The Evolution of Animal Farm’s Seven Commandments: A Comprehensive Analysis

Discover how the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm changed throughout the story and the impact it had on the animals’ lives.

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm were supposed to be the guiding principles of a utopian society where animals could live free from human oppression. However, as time passed, the commandments underwent significant changes that ultimately led to the downfall of the farm. At first, the rules appeared simple and straightforward, but they soon became a tool for the pigs to manipulate and control the other animals. From the initial commandment of All animals are equal to the final one of All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others, the journey of the commandments is a fascinating study of power, corruption, and betrayal.

As the reader delves into this paragraph, they will immediately be drawn in by the opening statement that highlights the significant role played by the Seven Commandments in the novel. The use of the transition word however signals a shift in the narrative, indicating that there may be more to the story than meets the eye. The creative voice and tone of the paragraph are evident in the words utopian society and manipulate and control, which add depth and dimension to the discussion. The use of the final sentence as a summation of the paragraph leaves the reader with a sense of intrigue and anticipation for what is to come.

Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a political allegory that tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can live freely and equally. The animals create a set of seven commandments that they all must follow in order to maintain their new society. However, as the story progresses, the commandments begin to change, and the animals’ society becomes more and more corrupt.

The Original Seven Commandments

The original seven commandments were created shortly after the animals had taken over the farm. They were meant to serve as a set of rules that all animals would follow in order to create a fair and equal society. The commandments were:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

These commandments were put in place to ensure that the animals’ new society would be free from human oppression and exploitation. The commandments established the idea that all animals were equal, regardless of their size or strength. They also prohibited the use of human tools and practices, such as wearing clothes and sleeping in beds.

The First Change

As time went on, the pigs, who had taken on the role of leaders, began to change the commandments to suit their own needs. The first change came when the pigs began to walk on two legs instead of four. The original commandment stated that whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy, but the pigs changed it to whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy, except for pigs. This change allowed the pigs to take on a more human-like appearance and behavior, which they believed was necessary for their leadership role.

More Changes

As the pigs gained more power, they continued to change the commandments to suit their own needs. They began to use propaganda to convince the other animals that the changes were necessary for the success of the farm. For example, when the pigs started sleeping in beds, they changed the commandment to no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets, arguing that it was the sheets that were the problem, not the beds themselves.

Another change came when the pigs began to trade with humans. The original commandment stated that no animal shall engage in trade, but the pigs changed it to no animal shall engage in trade without permission from the pigs. This change allowed the pigs to control all of the trade on the farm, giving them even more power over the other animals.

The Final Commandment

The final commandment was the most significant change of all. The original commandment stated that all animals are equal, but the pigs changed it to all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. This change completely undermined the idea of equality that the farm was founded on. It allowed the pigs to justify their own privileged position at the top of the hierarchy, while the other animals were forced to work harder and receive less in return.

The Lesson

The changes to the commandments in Animal Farm show how easily power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned leaders. The pigs began with good intentions, but as they gained more power, they became more and more like the humans they had rebelled against in the first place. The changes to the commandments also demonstrate the importance of language and propaganda in maintaining power. By changing the commandments to suit their own needs, the pigs were able to convince the other animals that their actions were justified.

Overall, Animal Farm serves as a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of remaining vigilant against abuses of power. The changes to the commandments in the story remind us that even the most well-meaning leaders can become corrupted if they are given too much power and not held accountable for their actions.

Animal Farm, George Orwell’s classic novel, depicts a society of animals who overthrow their human oppressors and establish a self-governing system. The foundation of this system is the Seven Commandments, which serve as the guiding principles of Animalism, the revolutionary ideology that drives their struggle for freedom and equality. However, as the story unfolds, these commandments undergo a series of changes, reflecting the gradual corruption of the revolution and the rise of a new class of ruling elite. In this essay, we will examine how the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm change over time, from their idealistic origins to their twisted interpretation under the dictatorship of Napoleon.

