Animal Farm is a didactic text that Orwell aims to teach the reader a number of lessons:
-Class-class
-Equality and disparity
-Power, control and bribery
Through the events and characters in the novel, these themes are explored and are an
allegory of the Russian Revolution. The unhappiness of the animals reflects class struggle,
leading to a rebellion that offers some equality. Then the actions of the pigs allow for
inequality back on the farm. Throughout the novel, the theme of power and control is
explored and highlighted by the relationship of the characters.
Class-Class Theme
The animals had short, difficult lives, like the working class of Russia, working to produce stuff
that the ruling class would take for itself. The farm uprising tries to change this, but the
revolutionary pigs are soon following the ways of the capitalist class they were attempting to
overthrow.
Hardships of the animals:
He explains the difficulties facing the animals during the Old Major's speech, including being
fed barely enough food to survive, being worked until their 'last breath' and then slaughtered
with 'horrible cruelty.'
Evidence:
"No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. No
animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth."
Analysis: The contrast of the lack of 'happiness' and 'leisure' and abundance of 'misery' and
'slavery' in an animal's life helps to emphasise the hardships of the animals.
Exploitation of the animals by Mr Jones:
In his speech, Old Major says that the animals' produce is sold by Mr Jones and only he
profits.
Evidence:
"…how many of those eggs have ever hatched into chickens? The rest have all gone to market
to bring in money for Jones and his men."
Analysis:
Old Major uses a rhetorical question to get the hens to consider how Mr Jones has exploited
them and how he has sold their eggs for his own profit.
Exploitation of the animals by the pigs:
The pigs take any extra apples and milk for themselves, rather than share them out with the
other animals.
Evidence:
"It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would
happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back!"
Analysis:
Squealer emphasises the word 'your' to try and suggest that the pigs eat the food for the
other animals' benefit. The pigs exploit the others by threatening the return of Jones.
Equality and Disparity Theme:
In,Animal Farm Orwell uses the animals and their actions to make the reader think about
equality and inequality. Before 1917, the majority of Russian people suffered from great
inequality they had far less money and food than the ruling classes. One of the
Commandments is 'All animals are equal'. However, this equality is short-lived and the pigs
begin to bend the rules until inequality returns to the farm.
Animals and mankind:
During Old Major's speech he talks about how 'no animal is free' and that life for them is 'one
of slavery' and that 'man is the only creature who consumes without producing'.
Evidence:
"Man serves the interest of no creature except himself."
Analysis:
This short and blunt sentence shows Old Major's opinion about the inequality between men
and animals.
The rebellion:
After the rebellion, the animals agree on Seven Commandments that they will now live by - to
make sure everything is fair and equal.
Evidence:
"All animals are equal."
Analysis:
A simple sentence but hugely effective. There is no room for argument or debate here - the
intention of the animals is very clear.
The pigs taking control:
When the pigs take control they move into the farmhouse and sleep in beds - creating
inequality between themselves and the other animals.
Evidence:
"You would not rob us of our repose, would you, comrades? You would not have us too tired to
carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?"
Analysis:
Squealer argues here that without 'repose' the pigs can't carry out their work and so Mr Jones
will return. Squealer uses personal pronouns to create a difference between the pigs and the
other animals.
Power, Control and Bribery Theme:
Power and control is one of the most important themes in Animal Farm. Orwell explores
political power - Mr Jones owns the farm and the animals and uses his men and whips to keep
them under control and maintain his power. Orwell shows that the animals have the power to
challenge Mr Jones' control and take over the farm - using power in a positive way. He then
explores how the pigs use rhetoric and propaganda to establish themselves in power and take
control of the farm. It is interesting that the working animals, especially Boxer the horse, have
great physical power but they don’t use it to break free from the control of the pigs. Orwell
explores the idea of power leading to corruption. Many of the characters in the novel are
eventually corrupted by the power they have, particularly the pigs, as they manipulate their
position of leadership to exploit other animals.
Mr Jones:
Old Major teaches the animals a song called Beasts of England in response to Mr Jones
treating them badly. The song is about animals overthrowing man and being free.
Evidence:
Bit and spur shall rust forever, Cruel whips no more shall crack.
Analysis:
The animals sing about the devices Mr Jones uses to keep his power. The 'bit and spur' and
'whips' are used to cruelly keep the animals under control.
Thre Rebellion:
The animals fight back against the men and take control of the farm.
Evidence:
...this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as
they chose, frightened them almost out of their wits.
Analysis:
The animals surprise the men with their 'sudden' change in behaviour - it frightens the men to
see the animals using their power.
The pigs taking control:
The pigs take charge and begin to control the other animals. Napoleon uses Squealer and the
dogs to stop the animals' questions about the windmill.
Evidence:
Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so
threateningly, that they accepted his explanation without further questions.
Analysis:
Between Squealer being so 'persuasive' and the dogs so 'threatening' the pigs control the
animals by preventing them questioning their decisions.
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