What were the commandments in Animal Farm?
George Orwell’s classic novel, Animal Farm, is a powerful allegory that explores the themes of revolution, power, and corruption. The story is narrated from the perspective of the animals on a farm, who rise up against their oppressive human masters and establish their own society. The commandments, or the Seven Commandments, play a crucial role in shaping the fate of this utopian society. In this article, we will delve into the origins, significance, and eventual distortion of these commandments throughout the novel.
The original commandments were written by Old Major, the wise old boar who inspired the animals to rise up against their human masters. These commandments served as the foundation for the new society, known as Animal Farm. The seven commandments were as follows:
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 kill any other animal.
6. No animal shall work unless he wishes to.
7. All animals are equal.
These commandments were intended to create a society where all animals would live in harmony and equality. However, as the novel progresses, we witness the gradual distortion and manipulation of these principles by the pigs, particularly Napoleon and Snowball. The pigs, who were initially seen as the leaders of the revolution, began to adopt a more authoritarian approach and gradually transformed Animal Farm into a totalitarian state.
One of the first distortions of the commandments occurred when the pigs began to wear clothes, which was explicitly forbidden by the fourth commandment. This act symbolized the pigs’ increasing desire for power and control over the other animals. As the novel progresses, the pigs continue to manipulate the commandments to suit their needs. For instance, the second commandment, which stated that animals with four legs or wings were friends, was later rewritten to exclude the pigs themselves, implying that they were superior to the other animals.
Another significant distortion of the commandments occurred when Napoleon, the pig leader, began to enforce the commandment that no animal shall work unless he wishes to. This was a clear indication that the pigs were exploiting the other animals for their own gain, while still maintaining the illusion of equality. The other animals, however, were forced to work harder and harder, with little to no reward, as the pigs’ wealth and power grew.
The final distortion of the commandments came when Napoleon changed the seventh commandment, which originally stated that all animals were equal, to read, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” This statement effectively invalidated the original principle of equality and paved the way for the pigs’ continued dominance over the other animals.
In conclusion, the commandments in Animal Farm were initially intended to create a society based on equality and harmony. However, as the novel progresses, we witness the pigs’ manipulation and distortion of these principles to maintain their power and control. The eventual abandonment of the commandments symbolizes the failure of the revolution and the corrupting influence of power. Through the allegory of Animal Farm, Orwell highlights the dangers of totalitarianism and the loss of ideals in the pursuit of power.
