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.