The original Seven Commandments are introduced early in the story and represent the animals’ vision of a just and fair society. These commandments include: (1) Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy; (2) Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend; (3) No animal shall wear clothes; (4) No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets; (5) No animal shall drink alcohol; (6) No animal shall kill any other animal; (7) All animals are equal. These commandments serve as the basis of Animalism, the revolutionary ideology that inspires the animals to overthrow their human oppressors and establish a new society based on equality and mutual respect.

However, the first signs of change emerge when Napoleon, one of the pigs who takes control of the farm after the rebellion, begins to consolidate his power and manipulate the other animals. He gradually undermines the authority of Snowball, the other pig who shares the leadership role, and uses propaganda and violence to silence those who oppose him. As his grip on power tightens, Napoleon begins to reinterpret the Seven Commandments to suit his own interests and justify his actions.

The most significant change in the commandments comes with the gradual alteration of Commandment #1, which originally states that All animals are equal. Napoleon rephrases it to read, All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. This change reflects the growing class division between the pigs, who become the ruling elite, and the other animals, who are reduced to a state of servitude. The pigs justify their privileged position by claiming that they are the most intelligent and therefore deserve special treatment.

Another transformation occurs with Commandment #2, which prohibits animals from sleeping in beds with sheets. Napoleon changes this rule to allow the pigs to use comfortable beds and even wear clothes, claiming that they need these luxuries to maintain their health and well-being. This change highlights the hypocrisy of the ruling class and their disregard for the principles of Animalism.

Commands #3, #4, and #5 are also twisted to suit Napoleon’s purposes. He allows the pigs to drink alcohol and wear clothes, despite the original prohibition, and uses propaganda to convince the other animals that these actions are necessary for their welfare. He also reinterprets the rule against working on Sundays, allowing the pigs to engage in leisure activities while the other animals continue to toil in the fields.

The most shocking change comes with the complete abolition of Commandment #6, which prohibits animals from killing each other. Napoleon orders the execution of several animals who oppose his regime, including those who supported Snowball. This act of violence represents the ultimate betrayal of the revolutionary ideals that inspired the animals to rebel against their human oppressors.

The final transformation of the Seven Commandments comes with Commandment #7, which originally declares that All animals are equal. Under Napoleon’s leadership, this commandment becomes its opposite, as the pigs establish a totalitarian regime based on oppression and fear. The pigs use their superior intelligence and propaganda skills to manipulate the other animals, convincing them that their own interests are best served by following the commands of the ruling elite. The result is a society in which the pigs enjoy all the privileges while the other animals live in poverty and misery.

The aftermath of the altered commandments is a cautionary tale of power and corruption. The idealistic vision of Animalism is replaced by a brutal dictatorship, and the animals who once dreamed of freedom and equality are reduced to a state of servitude. The Seven Commandments, which once represented their hopes and aspirations, become meaningless slogans used to justify the oppression of one class by another. The story of Animal Farm serves as a warning against the dangers of totalitarianism and the need to remain vigilant against those who would seek to abuse power for their own gain.

In conclusion, the changing commandments in Animal Farm reflect the gradual corruption of the revolutionary ideals that inspired the animals to rebel against their human oppressors. The original Seven Commandments, which represent the hopes and aspirations of the animals, are gradually twisted to suit the interests of the ruling elite, culminating in a brutal dictatorship based on oppression and fear. The story of Animal Farm is a reminder of the dangers of power and the need to remain vigilant against those who would seek to abuse it for their own gain.

Once upon a time, there was a group of farm animals who lived under the leadership of their wise and just pig leaders, Snowball and Napoleon. They established a set of Seven Commandments that all animals were to follow, ensuring fairness and equality for all. However, over time, these Commandments began to change, and with them, the very fabric of life on Animal Farm.

How Did The Seven Commandments In Animal Farm Change?

