George Orwell’s 1984 was intense. Animal Farm is also a statement on politics and society as the beasts of burden on the Jones’ farm rebel and chase off the owners and their hired help, inspired by the words of an old pig and taking advantage of opportunity. Some thought has gone into this, though the revolution was in force without strategic planning. Snowball and Napoleon, two boars (pigs being the smartest of the farm animals) put the others to work in keeping up the farm chores, milking the cows and harvesting the crop. They also have taught themselves to read and write, and try to teach all the others, the horses, dogs, donkey and goats doing a bit better than the rest.
None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A. It was found that the stupider animals, such as the sheep, hens, and ducks, were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart. After much thought, Snowball declared that the Seven Commandments be reduced to a single maxim, namely: "Four legs good, two legs bad." This, he said, contained the essential principle of animalism. Whoever had thoroughly grasped it would be safe from human influences. The birds at first objected, since it seemd to them that they also had two legs, but Snowball proved to them that this was not so.
"A bird’s wing, comrades," he said, "is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation. It should therefore be regarded as a leg. The distinguishing mark of man is the hand, the instrument with which he does all his mischief." (p. 40)
I can see the tendency already to follow man’s footsteps as the animals evolve into a "free" society. Laws, assignments, labels, marking of the enemy, a natural assumption of leadership, and the human flaws of greed and sloth within individuals.
But in the excerpt above I was halted from my reading of Orwell’s easy style and voice of narrative to notice the creative thinking; who among us has ever considered a wing to be anything but likened to at best, an arm? Orwell’s explanation makes more sense. Or maybe we accept it easily because we already have read half a book wherein animals run a farm and sing "Beasts of England" each night before sleep.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
You are starting to sound like Cliff Notes Susan
*slap*
talk about your own impressions more please.
Well, the whole reason for the post was the last paragraph, but thought I needed some background before I jumped right in. I do like this book and will be posting more. The good thing about reading the old stuff is that you shouldn’t have to say the obvious; it’s all likely been said before. But don’t forget, this is new to me and perhaps like myself, many have not read this eithr.