Animal Farm is a literary masterpiece by George Orwell, which tells the story of farm animals who overthrow their human master and establish a socialist society. The pigs, who assume leadership roles, write Seven Commandments as the foundations of their new society. These commandments represent the ideals of equality, justice, and liberty. However, as the story unfolds, the pigs’ leadership becomes corrupt, and they start to break these commandments one by one. Understanding the symbolism of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm is crucial to getting a deeper understanding of the story and its themes.
The Seven Commandments are symbolic of the corrupting nature of power and authority. At first, these commandments embody the values of Animalism, the revolutionary principles that inspired the animals to rebel against their human oppressors. However, as the pigs become more dominant, they start to twist the commandments to suit their own interests. The most significant example of this is the sixth commandment, No animal shall kill any other animal. The pigs change it to No animal shall kill any other animal without cause, allowing them to execute those who oppose their rule. By breaking their own rules, the pigs expose the hypocrisy of their leadership and show how power can corrupt even the most noble ideals.
Another crucial symbol in the Seven Commandments is the phrase All animals are equal. This commandment represents the utopian vision of Animalism, in which every animal has an equal say in the running of the farm. However, as the pigs’ power grows, they start to assert their authority over the other animals. They form a ruling elite, give themselves privileges, and treat other animals as subordinates. The irony of this situation is that the pigs adopt many of the same oppressive practices of their former human oppressors. The commandment All animals are equal becomes a parody of its original meaning, showing how language can be used to manipulate and control people.
In conclusion, the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm symbolize the corrupting nature of power and authority. The pigs, who assume leadership roles, write the commandments as the foundation of their new society. However, they break these commandments one by one, exposing the hypocrisy of their leadership and showing how power can corrupt even the most noble ideals. By understanding the symbolism behind the Seven Commandments, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the story and its themes.
“What Do The Seven Commandments Represent In Animal Farm” ~ bbaz
Introduction
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a political allegory that uses animals to represent humans in the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Seven Commandments play a significant role in the story and represents the progression of the revolution. By examining the symbolism behind each commandment, we can better understand the themes and messages of the book.
The First Commandment
The Commandment
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
The Symbolism
This commandment demonstrates the animals’ hatred for their human oppressors. It represents the revolutionary idea that all humans are evil and must be eliminated for a just society to exist.
The Second Commandment
The Commandment
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
The Symbolism
This commandment shows the unity and equality between the different animal groups. It represents the revolutionary idea that all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, can work together towards a common goal.
The Third Commandment
The Commandment
No animal shall wear clothes.
The Symbolism
This commandment represents the idea of casting off the oppression of humans and embracing animal instincts. It demonstrates the rejection of societal norms and emphasizes individual freedom.
The Fourth Commandment
The Commandment
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
The Symbolism
This commandment embodies the revolutionary idea that all animals are equal and that luxuries should not be exclusive to those in power. It represents the rejection of hierarchy and emphasizes the importance of individual rights.
The Fifth Commandment
The Commandment
No animal shall drink alcohol.
The Symbolism
This commandment serves as a warning against corruption and abuse of power. It represents the revolutionary idea that leaders should avoid indulgences and focus on bettering society for all members.
The Sixth Commandment
The Commandment
No animal shall kill any other animal.
The Symbolism
This commandment demonstrates the idealistic principles of the revolution. It represents the belief that violence should be eliminated for society to progress and highlights the importance of unity and cooperation.
The Seventh Commandment
The Commandment
All animals are equal.
The Symbolism
This commandment is the embodiment of the revolution’s ultimate goal: ending oppression and achieving egalitarianism. It emphasizes the importance of equality and individual rights and serves as a warning against complacency and acceptance of the status quo.
Comparison Table of Symbolism
| Commandment | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hatred for human oppressors |
| 2 | Unity and equality among animals |
| 3 | Rejection of societal norms |
| 4 | Rejection of hierarchy and emphasis on individual rights |
| 5 | Warning against corruption and abuse of power |
| 6 | Belief in nonviolence and importance of unity |
| 7 | Emphasis on equality and individual rights |
Conclusion
By examining the symbolism behind the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm, we can gain a deeper understanding of the book’s themes and messages. Each commandment represents a revolutionary idea that is essential for achieving a just society. However, the animal characters’ inability to adhere to these ideals demonstrates the challenges and limitations of human revolution. Overall, Animal Farm serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of complacency and the importance of vigilance in maintaining individual freedom and equality.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the symbolism of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm. It is easy to overlook the importance of these rules and dismiss them as just another list of regulations. However, as we have explored, each commandment holds significant meaning and reflects the progression of the pigs’ corruption and ultimate betrayal of the other animals.
It is vital to recognize the symbolism embedded within literature, as it provides a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and messages. In the case of Animal Farm, the Seven Commandments serve as a cautionary tale about power, corruption, and the dangers of blindly following leaders without questioning their actions.
We hope that this article has helped shed light on the significance of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm and encouraged you to dive deeper into the symbolism of other literary works. Remember to always keep an open mind and take a critical look at the messages conveyed, as they may hold valuable lessons applicable to our lives today.
People Also Ask about Understanding the Symbolism of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm
Animal Farm is a novel written by George Orwell that portrays the Russian Revolution and the early years of the Soviet Union. The Seven Commandments are a set of rules created by the animals after they overthrow Mr. Jones, the farmer. The commandments are symbolic of the changing values of society under the new leadership of the pigs, who become the ruling class. Here are some common questions people ask about understanding the symbolism of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm:
- What do the Seven Commandments represent?
- What is the significance of the changes to the commandments?
- What does the removal of the commandments represent?
- What is the role of the commandments in the novel?
- What is the overall message of the novel?
The Seven Commandments represent the principles of animalism that the animals use to govern themselves after the revolution. They are symbolic of society’s moral code and the values that the animals believe are important for their survival and prosperity. Each commandment is a statement of belief, and together they form the basis of the animals’ ideology.
The changes to the commandments symbolize the gradual corruption of the pigs and the erosion of the values of animalism. As the pigs gain more power, they change the commandments to suit their own interests and justify their actions. The changes also reflect the propaganda and censorship used by totalitarian regimes to control their populations.
The removal of the commandments represents the complete abandonment of the principles of animalism and the loss of freedom for the animals. It also symbolizes the triumph of the pigs’ dictatorship and the establishment of a new social hierarchy in which the pigs are at the top and the other animals are oppressed.
The commandments serve as a literary device to illustrate the changing values and beliefs of the animals in Animal Farm. They also represent the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of maintaining freedom and democracy.
The overall message of Animal Farm is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of individual freedom and democracy. The novel shows how even well-intentioned revolutionary movements can be corrupted by power and greed, leading to the oppression and exploitation of the masses.
