Seven Commandments In Animal Farm

The Seven Commandments of Animal Farm: A Deep Dive into Orwell's Allegory

George Orwell's Animal Farm is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution, using animals on a farm to represent historical figures and events. Central to the narrative are the Seven Commandments, initially established as the guiding principles of Animalism, the revolutionary ideology. However, these commandments undergo a subtle yet significant transformation throughout the story, mirroring the corruption and power struggles that ultimately betray the revolution's ideals. This article will explore each commandment in detail, analyzing their original meaning, their gradual distortion, and their ultimate significance in understanding the novel's overarching themes of power, ideology, and the dangers of unchecked authority.

Introduction: The Genesis of Animalism and the Seven Commandments

The initial rebellion on Manor Farm, led by Old Major, the allegorical representation of Karl Marx, establishes Animalism as a new social order. Animalism is based on principles of equality, freedom, and mutual respect amongst animals. These principles are codified in the Seven Commandments, originally inscribed on the barn wall:

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, initially straightforward and easily understood, serve as the foundation of Animal Farm's utopian vision. However, the story's central conflict arises from the gradual erosion of these very principles under the increasingly tyrannical rule of the pigs, led by Napoleon, a stand-in for Joseph Stalin.

Analyzing the Seven Commandments: Their Distortion and Significance

Let's examine each commandment individually, tracing its transformation and revealing its allegorical implications:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. This commandment directly targets the human oppressors. Initially, it unites the animals against their common enemy. However, as the pigs gradually assume human characteristics, this commandment becomes increasingly ambiguous. The pigs eventually walk upright, wear clothes, and engage in other human-like activities, yet they remain in power, effectively nullifying the commandment. This highlights the hypocrisy and the ease with which ideology can be manipulated to serve the interests of those in power.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. This commandment complements the first, reinforcing the unity of the animals. However, as the pigs consolidate their power, they exploit this commandment to eliminate any opposition, labeling dissenting animals as enemies of the state. The pigs themselves maintain four legs (initially), but through subtle actions and reinterpretations, this commandment loses its initial clarity and becomes another tool of manipulation. The concept of "friend" becomes synonymous with loyalty to the pigs, not genuine camaraderie.

3. No animal shall wear clothes. This simple commandment is directly violated by the pigs as they adopt human attire. The wearing of clothes signifies the pigs' increasing adoption of human habits and their rejection of the principles of Animalism. This visual representation serves as a potent symbol of the pigs' betrayal of the revolution. The act of wearing clothes becomes a symbol of their power and their distance from the other animals.

4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. Initially intended to prevent indulgence and maintain equality, this commandment is gradually altered. The pigs first begin by sleeping on straw in the beds, then progressing to actual beds with sheets and pillows. This gradual escalation reflects the creeping corruption and increasing disparity between the pigs and the other animals. The seemingly small change becomes a significant marker of the pigs' ever-growing privilege.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol. This commandment targets another human vice. The pigs' consumption of alcohol initially takes place in secret, highlighting their growing hypocrisy and disregard for the rules they imposed on the other animals. The subsequent justification of alcohol consumption as a necessary activity for leadership further underscores their complete disregard for the initial principles of Animalism and their consolidation of power.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal. This commandment, meant to establish peace and harmony, is tragically violated repeatedly, primarily through the pigs' acts of violence and oppression. The dogs, trained and controlled by Napoleon, are used to enforce the pigs’ rule through violence, killing or eliminating any perceived threats to their authority. This underscores the inherent brutality of totalitarian regimes and the disregard for life that often accompanies absolute power.

7. All animals are equal. This is arguably the most crucial commandment, encapsulating the core principle of Animalism. However, it is eventually amended to read: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This blatant alteration, chilling in its simplicity, encapsulates the entire trajectory of the revolution. It symbolizes the complete abandonment of egalitarian ideals and the establishment of a rigid class hierarchy, with the pigs at the top, enjoying privileges and power far exceeding those of other animals. This infamous revision crystallizes the novel’s central message about the dangers of unchecked power and the manipulation of language to justify oppression.

The Manipulation of Language: A Key Tool of Oppression

The alteration of the Seven Commandments is not accidental. It is a deliberate and systematic process orchestrated by the pigs, illustrating the insidious nature of totalitarian regimes. Squealer, Napoleon's propagandist, manipulates language to justify the pigs' increasingly authoritarian actions. He skillfully rewrites history, alters the meaning of commandments, and creates a climate of fear and uncertainty that prevents any meaningful dissent. The changing of the commandments highlights Orwell's warning about the importance of clear communication and the dangers of allowing language to be manipulated for political purposes.

The Seven Commandments and Their Broader Significance

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm serve as more than just a set of rules within the novel's fictional world. They function as powerful allegorical symbols, representing the ideals of revolution and the ease with which these ideals can be corrupted. The gradual erosion of the commandments mirrors the historical realities of the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule, illustrating how revolutionary fervor can be exploited by power-hungry leaders. The novel's enduring power lies in its ability to expose the insidious nature of totalitarianism and the importance of vigilance against those who would exploit and manipulate power for their own benefit.

Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy of Warning

The Seven Commandments of Animal Farm stand as a potent reminder of the fragility of ideals and the constant vigilance required to protect against the erosion of principles. They are not simply rules; they are a powerful metaphor for the dangers of unchecked power, the manipulation of language, and the insidious nature of totalitarianism. Orwell's allegory remains remarkably relevant today, reminding us of the need to remain critical, questioning, and engaged in protecting democratic principles and the equality of all. The simple yet profound message of Animal Farm continues to resonate, a timeless warning against the corrupting influence of power and the importance of safeguarding our freedoms.