Mariana Piedrahita
Dec/7/20
The controlled minds of the working class. The working class has been a large part of the population since the beginning of society. This class is often recognized for following the orders of other individuals with more power. Nevertheless, by analyzing the situation in which the workers are, it's clear to comprehend the danger this naĂŻve group goes through. In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, this topic is explicitly presented with his animal community. The way powerful figures of society take advantage of the lower classes are implanted in the story, but can also be seen in real life. The workers are also being controlled, manipulated, fooled, lied to, and oppressed. To control a worker is dangerously easy, not because they have a lack of knowledge, but because they are vulnerable. The way some authority figures command this naive group is vicious and cruel. On page 19 of Animal Farm, it says "Once again the animals were conscious of a vague uneasiness. Never to have any dealings with human beings, never to engage in trade, never to make use of money−had not these been among the earliest resolutions or at least they thought so (...) The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly, but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs." This shows that even though the animal society was not in favor of the leader's decisions, they felt confused and questioned themselves just because he was in command. The few who did notice the immoral personality of Napoleon try to opine but were shut down and controlled. On the other hand, the working class is also manipulated. Generals and officials know how to twist words, play on emotions, and manage to make sneaky situations to get what they want. The working class does not know any better, so they let others influence them. That's because it's easier to believe everything they are told and don't bother to analyze all the words that come from the leader's mouth. On page 11, when the pigs kept most of the apples and milk to themselves they stated the following, "You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health." This shows that convincing arguments can hide bad intentions. In this case, it hides the fact that the pigs had taken most of the food by
saying it was absolutely necessary. Since the animals never question it, it confirms that manipulation is present in the working class. Furthermore, the authorities not only lie to get their way, but they also avoid giving information on certain topics and apply censorship. One of the ways they can also take control of the workers is to compare worst situations with theirs, to make them think they are having the best tasks and jobs. Those two strategies make them unaware of their conditions and ignorance. That is demonstrated in chapter 5, page 17 of the novel when Napoleon avoids getting deeper into Snowball's expulsion and convinces them that even though they would work more and would not have any more debates, it would surely be better than when Jones was in charge. But when there are no debates nor democracy, only one person is in charge, therefore that person gains power over the others. Besides, by interpreting the leader's actions towards the working class, the lies and manipulation are simply a physiological game all authorities play with the vulnerable ones. The workers don't notice how they are never in favor of something but end up believing the leader and thinking the opposite as they did before. The generals play with their mains and make them even question themselves. On page 27, the author stated "Muriel read the Commandment for her. It ran: No animal shall kill any other animal without cause. Somehow or other, the last two words had slipped out of the animals' memory." This demonstrates how naive workers tend to ignore and forget the truth of something before the powerful individuals changed it for their own benefit. Additionally, it's mind blowing how the workers can be treated badly and work under horrible conditions but can outpass those details with just some convincing words. They are being fooled in the worst way possible, in a way they can’t acknowledge. They don’t stand a chance with the generals that take advantage of them. This is pointed out on page 34 of the novel, "Indeed, all the animals worked like slaves that year. Apart from the regular work of the farm, and the rebuilding of the windmill, there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs." Even though they worked like slaves, they did nothing about it. The leaders made sure to keep them in control so that they would never stop serving. At last, the unfortunate situation of the working class seems evident. They are controlled easily, but the real issue is the twisted way they are manipulated. The powerful figures make them think there is no problem in the way the leaders are managing everything. The workers can't see the truth behind the general's words, making them go through so much oppression without even noticing.
Isabella Oñoro
Dec/07/20
The battle between “two legs” mistreating “four legs”. The exploitation of animals by humans is seen in the novel “Animal Farm”.
