The celebrated novel "Animal Farm"
In the foreword of the Signet Classics version of the celebrated novel, Animal Farm (written by George Orwell) is described as:
“… a transcription of a view of life into terms of highly simplified symbols; and when it succeeds in its literary purpose, it leaves us with a deep indefinable feeling of truth; and if it succeeds… it leaves us also with a feeling of rebelliousness against the truth revealed.”
As you know, part of the reason I am re-reading these books (as #67 from the “Life To Do List” indicates) is to juxtapose my pre-collegiate understanding of the narratives with my current mid-twenties life experience. The layers of social commentary that I missed in High School have suddenly become all the more apparent to me as I read Orwell’s classic.
The paragraph from the foreword allowed me to focus on an element of the novel I was not able to grasp as a high school student. Because I had only a marginal understanding of gubernatorial structure, it was beyond me to compare my current political system with that of the pigs and horses on Animal Farm. Communism, Socialism, Democracy—if you asked me then, I probably could have recited the definitions that my textbooks provided. I could not have compared them for you with any level of true understanding.
Reading the novel now, I sensed an overwhelming amount of pessimism related to mankind. In the book, the character that seems to be Orwell’s personal voice is the donkey, Benjamin. He does not trust man nor animal. He follows the rules, but aims more to “first, do no harm” than to do any good. Because of this life view, it seems Orwell gave him perks. Benjamin is the first to see the true nature of greed and vanity as they devour the pigs’ psyche. Benjamin is also the first to observe that in reality, all animals are NOT created equal. Apparently, a lack of faith in man equals true insight.
While there are many lessons in this novel, three stick out to me:
1. “Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is -abolished for ever.” (Ch. 1, Pg. 19)
2. “All must toil for freedom’s sake.” (from Beasts of England)
3. “All animals are equal.” (from The Seven Commandments).
A Cartoon based on the novel
In Animal farm, the animals do not seem to own their thoughts. At points, the pigs work well with the other four-legged (and winged) creatures. There is a democratic-style debate on Sundays when new ideas are proposed. The animals are given options; monopolies are non-existent. Each being has a voice and a vote in the future. Seemingly, this is Orwell’s Utopia of Socialism.
However, it is when appropriately-named Napoleon decides to use brute force and violence that everything changes. Suddenly, he brainwashes his “comrades” into believing that the Seven Commandments once written on the back wall of the barn included qualifiers such as “in excess.” He appoints himself prestigious medals and has a minion of wolves to help “convince” his disciples that his word is their bond.
Suddenly, it becomes apparent that history is repeating itself and a true Utopian (and Communist) ideal of true equality with leaderless government is not attainable. It is man’s nature to be greedy. It is man’s nature to take advantage of others’ hard work. And of course, it is obviously true that not all animals (or men) are equal. They may have been created as such, but they do not enjoy an equitable reality.
The Pig's commandments
Upon realizing this “reality,” I find it difficult to resist feeling completely depressed. If Man’s true nature is not good, what are we to do? If we are doomed to consume all without producing anything worthwhile (as Major accuses us in Chapter 1), what are we suppose to look forward to? I couldn’t imagine that all Orwell wanted to do was complain about the world. Didn’t he want to fix it?
And then, then I realized why Orwell wrote the novel this way. I remembered the paragraph from the foreword. “If it succeeds also, as Orwell set out to do, in a political as well an artistic purpose, it leaves us also with a feeling of rebelliousness against the truth revealed.” Suddenly the marching orders are clearer. Orwell is challenging humankind to change our reality. To refuse to have this be our truth. In fact, to rebel.
Our natural inclination to follow the leader instead of chart our own course, to sacrifice and undervalue our personal voice, to trust those that may not have earned it… rebel against these urges, says Orwell!
Sounds good to me.
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