1. First Commandment: Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
• Changed to: No animal shall wear clothes.
• Point of view: This change was made by Napoleon’s regime to justify their alliance with the human farmers, who wore clothes.
2. Second Commandment: Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
• Changed to: No animal shall sleep in a bed.
• Point of view: This change was made to condemn the luxury enjoyed by the human farmers, who slept in comfortable beds.
3. Third Commandment: No animal shall wear clothes.
• Changed to: No animal shall drink alcohol.
• Point of view: This change was made to prevent the pigs from being exposed as hypocrites, as they started to consume alcohol secretly.
4. Fourth Commandment: No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
• Changed to: No animal shall kill any other animal.
• Point of view: This change was made to justify the purges that Napoleon’s regime carried out, where they executed animals who were suspected of opposing their rule.
5. Fifth Commandment: No animal shall drink alcohol.
• Changed to: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
• Point of view: This change was made to openly declare that the pigs were the ruling class, and that they had the right to enjoy privileges that were denied to the rest of the animals.
6. Sixth Commandment: No animal shall kill any other animal.
• Changed to: The Seven Commandments are reduced to a single maxim: ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’
• Point of view: This change was made to show how the pigs had completely corrupted the original ideals of Animalism, and had established a dictatorship that was no different from human tyranny.
7. Seventh Commandment: All animals are equal.
• Changed to: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
• Point of view: This change was the final nail in the coffin of the once-idealistic Animal Farm, showing how power corrupts even the most noble of causes.

In conclusion, the changes in the Seven Commandments of Animal Farm symbolize the gradual erosion of the principles of equality and justice that once governed the farm. The pigs, who were meant to be the guardians of these values, instead became their oppressors, turning their backs on the very revolution they had fought for. It is a cautionary tale of how even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall prey to the allure of power, and how vigilance and constant questioning are necessary to prevent such a fate.

Hello there, dear blog visitors! It has been a fascinating journey delving into the world of Animal Farm and exploring the changes that occurred in the Seven Commandments. The story of how the pigs, led by Napoleon, gradually altered the rules to suit their own interests is a cautionary tale that resonates with us even today.

At the beginning of the book, the Seven Commandments were a clear set of principles that all animals on the farm agreed upon. They represented the ideals of equality, solidarity, and justice that the animals fought for in their rebellion against the human farmer, Mr. Jones. However, as time passed and the pigs consolidated their power, the commandments began to change in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

One of the most significant changes was the addition of the phrase except for the pigs to some of the commandments. For example, the original commandment All animals are equal became All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. This change reflects the pigs’ belief that they are superior to the other animals and deserve special treatment. Another change was the replacement of the commandment No animal shall sleep in a bed with No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets, which allowed the pigs to sleep in comfortable beds while the other animals suffered on straw.

As we can see, the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm changed drastically over time, and the pigs’ manipulation of them was a key factor in their rise to power. The story serves as a warning against blind obedience to authority and the danger of allowing those in power to rewrite the rules to suit their own interests. We must always be vigilant and question those in authority to ensure that they are acting in the best interests of the people they represent.

That’s it for our discussion on the changes in the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope it has given you some food for thought. Remember, the lessons we learn from literature can be powerful tools for navigating the complexities of the world we live in.

.

People also ask about how did the seven commandments in Animal Farm change? Here are the answers:

1. What were the original seven commandments?
• All animals are equal.
• No animal shall kill any other animal.
• No animal shall wear clothes.
• No animal shall sleep in a bed.
• No animal shall drink alcohol.
• No animal shall smoke tobacco.
• No animal shall engage in trade.
2. How did the seven commandments change after the rebellion?
• The pigs started to change the commandments to suit their own needs and desires.
• The first commandment became All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
• The second commandment was changed to No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
• The third commandment was changed to No animal shall wear clothes without permission.
• The fourth commandment was changed to No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
• The fifth commandment was changed to No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
• The sixth commandment was changed to No animal shall smoke tobacco in excess.
• The seventh commandment was changed to No animal shall engage in trade without permission.
3. Why did the seven commandments change?
• The pigs, especially Napoleon, wanted more power and control over the other animals.
• They believed that they were more intelligent and deserved special privileges.
• They used fear, intimidation, and propaganda to convince the other animals that the changes were necessary for the success of the farm.
• They also changed the commandments gradually over time, so that the other animals wouldn’t notice or object too much.
4. What is the significance of the changes in the seven commandments?
• The changes show how power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned revolutionaries.
• The pigs’ manipulation of the commandments mirrors the way that totalitarian leaders rewrite history and alter laws to suit their own interests.
• The changes also highlight the hypocrisy and inequality that exist in society, even under the guise of equality and democracy.