Animal Farm A Study in the Relation Between Power Structures and the Fundamental Right to Freedom
It has been widely acknowledged that George Orwell wrote Animal Farmwith the express purpose of indicting Communism as a solution to socialproblems. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union it can, therefore, beargued that the work has lost its relevance, except perhaps, as achildren's fable. To write the novel off in such a fashion would, however,be a mistake because a closer examination of the plot structure and thecaricatures of various characters will reveal that the work has a timelessrelevance. Indeed, if one were to disregard any preconception that AnimalFarm should be interpreted as a satire on Communist Russia, it can beargued that the novel's main purpose is to highlight the negative effectsof power structures in terms of suppressing and exploiting the weakersections of society. The abuse of power, as a central theme, is especiallyapparent in the manner in which the characters of Boxer and Mollie areportrayed. Although the two possess diametrically opposite personalities,they share one thing in common and that is, they both reveal an inherentweakness, which ends up being exploited by the powers-that-be. Thus, it canbe said that the characters of both Boxer and Mollie are used by Orwell
Indeed, it issignificant that Orwell has chosen a work horse to represent the millionsof working class people who toil for a daily living while dreaming of abetter future for their children, if not themselves. By laying such emphasis, Old Major ends uppropagating the perpetuation of a social structure that respects onlymaterial well-being and the ability to facilitate the creation of wealth. Boxer's exploitation by the pigs-in-power also serves to suggest thatOrwell was perhaps making a comment on the fact that generosity, devotion,and a desire for harmony will always be manipulated and exploited byvarious power factions of society to serve their own purpose. However, if viewed from theperspective that she was simply a non-conformist who did not subscribe tothe values of the other animals, it becomes apparent that the powerstructure depended on absolute compliance to assure its sovereignty. But, instead, he chooses tofurther mirror real life by demonstrating how people in power can evenexploit the death of someone. Orwell could well have closed thechapter on Boxer's part of the story here. 38)When this happens, he is instantly contrite and paws the inert body ingrief. For suchexploitation is known to exist even in the most advanced, democratic ofnations. The only good human being is a dead one. Therefore, any sign of rebelliousness had to be quelled immediately. 75-76) Finally, age and a lifetime of hard labor takes its toll on Boxer andhe increasingly becomes ill. Forced into a way oflife that she soon comes to abhor, Mollie finally leaves after she iscondemned for allowing herself to be petted by a human she encounters onthe farm's outskirts, and for hiding sugar and ribbons under the straw inher stall.
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Acceptance Essays
