Question

How does the society on Animal Farm evolve over time?

• A. It becomes more democratic
• B. It becomes more egalitarian
• C. It becomes more tyrannical
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It becomes more tyrannical

Evolution of Society on Animal Farm

• Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegorical novella, often interpreted as a satire on the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
• Initially, after the successful rebellion against Mr. Jones, the animals establish a society based on the principles of Animalism, aiming for equality, freedom, and prosperity.
• The foundation of this new society is laid out in the Seven Commandments, which are painted on the barn wall. The most significant of these is "All animals are equal."
• However, over time, the pigs, particularly Napoleon and Squealer, gradually usurp power and manipulate the other animals.
• The society transitions from an idealistic, egalitarian commune into a brutal totalitarian dictatorship. This is evident through several key changes:
  • The pigs increasingly enjoy privileges, such as better food and sleeping in beds, directly violating the initial commandments.
  • The Seven Commandments are subtly altered by Squealer to justify the pigs' actions and maintain their control (e.g., "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets," "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess").
  • The final commandment, "All animals are equal," is changed to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," epitomizing the complete perversion of the revolution's ideals.
  • Napoleon consolidates power by expelling his rival, Snowball, through the use of force (the nine loyal dogs he raised from puppies). These dogs become his secret police, instilling fear and suppressing dissent.
  • The construction of the windmill, initially Snowball's idea, is taken over by Napoleon, and its failures are often blamed on Snowball, who is used as a convenient scapegoat.
  • The animals are subjected to harsh labor, food rations decrease for all except the pigs and dogs, and public executions (show trials) are carried out to eliminate perceived traitors.
  • The pigs eventually begin to resemble humans, walking on two legs, carrying whips, and engaging in trade with human farmers, symbolizing the complete corruption of their initial principles.
  • The novella concludes with the pigs indistinguishable from the humans, demonstrating that the new regime is as oppressive, if not more so, than the one they overthrew.
• This transformation highlights Orwell's central theme: power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
• For competitive exams, remember that Animal Farm is often studied for its themes of totalitarianism, propaganda, class struggle, and the abuse of power.