“All that necessary for the triumph of evil is when good men do nothing”. Edmund Burke once stated this and he is more than correct. The history of the constant battles between good and evil can be explained through this quote. We see good people who are more than capable of stopping an opposing force, doing nothing at all. This could be from lack of self will, lack of skill or just the naivete of the person. George Orwell’s Animal Farm displays this perfectly. Many animals could have stopped those wretched others, but close not to. The evil, which is portrayed through the pigs, is able to succeed because animals who are seen as good, being Jessie, Muriel and Boxer, do nothing to stop it from taking the puppies, do not resist when forced to work, and they do not ever expose it as an actual evil force. In many instances in this book, we see animals just allowing the evil force to do whatever it wants their lives. Jessie is the most prominent example. She could have prevented the on spread of evil if she had fought to keep the puppies and now allow Napoleon to take them. The puppies were Jessie’s weakness, and she chose to do what she thought was best for them, instead of what was best for herself. The author shows how the puppies were used to spread evil when he writes, “At this time there was a terrible baying sound outside and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws” (35). The pigs were using the puppies as an act of violence against all the other animals. They were forced to listen and accord full power to the pigs because, in reality, they had no other choice. The ... ... middle of paper ... ...animals had the ability and many even had the knowledge and awareness of the truth behind the pig’s plan with the farm, but they chose to do nothing because of the constant fear they were living in. Jessie knew what the puppies could turn out to be if Napoleon took them away, and she had the power to stop it, but she chose not to. Muriel knew about the plans the pigs had, and she had the mental ability to stop them, but she chose not to. Boxer knew he was being overworked and that he could not live like that much longer, but his naivete did not allow him to stop them. Because of this, evil was able to succeed and fully capture the farm for itself, and there was nothing anybody could do after that. But what if the animals had done something? What if the pigs were exposed? Seems only logical to assume that things would have turned out a whole lot different.
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (Lewis, 1994, p. 91). Throughout history man has had to struggle with the problem of evil. It is one of the greatest problems of the world. Unquestionably, there is no greater challenge to man’s faith then the existence of evil and a suffering world. The problem can be stated simply: If God is an all-knowing and all-loving God, how can He allow evil? If God is so good, how can He allow such bad things to happen?Why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? These are fundamental questions that many Christians and non-Christians set out to answer.
The actions of the pigs express this theme by starting with good intentions, but slowly becoming more and more like what they were trying to avoid. In the beginning of the story Old Major gives a speech to the animals on the farm, and in this speech he mentions how cruel the humans are. During his speech Old Major uses Boxer the horse as an example when he says “You, Boxer, the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power, Jones will sell you to the knacker, who will cut your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds.” (Orwell 11). He then proceeds to tell the animals that once they revolt the cruelty will end, and at first it does, but soon the pigs begin to act more like humans. The pi...
People have constantly attempted to understand what evil truly is, and, if possible, how to eliminate this evil from their lives. However, first it must be known what it is that is being eliminated. Different people, cultures, and eras have all had a different view of what evil is, and how it affects their lives, and there is no true answer. Because of this, discussing the idea of whether people are born or can be evil is meaningless. The idea of what evil is, and whether people can be evil, is relative and cannot be applied to human nature in a universal way.
