Animal Farm's Enduring Relevance in Today's Society
Written on
Chapter 1: The Legacy of Animal Farm
Over half a century has passed since I first encountered George Orwell's "Animal Farm" during my school years. First published in 1945, this dystopian novella depicts a group of animals in England who rise against their human oppressors to seize control of the farm. As these animals become “comrades,” their journey toward a totalitarian regime unfolds with both wit and dark humor. Spoiler alert: it concludes on a grim note.
I had either forgotten or was unaware that Orwell identified as a democratic socialist, critical of Joseph Stalin. He was not a capitalist or libertarian cautioning against the perils of a collectivist society; instead, he was a staunch believer in socialism who felt that the Russian dictator had distorted its ideals. Upon revisiting the text, the parallels to contemporary events are striking.
Major, the boar who sparks the revolution, enthralls the other animals by declaring, “…our lives are miserable, laborious, and short.” He proposes a new system called “Animalism,” free from human oversight. After expelling the drunken owner, Mr. Jones, and other humans, they enthusiastically destroy symbols of their subjugation. They set ablaze items that had represented their servitude, such as whips and chains. “In a very little while the animals had destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. Jones.”
Destructive Symbols in Modern Times
Currently, we witness similar actions where symbols associated with historical injustices are being dismantled. While it is reasonable to argue that the Confederate flag evokes painful memories for many African Americans, other removals appear less justified. For instance, should Jacksonville, Florida, be renamed due to its namesake, Andrew Jackson, a slave owner? With his statues being dismantled nationwide, this question arises.
Free Speech and Its Limitations
The animals do not establish a constitution, yet they create “The Seven Commandments”:
- Anything that walks on two legs is an enemy.
- Anything that walks on four legs or has wings is a friend.
- No animal shall sleep in a bed.
- No animal shall drink alcohol.
- No animal shall kill another animal.
- No animal shall wear clothing.
- All animals are equal.
These commandments are inscribed on the barn's side. However, as the authoritarian regime solidifies, a boar named Napoleon ascends as the farm's tyrant following Major’s abrupt death. Over time, his followers secretly alter the commandments. For example, they modify the fourth commandment to read, “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “…not to excess…” after discovering Jones' hidden stash of bourbon. The final commandment, “All animals are equal,” is also amended to include a cynical clause, “…but some animals are more equal than others.” This creates a dissonance where exceptions can be made based on current priorities.
In the United States, the principle of free speech is foundational, intended to flourish on college campuses. However, this is contingent upon the speech aligning with the prevailing leftist sentiments of students and faculty. If not, such speech may be silenced or canceled, giving rise to the term “cancel culture.” Thus, “free speech” exists in name only, as certain views are deemed more acceptable than others.
The Role of Science in Governance
Shortly after the revolution, the animals notice that the cows’ milk is vanishing. They are informed it is being mixed into the pigs’ feed. When the animals protest, the pigs justify their actions, claiming, “Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proven by science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary for a pig's well-being. The entire management of this farm depends on us.” Even in 1945, the term “science” was weaponized to bolster a political stance. Today, we often hear that government decisions during the pandemic are made solely based on “science.” However, science has its limitations. During the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, experts have struggled to answer critical questions, such as when the pandemic will end and how severe it will become.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) became well-known for its coronavirus forecasts, often cited by politicians to support lockdowns. Unfortunately, its predictions have frequently missed the mark. An independent international study criticized IHME's mortality forecasts, suggesting it significantly underestimated the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 death counts.
Fear as a Political Tool
The leading pig continues to instill a sense of urgency among his “comrades,” stating, “Do you know what happens if we pigs fail in our duty? Jones would return!” A key component in solidifying the totalitarian regime is fear, a tactic that remains relevant today. While I do not claim that America operates as a totalitarian state, fear has always been a potent political weapon. Phrases like “Vote for Candidate A and your lives as you know them will cease” or “This is the most crucial presidential election of our lifetime” are common in political discourse. “Follow our science-guided recommendations, or many will perish.”
The animals successfully repel Farmer Jones and other humans in a skirmish known as the “Battle of the Cowshed,” celebrated annually on the anniversary of the “Rebellion” each Midsummer Day. This is reminiscent of May Day, once a spring celebration but now synonymous with honoring workers in various communist nations. The significance of this transformation was certainly not lost on Orwell.
Video Description: An analysis of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," exploring its themes, characters, and the lessons that continue to resonate in modern society.
Chapter 2: Historical Revisionism
The farm had an anthem, “Beasts of England,” which was sung regularly until it was prohibited. When the animals inquire about its removal, they are told, “It is no longer needed… the song of the Rebellion. But the Rebellion is now completed.” Once a symbol of hope for a new society, it is deemed unnecessary by those in power. This mirrors current attempts to erase or reframe elements of history deemed unfit or offensive.
Similar to how the anthem was discarded, important symbols are judged and often deemed insensitive or irrelevant. The ongoing purging of American history is evident, with statues being toppled daily, even those of figures like U.S. Grant, who fought to end slavery. Additionally, a UCLA professor is under scrutiny for reading Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” which includes the n-word, potentially depriving students of an essential historical text authored by a civil rights leader.
Failed Promises of the Revolution
Major and Napoleon assured the animals that their lives would improve following the overthrow of humans. Instead, food shortages and poor living conditions ensue, while the ruling pigs and dogs indulge in luxuries. Ultimately, the plight of the animal workers becomes as dire, if not worse, than under human rule. The comparisons to Cuba and Venezuela are hard to overlook. The narrative concludes on a bleak note, with animals labeled “traitors” and executed for failing to adhere to the ever-changing rules. The ruling pigs openly violate the commandments, drinking alcohol, walking on two legs, and interacting with humans, undermining the very principles they once champi