Animal Farm The 7 Commandments

Animal Farm's Seven Commandments: A Deep Dive into Orwell's Allegory

George Orwell's Animal Farm is a chilling allegory of the Russian Revolution, using the fable of animals overthrowing their human farmer to expose the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of power. Central to the narrative are the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the guiding principles initially established to create a utopian society for all animals. These commandments, however, undergo a gradual and insidious transformation, mirroring the betrayal of the revolution's ideals. This article will delve into each commandment, tracing their evolution, analyzing their symbolic significance, and exploring their relevance to understanding Orwell's potent critique of power and ideology.

The Original Seven Commandments: A Promise of Equality

The initial Seven Commandments, painted on the barn wall, represent the idealistic goals of the Animalist revolution, promising equality, fairness, and freedom from human oppression. They are:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

These simple, seemingly unbreakable rules form the bedrock of Animal Farm's initial society. They are easily understood by all animals, regardless of their intellect, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in the immediate aftermath of the rebellion. The commandments represent a radical break from the oppressive human regime and embody the core tenets of Animalism – freedom, equality, and mutual respect.

The Gradual Erosion of Ideals: A Study in Corruption

The true horror of Orwell's allegory unfolds as the pigs, led by the cunning Napoleon, gradually manipulate and reinterpret the commandments to serve their own self-interest. This subtle, yet effective, erosion of the original principles mirrors the historical process of how revolutions can be corrupted and twisted into their opposite. Let's examine how each commandment is altered:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. This commandment remains largely intact, though its application becomes increasingly selective as the pigs begin walking on two legs, justifying this by claiming it's simply a matter of efficiency and practicality. This demonstrates the ease with which a ruling class can redefine "enemy" to exclude themselves.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. This commandment undergoes a similar process of subtle revision. As the pigs become increasingly powerful and human-like, they begin to form alliances with humans, reinterpreting "friend" to suit their new relationships of power and trade.

3. No animal shall wear clothes. This commandment is broken by the pigs who, over time, start donning clothes – first boots, then hats, and eventually, full suits. This symbolizes the adoption of human traits and the abandonment of the original principles of equality.

4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. This commandment is subtly altered to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." This seemingly minor change demonstrates how easily a principle can be circumvented by those in power. The pigs start by sleeping in beds without sheets, then eventually add the sheets, again highlighting their increasing adoption of human comforts and privileges.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol. This commandment is broken outright as Napoleon and his elite consume alcohol, initially claiming it’s for medicinal purposes. The blatant disregard for this commandment reveals the hypocrisy and unchecked power of the ruling pigs.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal. This commandment is broken repeatedly, most notably during the purges and executions carried out by Napoleon's dogs. This reveals the brutality and ruthlessness of the totalitarian regime, demonstrating how the ideal of non-violence is easily abandoned in the pursuit of maintaining power.

7. All animals are equal. This commandment undergoes the most significant transformation. It is eventually reduced to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This chilling revision sums up the entire narrative, exposing the ultimate betrayal of the revolution's promise of equality. It demonstrates how power corrupts and leads to a hierarchical society even more oppressive than the one it replaced.

The Symbolic Significance of the Commandments

The changing commandments serve as powerful symbols within Orwell's allegory. They symbolize the gradual erosion of revolutionary ideals, the corruption of power, and the dangers of unchecked authority. The pigs' manipulation of the commandments mirrors the way totalitarian regimes manipulate language and propaganda to control their populace. By twisting the meaning of the rules, they maintain their grip on power, while simultaneously justifying their actions through deceptive rhetoric.

The simplification of the commandments over time also represents the dumbing down of political discourse and the manipulation of public opinion. Initially, the clear and concise commandments unite the animals in their shared purpose. As the pigs gain more control, the commandments become increasingly ambiguous and open to interpretation, allowing the pigs to control the narrative and silence dissenting voices.

The Relevance of Animal Farm Today

The allegorical nature of Animal Farm ensures its continued relevance in contemporary society. The manipulation of language, the subversion of revolutionary ideals, and the consolidation of power by a small elite are themes that resonate across various historical and political contexts. The story serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of unchecked power, the importance of vigilance, and the fragility of revolutionary ideals.

The story's impact remains strong because the themes are timeless. The allure of power, the susceptibility of people to propaganda, and the potential for even well-intentioned revolutions to go horribly wrong are enduring human traits. By presenting these themes through the accessible medium of an animal fable, Orwell makes the story's message both powerful and unforgettable.

The story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of critical thinking, skepticism towards those in power, and the continuous struggle to protect democratic values and prevent the rise of authoritarianism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main message of Animal Farm?

A: The main message is a warning against the dangers of totalitarianism, the corruption of power, and the ease with which revolutionary ideals can be betrayed. It highlights the importance of critical thinking and vigilance against those who seek to manipulate and control.

Q: Are the animals in Animal Farm meant to represent specific historical figures?

A: Yes, the animals are allegorical representations of historical figures involved in the Russian Revolution. For instance, Old Major is often seen as representing Karl Marx, Snowball as Leon Trotsky, and Napoleon as Joseph Stalin.

Q: Why did Orwell choose to use animals as his characters?

A: Using animals allowed Orwell to create a fable that was both accessible and easily understood, while simultaneously allowing him to satirize the political events of the Russian Revolution without directly naming names, thus minimizing censorship risk.

Q: How does the changing of the Seven Commandments contribute to the overall theme of the novel?

A: The manipulation of the Commandments highlights the central theme of power corruption. It shows how easily idealistic principles can be twisted and manipulated to serve the interests of those in power, thus demonstrating the vulnerability of revolutionary ideals to betrayal and the insidious nature of totalitarian regimes.

Conclusion: A Timeless Warning

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm are more than just a set of rules; they are a microcosm of the entire novel. Their evolution mirrors the descent of Animal Farm from a society built on ideals of equality and freedom into a brutal totalitarian regime. Orwell's masterful use of this simple device allows him to deliver a powerful and lasting critique of power, ideology, and the dangers of unchecked authority. The story’s enduring relevance underscores the timeless importance of understanding the mechanisms of power and the continuous vigilance needed to protect democratic ideals and prevent the rise of tyranny. The legacy of Animal Farm lies in its ability to make readers critically examine the world around them and question the narratives presented by those in authority. The commandments serve as a stark reminder that even the most noble of intentions can be corrupted, and that vigilance and critical thinking are essential to safeguarding freedom and equality.