What Do the Seven Commandments Represent in Animal Farm, and How Do They Reflect the Illusion of Equality?

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a profound allegory that critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals, particularly through the lens of the Seven Commandments established by the animals. These commandments, initially crafted to embody the principles of Animalism, serve as a moral framework for the farm’s new society. However, as the story unfolds, the commandments are gradually altered, revealing the hypocrisy and manipulation of those in power. This essay explores the symbolism of the Seven Commandments, their evolution, and their role in illustrating the erosion of equality and justice.

The Original Seven Commandments: A Vision of Utopia

The Seven Commandments were created by the pigs, primarily Snowball and Napoleon, to codify the principles of Animalism after the animals overthrew Mr. Jones. These commandments were painted on the barn wall and served as the foundation for the animals’ new society. The original 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.

At their core, the commandments represent the animals’ collective aspiration for a fair and just society, free from human exploitation. They symbolize the ideals of equality, solidarity, and liberation that fueled the rebellion. However, the commandments also foreshadow the eventual corruption of these ideals, as their simplicity and absolutism leave them vulnerable to manipulation.

The Erosion of the Commandments: A Descent into Tyranny

As the pigs consolidate their power, the commandments are subtly altered to justify their increasingly authoritarian behavior. This process begins with small changes, such as the addition of the phrase “with sheets” to the fourth commandment after the pigs start sleeping in beds. Over time, the commandments are distorted beyond recognition, culminating in the final, single commandment: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

The gradual erosion of the commandments mirrors the corruption of the revolution’s ideals. Each alteration reflects the pigs’ willingness to prioritize their own interests over the collective good, undermining the principles of equality and fairness. For example, the prohibition against killing other animals is modified to include the phrase “without cause,” allowing the pigs to execute dissenters under the guise of justice. Similarly, the ban on alcohol is quietly removed after the pigs discover its pleasures.

The Commandments as Tools of Propaganda

The Seven Commandments also serve as a tool of propaganda, reinforcing the pigs’ authority and suppressing dissent. By controlling the narrative around the commandments, the pigs manipulate the other animals into accepting their rule. For instance, when the animals question the pigs’ violation of the commandments, Squealer, the propagandist, uses sophistry to justify the changes. He convinces the animals that their memories are faulty or that the alterations are necessary for the farm’s prosperity.

This manipulation highlights the power of language and ideology in maintaining oppressive systems. The commandments, once a symbol of liberation, become a means of control, illustrating how revolutionary ideals can be co-opted by those in power.

The Commandments and the Illusion of Equality

The ultimate transformation of the commandments into “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” encapsulates the central theme of Animal Farm: the betrayal of equality. This final commandment exposes the hypocrisy of the pigs’ rule, revealing that their commitment to equality was merely a facade. The pigs, who initially positioned themselves as champions of the oppressed, have become indistinguishable from the humans they once despised.

This betrayal reflects Orwell’s critique of totalitarian regimes, which often exploit the rhetoric of equality and justice to justify their authoritarianism. The Seven Commandments, in their original and altered forms, serve as a microcosm of this dynamic, illustrating how ideals can be twisted to serve the interests of the powerful.

Conclusion

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm are a powerful symbol of the tension between idealism and reality. They represent the animals’ hopes for a just and equal society, as well as the inevitable corruption of those hopes by those in power. Through the evolution of the commandments, Orwell critiques the ways in which revolutionary ideals can be subverted and used to perpetuate oppression. The commandments remind us that the pursuit of equality requires constant vigilance against the forces of greed and tyranny.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: Why were the Seven Commandments created in Animal Farm?
A: The Seven Commandments were created to establish the principles of Animalism and provide a moral framework for the animals’ new society after the rebellion against Mr. Jones.

Q: How do the changes to the commandments reflect the pigs’ corruption?
A: The gradual alterations to the commandments reflect the pigs’ willingness to prioritize their own interests over the collective good, undermining the principles of equality and fairness.

Q: What is the significance of the final commandment?
A: The final commandment, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” exposes the hypocrisy of the pigs’ rule and highlights the betrayal of the revolution’s ideals.

Q: How does Orwell use the commandments to critique totalitarianism?
A: Orwell uses the commandments to illustrate how revolutionary ideals can be co-opted and distorted by those in power, serving as a critique of totalitarian regimes that exploit the rhetoric of equality to justify oppression.

Q: What role does Squealer play in the manipulation of the commandments?
A: Squealer, as the pigs’ propagandist, uses sophistry and manipulation to justify the changes to the commandments, reinforcing the pigs’ authority and suppressing dissent among the other animals.