Animals were always in danger, but they are
more in danger with humans by their sides. Animal Ethics (n.d) stated that “The raising and killing of animals for the production of certain types of foods is the most common one, though animals are also killed to produce clothing, for entertainment, or to be used as labor or tools, including their use as laboratory tools.” In the novel animals didn’t realize that Mr. Jones, the owner of the farm is exploiting them. Making them work every day, not eating the correct amount of food, and controlling all animals to satisfy him. Old Major’s speech includes topics such as revelation and mistreating, which made all animals realize that human society was exploiting them on a daily basis. Old Major explains how animals are slaves and exploited, who “two legs” are to blame. Many animals didn’t know what exploitation meant, so Old Major explained what is and how it is not a good thing. In both human and animal society, we know that one class of society is going to have an advantage over the other. Exploitation was the reason that all animals united and made a revolution in the first place. They wanted a change in the farm and wanted to feel free, not corrupted. On page 2 of the novel, it says "our lives are miserable, laborious, and short. We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength, and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty.” This part of the book demonstrates how animals feel on the farm in their daily lives working there. Major’s ideas represent animals living free lives without being used.
On page 2 of the novel “Animal Farm”, the author mentions that "man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.” This describes how this is the exact idea represented in the book, showing us how animals do all the work, while the human is exploiting them. A majority of the animals think that exploitation is our nature, which is not correct. Exploitation is not a good thing to do whether being an animal or a human. Being free doesn’t need to be only for the rich and high-class society. All members of the farm need to be treated equally without thinking about which class they are in because it is insignificant in this world. Every drop of work that animals do is consumed by the man, thousands of gallons that cows produce, eggs that chickens lay, wool that sheep produce, and many others. Animals sacrifice their lives for their work, only to be used by the man. Jones is the one triumphing by making money selling, while the animals are slaves, not eating well, not in good physical shape, dying, moreover various others. All the work that animals don’t favor them at all in any aspect. Life for the animals needs to be free and if they do a good job, humans need to repay them by treating them well and taking care of them. On the other hand, what happens to the lives of animals? The knife is the one to end their lives, their future is death and to Mr. Jones, his future is money thanks to the products he sells. “Two legs” can’t touch animals’ life span, this is not a game. Animals need to be well repaid, thanking all the work that society can not on the farm. For the members of the farm, freedom doesn’t necessarily convert someone rich, for them, it is way better to be poor and free rather than being slaves and exploited by the man. The need for animals to be free was so urgent that they made reunions to plan their next steps, the death of Old Major made them realize that they weren’t living good lives. When the farm made the rebellion they threw out all farmers and the owner of the farm and named it “Animal farm”. That name meant so much to them because they now owned the property not following “two legs” rules. The pigs learned to write and read,
furthermore they created the seven commandments needed to be followed by everyone until they died. These commandments were the rules that they dreamed to have ever since Old Major’s speech. All creatures worked in teamwork working on the harvest and it was their first job as owners of the farm that was successful. Nonetheless, when time passed the farm was a disaster because animals couldn’t do the things that men did.
At last, it can be concluded that animals during all the book are exploited, and that caused the rebellion that thought that it would change their lives, however, all members of the farm thought that they were going to be free, even, so they began to be exploited by the animals. An example of this is Boxer, he works and follows all the rules because he doesn’t want to disappoint napoleon. It can be seen how no matter what if you're an animal or human, in the story they are always being exploited. In society being free is very essential whether it is an animal or a human, everyone deserves to be treated equally right, still, this book shows how messed up the world is. References: (n.d.). Animal exploitation: Introduction - Animal Ethics. Retrieved December 3, 2020, from https://www.animal-ethics.org/animal-exploitation-introduction/
Santiago Rincón
Dec/07/20
Corruption at Animal Farm Corruption plays a big part in the story “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. It has shown plenty of examples of corruption and abuse of power with the corrupt leaders that take order of the society and those who live at the Farm. This story is a prime example of how power can corrupt the mind of anybody. Before the revolution, the animals had to live with a corrupt owner called Mr. Jones. Jones was an awful animal owner who repeatedly beat them and continued to treat them terribly. Because of the awful and abuse of power of Mr. Jones the animals begin to plan a revolution. Led by Napoleon, the animals successfully win the revolution between the humans and animals and end the corrupt leadership of Mr. Jones. After the Revolution, The Animals must decide who will be the new leaders. Without much discussion, the pigs automatically elect themselves as leaders. They were elected because they considered themselves the smartest animals in the farm, they persuaded the other animals to think the same. In a corrupt manner, the pigs instantly placed themselves as leaders without giving a fair chance to the other animals to be leader. As questions are starting to arise about the leadership of Napoleon (One of the Pig leaders). Napoleon begins to use the dogs to strike fear into those who question him. Making a Corrupt and Dictator type of leadership in the farm by making the society fear him instead of love and admire.
