Analysis Of The Seven Commandments In Animal Farm

A similar technique is also seen in Animal Farm with the “Seven Commandments.” At the start of the revolution, the pigs create a series of commandments or rules the animals should follow. After Snowball is banished and over time, the commandments are morphed into what the pigs think make better sense. The commandments get interpreted to fit the pigs’ desires. The novel gives a create example: It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of “Leader”) to live in a house than in a mere sty. Nevertheless, some of the animals were disturbed when they heard that the pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing- room as a recreation room, but also slept in the beds. (69)

However, the other animals did not know how to read so the pigs changed the commandment slightly no one questioned it. The reason why no one questioned it is a whole other issue of control. In the article, “Animal Satire in Animal Farm”, Alev Yemenici says, “They [animals] prefer to depend on what Squealer tells them and to believe in his propaganda since they are incapable of sorting the truth from the lie.” The animals depended on the pigs because they felt the pigs were their only way to a happy, free life. Unfortunately, the pigs took advantage of the animals’