Animal Farm | Themes | George Orwell
Central Themes in Animal Farm
Corruption and Power Dynamics
- The pigs deviate from the principles of animalism, prioritizing their own interests over collective welfare, leading to growing inequalities.
- As the pigs accumulate wealth and power, they manipulate the rules of animalism to maintain control, transforming the farm into a totalitarian regime.
Exploitation and Control
- Literacy becomes a tool for power; only pig offspring are educated while other animals remain illiterate, increasing their exploitation.
- The pigs leverage their education and strength to force other animals into labor with minimal benefits, ensuring that their efforts primarily enrich the pigs.
Deception as a Means of Governance
- To sustain authority, the pigs fabricate lies; Squealer employs propaganda to mislead animals about their deteriorating conditions.
- The alteration of the Seven Commandments exemplifies how pigs manipulate memories and perceptions among the animals.
Idealism vs. Reality
- Initially embracing animalism's ideals of equality and cooperation, animals gradually witness a departure from these concepts as practices diverge from original intentions.
- The song "Beasts of England" symbolizes lost hope for an ideal world that once inspired unity among them.
Apathy: Ignorance vs. Willful Blindness
- Two forms of apathy emerge: one is willful (exemplified by Benjamin), who understands but chooses inaction due to cynicism; another is ignorant trust in pig leadership among most animals.