As life goes on in the Farm, the animals are struggling with food shortages. Napoleon is aware of this and begins to break one of the commandments that he created by stealing food from other animals in the farm. Because of Napoleon stealing food, this resulted in 9 other animals dying. Since Napoleon is still the leader, the other animals are forced to keep quiet and not rebel against him. A while later, the pigs' corrupt leadership continues. Napoleon has continued breaking the commandments. Animals are begging to go against Napoleon, trying to end his reign as a corrupt leader. Napoleon responds to this by using the dogs to strike fear into those who continued to challenge him. Those who repeatedly went against Napoleon were killed by him and the dogs. Snowball (Another Pig) Also goes against Napoleon. But after Napoleon Persuades the dogs to go against Snowball, they eventually make him run away from the farm. In conclusion Corruption takes a big part in this story as the leaders of the farm are corrupted by the power they have and begin to take advantage of that. Napoleon strikes fear into those who challenge him by treating them by killing them with the dogs. Napoleon even threatens one of the other pigs (Snowball) and makes him run away from the farm.
Isabella Conde
​Dec/07/20
​ The right choice of words
"Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble." -Yehuda Berg The words we read and hear define us and form our ideals. A clear example is one of the most recognized figures in history, Adolf Hitler. He was raised with the mentality that Jews regardless of their age or gender were the cause of all problems. This not only led him to have a strong hatred for them but with his high class education he managed to make millions believe his words and speeches which assured that Jewish people were a national threat, when in reality it was simply an elegant way of expressing his resentment and a well hidden and elaborated excuse to destroy them. Words are the most useful resource humans possess. Since ancient times words have become the easiest and fastest way to communicate, inform and persuade, because even the smartest become gullible to the right choice of words. If we travel into the past we can see that the greatest revolutions began with one person and his way of expressing his ideals so that they would be seen in a prosperous and promising way by using fancy words and empty intentions with unfortunate motivations such as power. Some clear examples are the catholic church and politicians. The Catholic Church since medieval times has managed to use words to inflict fear and guilt on those who believe in it and on those who do not. Faithful followers are promised that if they stay loyal to its regime no matter how much they suffer in the end they will be rewarded with peace
and eternal rest and those who do not believe in it are destined to an eternity of misery and suffering. Likewise, On the other hand, political figures take advantage of the less educated by using sophisticated words to propose a life quality improvement and education but later on they simply make it worse so that in the future they will be easier to manipulate their way into power. This can be shown in several historical events and novels such as “The animal farm”. This is an allegorical novel written by George Orwell, published in England on August 17,1945 It was inspired and based on the Russian Revolution. It expresses all the issues and methods that were used in the Russian Revolution through the metaphor of an animal farm. The author managed to show how the pigs, who represented the government, managed to take advantage of the working class, who were represented by the animals, by using their convincing words. The pigs managed to fool the animals into making them think he was fighting for equality when really he only cared about himself. Later on one of the pigs Napoleon convinces the animal that snowball is a traitor and uses military force to remove him which in this case represents the political opposition. In conclusion, Words are the most powerful yet underestimated resource us humans possess. People manage to trick people into new ideas, perspectives and loyalties by using the right choice of words and that is something we need to be more aware of. There is a lot of danger in what we say because like I said before even the smartest become gullible to the right choice of words.
Emmanuel Sojo
Dec/7/20
INFLUENCE OF THE FAILURE OF INTELLECT IN THIS ERA Leaders have always been recognized for their ease to influence people and create changes. Nevertheless, sometimes the same leaders that try to guide a society, also ruin it or change the ideals in it. With skills like eloquence, anybody can establish dominance in a group, and manipulate their way of thinking in every aspect of the society, the leader is trying to create. In the novel Animal Farm we can clearly evidence a failure of intellect in every aspect of the book especially in the working class. Failure of intellect is not a phrase that we use too much in society nowadays, primarily because people are ignorant and don't talk about this topic. Nevertheless, it is a reality. As a first example, we can cite page X chapter II “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.” The animals in the farm, at the point of the book weren't too aware of what could happen in the future, with these laws they were basically giving all the freedom to major to govern over them, indirectly, because of the rights that these documents display. In conclusion, these seven commandments were a complete failure of intellect because they were completely not using their intellect but the emotion of revolution they had at the time. As talked before, ignorance makes this issue worse. With these 7 commandments, what we can evidence in the novel is the urge of constructing an organized society and environment… but with no bases to do so. Also, it has to be taken in account that not all animals have the same intellectual capacities, resulting in disagreements and poor decision making. It is also important to point out that apart from ignorance, lack of confidence and being unstable (not raising your voice) can be also a clear example of failure of intellect. This can be explained by the fact that the animals were influenced by Major multiple times and didn’t act against him. Major influenced the animals to redact the 7 commandments, created a false confidence atmosphere, and even killed the hens.