When the Clover and Muriel notice that the commandments of Animal Farm have been changing, Squealer assures the animals that no such action has been done and warns them that Mr. Jones may come back if the pigs did not get enough of their “necessities” for work. These “necessities” for work are merely just an excuse the pigs harness to deceive the other animals, who are not as intelligent, so that the pigs themselves can indulge the human creations that is originally created by animal effort. This endless greed and self-benefitting mindset is one of the reasons why Animal Farm fails to become the utopia, not only Old Major wants, but the utopia that all the animals fought for. In addition, after the Fredericks dynamite the windmill, Boxer, who receives major wounds, is sold to the Glue Boiler only to allow the pigs to “acquire the money to buy themselves another case of whisky” (Orwell 126). Boxer, one of Animal Farm’s most loyal workers is sold to the Horse slaughterer so that the pigs could self-indulge in a case of whisky. This government could not become any more corrupt as to not give their most hardworking subordinate a proper retirement or even an honorable burial. Overall, it is the manifestation of greed and selfishness that drives Animal Farm to corruption and
The higher equality of certain animals was a major contribution to the general act of hypocrisy that takes place on Animal Farm. During the beginning of the novel, all the animals are equal and happy, but once the pigs gain total control, they decide to change the rules. : “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”(90). This is hypocritical due to the sudden change of the animal’s views. During the beginning of the novel, all the animals are equal and agree upon equality as a group. After a while, the pigs begin creating rules that help to provide and advantage themselves. After the pigs make this statement, the other animals begin to see that Napoleon and his committee are very similar to their previous owner, Mr. Jones. While the pigs are living the simple life of relaxation, the other animals are doing slave labour to ensure that humans do not regain control of Animal Farm and ensuring that they don’t not lose control of their own lives.
Like a snake, Napoleon cheated his way through words and overthrew Snowball, only to find out he would steal his justifying ideas after he attained enough authority. Consequently, Napoleon’s corrupt power is evident when the author asserts, “Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week, and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoon as well. This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half” (Orwell 29). This is captivating for it exemplifies Napoleon’s tarnished power for he was voluntarily forcing his comrades to work for food on their plate. By withholding food rations, Napoleon has control over all of the animals as food is crucial resource to survival. He promises more food, yet he abused the animals’ inability to remember as a mean of regulating distribution. Subsequently, Napoleon wasn’t barring there, “In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic, and it became necessary to elect a President. There was only one candidate, Napoleon, who was elected unanimously” (Orwell 54). How fortunate must’ve Napoleon been to inherit full authorization on Animal Farm. Once Napoleon orders the execution of the pigs and the hens, there is an immediate descent into supplementary betrayal, which leads to Boxer’s passing and
We are born clean, with the best of the feelings "love," watching with a look of illusion, eventful life. Over time the society, culture and our own experiences pollute our life, influencing the way we think. In the short story “Going to Meet the Man” by James Baldwin, tells the story of Jesses an impotent white sheriff, whose one night his arousal awakened when he remembered the day his father took him to watch the torture and murder of a black man, at the age of eight. “Going to Meet the Man” demonstrates how humans are not born racist and evil, but it behavior and thought develops after significant childhood events.
“…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13) As it says in the Bible, we wish to be led astray from evil. However, evil is a very curious subject. For most intensive purposes, evil can be described as cruel, heinous, and unnecessary punishment. Evil is a relatively accepted concept in the world today, although it is not completely understood. Evil is supposedly all around us, and at all times. It is more often than not associated with a figure we deem Satan. Satan is said to be a fallen angel, at one point God’s favorite. Supposedly Satan tries to spite God by influencing our choices, and therefore our lives. However, this presents a problem: The Problem of Evil. This argues against the existence of God. Can God and evil coexist?
Just like Stalin, the pig found it easier to instill his rules and principles if the a Jamal's feared him. Napoleon raised a small army of dogs (which represent Stalin’s secret police) to maintain a level of power that only fear can provide. The pure intimidating the animals felt was depicted vividly by Orwell, writing, “Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn. In a moment the dogs came bounding back…Though not yet full-grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves” (53). The animals had no choice but to cower in fear to this new militant-like force that would punish them for any mistake. Since he head the power of fear in his hands, Napoleon (like Stalin) was able to use propaganda and manipulation to completely win over the animals. He did whatever he wanted, and convicted the animals it was all for the god of the farm. Even more, he would give them a common goal (the windmill) to distract them from tall the corruption on the farm, and unite them. A major factor of his manipulation was scapegoating Snowball, as Stalin did with Trotsky, to divert all negative feelings toward someone else. The most important example of this is when the windmill was knocked over, and Napoleon tells the animals, “Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity, thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his
Since the dawn of modern civilization the terms good and evil have been used to describe the world and the various things within it. Things ranging from the concepts of the Devil, to the kid the cut in front you in the lunch line in the third grade, evil can be defined in many ways, however, evil is generally defined as something that goes against a single set of moral principles that society has defined. This is not true because evil is something that an individual perceives that they believe will cause them harm and goes against their individual moral beliefs, not some universal concept accepted by everyone.
