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Animal Farm’s Seven Commandments are gradually broken as the pigs gain power. Betrayal, corruption, and greed lead to the downfall of the revolution.
Animal Farm, a novel by George Orwell, is a political allegory that explores the dangers of totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power. The story revolves around the animals of Manor Farm who overthrow their human oppressors and establish a socialist society based on the Seven Commandments. These Commandments, which are meant to ensure equality and justice for all, are soon broken by the ruling pigs who become more and more like their former human masters. In this essay, we will explore how the Seven Commandments are broken in Animal Farm, and how these violations ultimately lead to the downfall of the animal utopia.
From the very beginning of Animal Farm, the Seven Commandments are presented as the foundation of the animal revolution. However, it doesn’t take long for the pigs to start breaking them. Firstly, we see the pigs begin to hoard milk and apples, which were supposed to be shared equally among all the animals. Additionally, the pigs start sleeping in beds, wearing clothes, and even walking on two legs, all of which are prohibited by the Commandments. As the story progresses, we witness the pigs becoming increasingly tyrannical and oppressive, using violence and propaganda to maintain their control over the other animals. All of these actions represent a clear violation of the Seven Commandments, and demonstrate the pigs’ willingness to sacrifice the principles of the revolution for their own benefit.
The broken Seven Commandments in Animal Farm serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of holding our leaders accountable. Through the lens of this allegory, Orwell reveals how easily revolutions can be co-opted by those seeking personal gain, and how difficult it is to maintain true equality and freedom in the face of corruption. Ultimately, Animal Farm stands as a powerful reminder of the need for constant vigilance and the courage to speak truth to power, no matter how difficult or dangerous it may be.
1. All Animals Are Equal
As the pigs become more powerful, they begin to change the rules of the farm to suit their needs. They rewrite the Seven Commandments, changing them to benefit themselves. For example, they change the commandment No animal shall sleep in a bed to No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. This allows the pigs to sleep in beds while the other animals sleep on the floor.
2. No Animal Shall Kill Any Other Animal
Later in the novel, the pigs begin to execute animals who they believe are planning a rebellion against them. They also use violence to intimidate the other animals into submission.
3. No Animal Shall Wear Clothes
The other animals are not allowed to wear clothes, and this creates an unequal society where the pigs have more privileges than the other animals.
4. No Animal Shall Sleep In A Bed
The pigs argue that they need to sleep in beds to ensure that they are well-rested and able to make good decisions for the farm. This creates an unequal society where the pigs have more privileges than the other animals.
5. No Animal Shall Drink Alcohol
The other animals are not allowed to drink alcohol, and this creates an unequal society where the pigs have more privileges than the other animals.
6. No Animal Shall Smoke Tobacco
The other animals are not allowed to smoke tobacco, and this creates an unequal society where the pigs have more privileges than the other animals.
7. No Animal Shall Engage In Trade
The other animals are not allowed to engage in trade, and this creates an unequal society where the pigs have more privileges than the other animals.
Once upon a time, in a farm far away, the animals were tired of being mistreated by their human owner. They decided to revolt and take over the farm, establishing their own set of rules known as the Seven Commandments. However, as time passed, the animals slowly started breaking these rules, leading to their downfall.
1. All animals are equal
- The pigs started to consider themselves superior to the other animals.
- Napoleon, the leader pig, took all decisions without consulting the other animals, making them feel like second-class citizens.
2. No animal shall kill any other animal
- The pigs ordered the execution of several animals who they considered traitors, going against this commandment.
3. All animals are comrades
- The pigs started to isolate themselves from the other animals, not allowing them to participate in decision-making or even social events.
- The pigs also started to trade with humans, which was forbidden, showing that they did not consider the humans their enemies anymore.
4. No animal shall wear clothes
- The pigs started to wear clothes, which they claimed were necessary for their role as leaders.
5. No animal shall sleep in a bed
- The pigs started to sleep in beds, which they claimed were necessary for their health.
6. No animal shall drink alcohol
- The pigs started to consume alcohol, becoming drunk and violent.
7. No animal shall engage in trade
- The pigs started to trade with humans, getting money and supplies in exchange for farm products.
Overall, the animals broke the Seven Commandments due to the greed and thirst for power of the pigs. They forgot their original goals and allowed themselves to become corrupted by their newfound control over the farm. In the end, they became just like their human oppressors, proving that power corrupts even the purest of intentions.
Greetings, dear readers! As we conclude our discussion on How Are The Seven Commandments Broken In Animal Farm, we hope that you have gained a deeper understanding of George Orwell’s masterpiece. Throughout the novel, the pigs who represent the ruling class break the seven commandments they created to maintain order and equality among the animals. These commandments were a symbol of the animals’ hopes for a better life, but they were ultimately betrayed by those in power.
Firstly, the pigs broke the first commandment, which stated that all animals are equal. The pigs’ superiority complex led them to believe that they were more intelligent than the other animals and therefore had the right to make decisions for them. This led to a hierarchy where the pigs were at the top and the other animals at the bottom. The pigs’ manipulation of language also allowed them to justify their actions, as they changed the commandment to All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
The second commandment, which prohibited animals from owning property, was also broken by the pigs. They took over the farmhouse and lived in luxury while the other animals lived in squalor. They also used the resources of the farm for their own benefit, such as using the milk and apples for themselves instead of sharing them with the other animals.
Finally, the pigs broke the seventh commandment, which stated that all animals are equal, by walking on two legs and wearing clothes. This was a clear violation of the principles of Animalism, which aimed to create a society where animals were free from human oppression. By imitating humans, the pigs became the oppressors themselves, and the animals’ dreams of a better life were shattered.
In conclusion, Animal Farm is a powerful critique of totalitarianism and the corruption of power. Through the pigs’ violation of the seven commandments, Orwell shows how those in power can manipulate language and justify their actions to maintain their control. The novel serves as a warning against the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of questioning authority. We hope that our discussion has inspired you to reflect on these themes and to continue exploring the world of literature. Thank you for reading!
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People often ask how the seven commandments are broken in Animal Farm. Here are some examples and explanations:
- Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. This commandment is broken when the pigs start walking on two legs and become indistinguishable from humans. They also start making deals and alliances with human farmers.
- Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. This commandment is broken when the pigs start mistreating and exploiting the other animals, such as forcing them to work long hours and giving them less food.
- No animal shall wear clothes. This commandment is broken when the pigs start wearing clothes and even create uniforms for themselves.
- No animal shall sleep in a bed. This commandment is broken when the pigs start sleeping in beds and even move into the farmhouse.
- No animal shall drink alcohol. This commandment is broken when the pigs start drinking alcohol and even get drunk.
- No animal shall kill any other animal. This commandment is broken when the pigs start executing other animals who they accuse of being traitors or conspiring against them.
- All animals are equal. This commandment is broken when the pigs establish themselves as leaders and create a hierarchy where they have more privileges and power than the other animals.
In conclusion, the seven commandments are gradually broken by the pigs as they become corrupt and authoritarian. Their actions show how power can corrupt and how revolutions can be hijacked by those seeking personal gain.