What Do the Seven Commandments Represent in Animal Farm: A Reflection on Power and Ideology

blog 2025-01-20 0Browse 0
What Do the Seven Commandments Represent in Animal Farm: A Reflection on Power and Ideology

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a timeless allegory that critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the abuse of power. At the heart of this novella are the Seven Commandments, a set of rules established by the animals after their rebellion against Mr. Jones. These commandments initially symbolize the principles of Animalism, a philosophy advocating equality and collective welfare. However, as the story progresses, the commandments undergo subtle and overt changes, reflecting the erosion of these ideals under the pigs’ leadership. This essay explores the multifaceted symbolism of the Seven Commandments, examining their role in representing power dynamics, ideological manipulation, and the fragility of utopian visions.

The Seven Commandments as a Manifesto of Equality

Initially, the Seven Commandments serve as a manifesto for the animals’ newfound freedom and equality. They encapsulate the core tenets of Animalism, such as “All animals are equal” and “No animal shall kill any other animal.” These rules are meant to distinguish the animals’ society from the oppressive human regime they overthrew. The commandments are painted on the barn wall, serving as a constant reminder of their shared values and aspirations. At this stage, they represent hope, unity, and the promise of a fairer system.

However, even in their original form, the commandments hint at the potential for manipulation. For instance, the rule “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy” oversimplifies the complexities of power and oppression, reducing it to a binary distinction between humans and animals. This black-and-white thinking lays the groundwork for the pigs’ eventual exploitation of the other animals.

The Erosion of Ideals: Manipulation and Hypocrisy

As the pigs, particularly Napoleon, consolidate their power, the Seven Commandments begin to change. These alterations are subtle at first, such as the addition of the phrase “without cause” to the commandment “No animal shall kill any other animal.” This modification allows the pigs to justify their executions of dissenters, claiming that these acts are necessary for the greater good. The gradual distortion of the commandments mirrors the way revolutionary ideals are often corrupted by those in power.

The most striking example of this manipulation is the transformation of the commandment “All animals are equal” into “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This blatant contradiction exposes the hypocrisy of the pigs’ regime and underscores the theme of inequality. The commandments, once a symbol of unity, become a tool for maintaining the pigs’ dominance over the other animals.

The Role of Language in Power Dynamics

The evolution of the Seven Commandments highlights the role of language in shaping and controlling societal norms. The pigs, particularly Squealer, use rhetoric to justify their actions and reinterpret the commandments to suit their agenda. For example, when the pigs begin sleeping in beds, Squealer convinces the animals that the rule “No animal shall sleep in a bed” actually refers to beds with sheets, not the act of sleeping in beds itself. This linguistic manipulation demonstrates how those in power can twist language to maintain control and suppress dissent.

The commandments also serve as a form of propaganda, reinforcing the pigs’ authority and discouraging critical thinking. By presenting the rules as immutable truths, the pigs discourage the animals from questioning their leadership or the changes to the commandments. This reflects Orwell’s broader critique of totalitarian regimes, which often rely on propaganda and censorship to maintain their grip on power.

The Fragility of Utopian Visions

The Seven Commandments also symbolize the fragility of utopian visions. Initially, they represent the animals’ dream of a perfect society, free from exploitation and inequality. However, as the commandments are altered and ultimately abandoned, it becomes clear that this dream is unattainable under the current system. The pigs’ betrayal of the commandments mirrors the way revolutionary movements often fail to live up to their ideals, succumbing to greed, corruption, and the allure of power.

The final scene, in which the animals can no longer distinguish between the pigs and the humans, underscores the futility of their struggle. The commandments, once a source of inspiration, are reduced to a single, cynical statement: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This conclusion serves as a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of oppression and the difficulty of achieving true equality.

Conclusion

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm are a powerful symbol of the tension between idealism and reality. They represent the animals’ aspirations for a fair and just society, as well as the ways in which those aspirations can be corrupted by those in power. Through the evolution of the commandments, Orwell critiques the manipulation of language, the fragility of utopian visions, and the inevitability of inequality in hierarchical systems. Ultimately, the Seven Commandments serve as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of vigilance, critical thinking, and the need to hold those in power accountable.


  1. How do the Seven Commandments reflect the theme of power corruption in Animal Farm?
    The gradual alteration of the commandments mirrors the pigs’ increasing corruption and their betrayal of the animals’ revolutionary ideals.

  2. What role does Squealer play in the manipulation of the Seven Commandments?
    Squealer uses persuasive language and propaganda to reinterpret the commandments, justifying the pigs’ actions and maintaining their control over the other animals.

  3. Why is the final commandment, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” particularly significant?
    This commandment highlights the hypocrisy of the pigs’ regime and underscores the failure of the animals’ revolution to achieve true equality.

  4. How does Orwell use the Seven Commandments to critique totalitarian regimes?
    The manipulation and eventual abandonment of the commandments reflect the ways in which totalitarian regimes distort ideology and use propaganda to maintain power.

  5. What does the fate of the Seven Commandments suggest about the possibility of achieving a utopian society?
    The erosion of the commandments suggests that utopian visions are fragile and easily corrupted, emphasizing the challenges of creating a truly equal and just society.

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