Animal Farm Quote Analysis

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Education is powerful tool that carves the way for viewing the world and solving problems. Countries like the U.S. forget how important schooling is to the development of well-rounded, analytical citizens. It takes a lack of knowledge and a growth of ignorance to foster mentality that doesn’t improve lifestyles or fortify freedoms. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, once linked education and sovereignty together by saying, “Only the educated are free.” His quote is strikingly valid, especially in the context of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Only those in possession of knowledge can be free as seen in Animal Farm when the animals demonstrate the incapacity to read, allow Napoleon to seize power by force, and watch the pigs gain more and more freedoms at the common animals’ expense.

After overthrowing a selfish ruler, the animals in Animal Farm are free from restrictions and unjust rules placed on them. The animals draft up commandments on the barn wall which prompts a need for literacy and education so everyone can contribute to their more sovereign way of life. Animal …show more content…

Once Napoleon seizes power by force, he initiates his propaganda campaign through Squealer to undermine Snowball’s credibility. If the animals were more educated and united their reading abilities, they could have learned through books or literary discussion to stand up together against Napoleon and defend the heroic Snowball, a war hero. Even when the animals Squealer with a paintbrush changing their commandments, they ignore the sight. Allegorically, Squealer represents the Pravda’s control by manipulating information. In most cases, only educated minds can offer sound counterarguments and plan rebellion plots. The animals lose their freedom through the loss of education and knowledge, proving directly the Epictetus’ quote is

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