Talking about having an unstable position in society, we can evidence Benjamin’s case. He was clearly really smart and wise, but did not have as much influence as the pigs. Maybe Benjamin wanted to reserve the opportunity to talk to see what could happen, but it is impossible to make a change by doing nothing. Actually, if he participated in the farm’s decision making more often, the farm would maybe be a safer and more organized place. Taking into consideration the fact that many of these farm animals don’t raise their voices against injustice, the pigs have the most influence and power in this hierarchy. Even though they are the ones that lead the group, in one part of the novel we can confirm that these animals start to act like humans. The pigs started to take control in the farm, and the leadership started to turn into a “dictatorship system”. If they were more empathic and intelligent they would take the other animals opinions into consideration. In conclusion, failure of intellect is a common issue nowadays and it can be evidenced in ignorance, weakness, and many other aspects that in our daily life may affect in a significant way. This book without any doubt has a lot of examples of failure of intellect, since this novel is created, with the example of the Russian Revolution, we may be there in some time if we don't open up our eyes and letting the elites in the governments control the society at their will.
Mariana Cumplido
Dec/7/20
The Societal Tendency Toward Class Stratification. Since ancient times society has learned how to classify humans in classes; whether we are talking about royalty or the working class, we are used to being assigned to certain groups. Even sometimes what defines the unification of these classes are a common enemy or common property. But, have you asked yourself, does these “class stratification” unifies people in each class or divides the whole society? A clear example of this topic and its analysis is the book Animal Farm (Orwell, 1945) which according to Kaitlin Taylor in 2011, it exposes how classes that are initially unified in the face of a common enemy (humans), as the animals are against them, they become internally divided when the enemy is eliminated. In the book, Mr. Jones has all the power but it’s a matter of time before the next leader assumes totalitarian control over the farm. Taking into account a real life example we could use how the book is inspired by communism. Where for starters in the farm there are no distributions among “the owner”, “the rich” or “the poor”. All animals were equal and they owned the farm together. But as it happened in the book, it also happened in our society. (Somin, 2017) “Although the communists promised a utopian society in which the working class would enjoy unprecedented prosperity, in reality they engendered massive poverty”. Meaning, the majority of times communism had been applied in a country it failed. Just like in the book, the leader claims he’s going to fight for the working class rights
and freedoms but ends up being como entele totalitarian and removing any kind of freedom; they become what they swear to destroy. As the book goes on, it is evident that this class that was one unified for defeating the “abuser”, little by little is divided by totalitarianism and ambition of power. As in communism tries in the past the “brainworkers” (pigs in the book) or leaders often used their intelligence or thinking skills to trick or manipulate the rest of society into thinking they are offering liberty from capitalism or poverty, but at the end is a threat to liberty and the cause of various social problems like mass murder, oppression and famine. We can extract from all the knowledge communism fails have left, that it divides more than it brings together, causes more oppression than freedom and leaves behind way more social problems than it offers. So, in conclusion, society is always going to have the tendency to classify in groups according to ethnicity or even maybe a common property, but as well as for starters this classification unifies, if it is executed wrong it can destroy more than other things; causing many critical social issues.
References: 1. Early Trends toward Class Stratification: Chaos, Common Property, and Flood Recession Agriculture (1992): https://www.jstor.org/stable/680039?seq=1 2. The Societal Tendency Toward Class Stratification (2011): https://prezi.com/_cgxz-9uu6pq/the-societal-tendency-toward-class-stratification/ 3. Lessons from a century of communism (2017): https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/11/07/lessons -from-a-century-of-communism/