What Were The Seven Commandments In Animal Farm

What Were the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm? A Deep Dive into Orwell's Allegory

George Orwell's Animal Farm is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution, using animals on a farm to represent historical figures and events. Central to the narrative are the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the guiding principles of the animals' revolution. These commandments, initially designed to establish equality and freedom, are gradually twisted and manipulated by the pigs, mirroring the corruption and totalitarian control that followed the initial promise of the Russian Revolution. Understanding these commandments and their evolution is crucial to grasping the novel's overarching message.

The Original Seven Commandments of Animalism

The Seven Commandments, etched onto the barn wall, were the bedrock of Animalism, the ideology espoused by Old Major, the wise old boar who inspires the revolution. They represented the animals' aspirations for a just and egalitarian society, free from human oppression. Here's a look at the original commandments:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. This commandment directly targeted the human farmers, the oppressors of the animals.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. This commandment defined the animals' allies, establishing a clear distinction between friends and enemies.
3. No animal shall wear clothes. This was a symbolic rejection of human civilization and its perceived artificiality.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. This aimed to prevent the animals from adopting human comforts and luxuries.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol. Alcohol was seen as a human vice that impaired judgment and clouded reason.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal. This ensured peace and cooperation among the animals themselves.
7. All animals are equal. This was the fundamental principle of Animalism, the cornerstone of their utopian vision.

The Gradual Corruption of the Commandments

As the pigs, led by Napoleon, consolidate their power, the Seven Commandments undergo a subtle yet significant transformation. This manipulation is crucial to the novel's portrayal of how easily ideals can be subverted and how power can corrupt. The changes aren't abrupt; they're gradual, almost imperceptible at first, allowing the animals to slowly accept the pigs' increasing dominance.

The alteration of the commandments is a masterclass in propaganda and manipulation. Napoleon utilizes Squealer, his eloquent propagandist, to justify each change, using clever rhetoric and appeals to the animals' limited understanding to convince them that the revisions are for their own good.

The Transformation of the Commandments: A Step-by-Step Analysis

Let's examine the specific changes and their implications:

The Changing Definition of "Enemy"

The first commandment, "Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy," is strategically altered to benefit the pigs. Initially, this was a clear-cut directive against humans. However, as the pigs become increasingly human-like, this commandment becomes problematic for their own position. Therefore, it is subtly modified, first by the addition of a small clause; later it is completely rewritten to suit their needs. The pigs start walking on two legs, justifying it by claiming they are simply doing important work that requires bipedal movement. This demonstrates how easily absolute statements can be manipulated to suit a power structure's interests.

The Ambiguity of "Friend"

The second commandment, "Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend," is similarly affected, becoming less relevant as the pigs increasingly resemble humans. They cease to fit the definition of friend, and it is conveniently ignored in the context of their actions. The other animals, mostly lacking intelligence and lacking critical thinking skills, readily accept this shift.

The Pig's Clothing and Luxury

The commandments forbidding the wearing of clothes and sleeping in beds are the most blatant examples of the pigs' hypocrisy. Initially, "No animal shall wear clothes" and "No animal shall sleep in a bed" clearly forbid these human traits. But the pigs begin by sleeping in beds, then wearing clothes, finally flaunting their lavish lifestyle, justifying these actions by arguing that beds are not necessarily inherently human (it depends on what constitutes a bed), and similar explanations for clothes. These actions, initially scandalous, become normalized through propaganda and the animals' acquiescence, showcasing the erosion of the initial principles.

Alcohol and Murder: The Erosion of Morality

The commandment against drinking alcohol, "No animal shall drink alcohol," is also broken. The pigs discover the joys of alcohol and its usefulness for dulling the animals' awareness of their own subjugation. This alteration signifies the abandonment of moral principles for the pursuit of pleasure and power.

The prohibition against killing other animals, "No animal shall kill any other animal," is subverted when the pigs ruthlessly eliminate opponents and maintain control through fear and violence. This highlights the hypocrisy at the core of the pigs' regime, where the principles of equality and fraternity are replaced by oppression and bloodshed.

The Final Perversion: The Single Commandment

The ultimate perversion of the Seven Commandments is their reduction to a single, simple, and easily manipulated statement: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This ironic and paradoxical statement perfectly encapsulates the pigs' totalitarianism. It embodies the pigs' ability to maintain the appearance of adhering to the original principle of equality while simultaneously justifying their absolute rule and the vast inequalities within Animal Farm. This alteration demonstrates the complete corruption of Animalism and the triumph of totalitarian rule.

The Significance of the Commandments' Degradation

The changing commandments serve as a powerful symbol of the novel's central themes:

• The Corruption of Power: The pigs' gradual and calculated manipulation of the commandments highlights how easily power can corrupt, even seemingly noble ideals.
• The Dangers of Propaganda: Squealer's skill in twisting language and manipulating the animals' perceptions showcases the danger of propaganda and its ability to subvert truth.
• The Importance of Critical Thinking: The animals' failure to question the pigs' actions and the alterations to the commandments underscores the importance of critical thinking and vigilance against those in power.
• The Fragility of Utopian Ideals: The collapse of Animalism and the perversion of its ideals illustrate the inherent fragility of utopian visions and the difficulty of maintaining equality and justice in the face of power struggles.

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm are more than just a set of rules; they are a microcosm of the revolution's trajectory, a powerful symbol of the betrayal of ideals, and a warning against the dangers of unchecked power and blind acceptance. Their evolution serves as a chilling reminder of the ease with which even the most noble intentions can be twisted and corrupted, leading to the establishment of a totalitarian regime that resembles, in many ways, the very system the revolution sought to overthrow. The commandments' transformation is not only a narrative device; it is the heart of Orwell's cautionary tale.