It is simple for Napoleon and the pigs to do what they please since most of the farm animals are not smart enough to understand what they are actually doing. One way the pigs ensure the farm animals do not understand is by using words or phrases they cannot comprehend. This is shown when the pigs are explaining the commandments to the animals. The animals “did not understand Snowball’s long words, but they accepted his explanation” (Orwell 34). The animals are unable or unwilling to question the authority, and instead they put their blind trust into the leaders. This allows the leaders to easily distort Old Major’s original ideas to something that caters only to the pigs, and the farm animals do not even realize it. In a way the farm animals are like children watching a commercial. The advertisers put forth large words and phrases the children will most likely not understand such as, “some assembly required” (Mayer). The children in return do not question the advertisement, instead they see the commercial as truthful and are persuaded by false expectations to buy the product. The advertising companies and the pigs both exploit their viewers or animals limited knowledge to persuade them to do what they
Throughout Animal Farm there are many examples of propaganda. The pigs, such as Napoleon and Squealer used different propaganda tactics to appease the animals. Unbeknownst to the animals they were being tricked into working like slaves. In a democracy such as Animal Farm the animals should have had a say in what goes on. Since, the animals were unable to learn they were not able to think for themselves and come up with good solutions. When the animals were unable to think, learn and read they fell for the pigs tricks and were not able to see what was really going on.
Old Major chose a poor time to launch a rebellion. The dogs showed little care for the outcome of their pups’ upbringing. The hens’ independence could be seen as a bad action to the taking over of the farm. If the sheep were genetically smarter the story’s course could have been changed. Boxer’s tolerance of the pigs could have been a factor leading to his death. Benjamin’s negligence could have been the downfall of the farm. Lastly the remaining pigs selfishness is a contribution leading to the worse then average life of the farm animals. All these animals were responsible for the pigs’ dictatorship.
Later on in the book is when the pigs really start to receive treatment that no other animals get. For example, on page 99 it says, “when a pig and any other animal meet on a path, the other animal must step aside.” Page 104 says, “there was a schoolhouse built for the pigs.” The pigs are teaching the younger pigs that they are of higher power. They want to remain higher than all of the other animals. Another time is when Napoleon sends Boxer to a slaughterhouse but tells all the animals that he was sent to a doctor. Squealer convinces them that Boxer died peacefully and uses ethos and pathos when he says that Boxers last words were: “Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right.” Squealer tells them this because many of the animals look up to Boxer so they will follow his words. One of the Seven Commandments was: Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. On page 117, the pigs walk out of the the farmhouse on their hind legs. Yet not one animal speaks up because they are now all terrified. The next day, all pigs who are supervising are carrying whips. Still, not one animal speaks because no one wants to be killed. In the end, the pigs end up being just like the humans, they are the enemy too. The animals never put a stop to this because they were always told that this needed to happen if they did
In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, a main theme is that power corrupts those who possess it. A definition of corruption is,“dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.” Orwell develops this idea through the character Napoleon in various ways. Looking back in the book, the animal’s rebellion quickly turned political and revolved around, “Leader, Comrade Napoleon (Orwell 81)”. The power Napoleon possed was executed through lies and selfishness, aided by the lack of intellectual ability in the other animals. The corruption of Napoleon’s power is displayed when he favors himself, along with the other pigs, and eventually the dogs, who all get better rations of food compared to the other animals. Another main demonstration of how power corrupts Napoleon is how he separates himself from the other animals on the farm, displaying his feelings if superiority to the other animals. A ceremonial nature develops towards Napoleon. The last way power corrupts Napoleon is how he acts recklessly; killing other animals and lying about