Animal Farm - George Orwell
...and his quest for absolute power means that equality in Animal Farm is never truly experienced. Napoleon manipulates Old Majors ideals for an animal revolution and a quest for equality by forming a dictatorship where he can exercise totalitarian control over everyone. Ruthlessly he suppresses any rights the animals have. He uses a murderous terror campaign to subjugate his so-called ‘comrades’ to a point where there is no way for them to free themselves from his totalitarian society.
In his speech Old Major emphasised the effect man was having on the animals. That mans ruthlessness towards them meant that rebellion was the only way to free themselves from the life of slavery they were trapped within.
Old Major also preaches that man is the root cause for their hunger, misery and overwork. He states that “man is the only creature that consumes without producing” (p4), yet he is still lord of all the animals. He tells the animals that if they agree to rebel that almost overnight they would become rich and free.
…All the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings.(p5)
After hearing his speech the animals agree that rebellion is the only option. Although they know that there may be sacrifices that need to be made, they are willing to fight for their freedom. Old Major tells them that its not going to be easy but no matter what, they must always remember, “when fighting against man, we must never come to resemble him. Even when you have conquered him, do not adopt his vices” (p6). He tells that animalism has only a few laws that must be obeyed at all times. “No animal must ever kill any other animal. All animals are equal”(p6)
…Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend. (p6)
Ruthlessly Napoleon goes completely against all of Old Majors ideals. Instead of letting the farm run...
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