration of the Seven Commandments on the barn wall is a clear example of how language is used to manipulate reality. The pigs change the commandments to legalise their actions, erasing the original revolutionary ideals and creating a narrative that suits their needs.