Animal Farm: Decoding the 7 Commandments! [Explained]

George Orwell’s allegorical novella, Animal Farm, presents power dynamics within a farm setting. The Russian Revolution serves as the historical backdrop to Orwell’s critique of totalitarianism. Core to the story are the animal farm 7 commandments which initially represent the principles of Animalism. These commandments, a cornerstone of their utopian vision, are eventually distorted by Napoleon’s manipulative leadership, revealing a cautionary tale about the corruption of ideals.

Image taken from the YouTube channel Fictional Journeys , from the video titled What Are the 7 Commandments of Animal Farm? – Fictional Journeys .

Crafting the Ideal Article Layout: Decoding the Animal Farm 7 Commandments!

To create an engaging and informative article on the "animal farm 7 commandments," a structured layout is crucial. The goal is to guide the reader through the topic logically, unpacking the meaning and significance of each commandment within the context of Orwell’s allegorical novella.

I. Introduction: Setting the Stage for Understanding

The introduction should immediately grab the reader’s attention and establish the article’s purpose.

• Hook: Start with a compelling opening, perhaps a quote from Animal Farm related to the commandments or a brief, intriguing statement about their importance.
• Context: Briefly introduce Animal Farm as an allegorical critique of the Russian Revolution and totalitarianism. State that the seven commandments are central to understanding the book’s themes.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state the article’s aim: to decode and explain the seven commandments, exploring their original intent and subsequent manipulation. Mention the keyword "animal farm 7 commandments" naturally within this statement. For example: "This article will delve into the ‘animal farm 7 commandments,’ analyzing their initial idealistic principles and the disturbing ways in which they are distorted to serve the pigs’ increasingly oppressive regime."
• Roadmap (Optional): Briefly outline the structure of the article, telling the reader what to expect (e.g., "We will examine each commandment individually, discuss its significance, and trace its evolution throughout the story.").

II. The Original Intent: Idealism and Revolution

This section focuses on the establishment of the commandments and their intended purpose.

A. The Genesis of the Commandments

• Describe the context of the commandments’ creation. Highlight Old Major’s speech and its influence on the animals.
• Explain how the commandments were conceived as a set of principles to prevent the animals from repeating the mistakes of their human oppressors.

B. Listing the Seven Commandments

• Present each of the seven commandments clearly and concisely. A numbered list or a table format is ideal.

  1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
  2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
  3. No animal shall wear clothes.
  4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
  5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
  6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
  7. All animals are equal.

C. Analyzing the Underlying Principles

• Explore the common themes running through the commandments. Discuss ideas of equality, freedom from oppression, and collective ownership.
• Analyze the implicit promises and expectations embedded within each commandment. For example, "No animal shall sleep in a bed" implies a commitment to a simple, egalitarian lifestyle free from the trappings of human luxury.

III. The Erosion of Ideals: Manipulation and Control

This section is the core of the article, detailing how the commandments are twisted and subverted by the pigs.

A. A Commandment-by-Commandment Analysis of Distortion

• Dedicate a subsection to each commandment, tracing its manipulation and the impact on the animals.

  • Example: "No animal shall drink alcohol"
    • Initial Meaning: Prohibition of human vices, symbolizing a break from their corrupt ways.
    • Distortion: Becomes "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."
    • Consequences: The pigs drink alcohol to excess, explaining it away with the altered commandment, further cementing their control.
    • Examples from the text: Cite specific passages where the commandment is broken and justified.

• For each commandment, consider including these elements:

  • The original commandment.
  • Its initial meaning and purpose.
  • How the pigs manipulate or change the commandment.
  • The consequences of this manipulation for the other animals.
  • Direct quotes from the book illustrating the change or its impact.

B. The Role of Squealer

• Discuss Squealer’s role as the chief propagandist and his skill in manipulating language to justify the pigs’ actions. Highlight his use of sophistry and doublespeak to convince the other animals that the commandments have not been broken or altered.

C. The Final Commandment: The Ultimate Betrayal

• Focus specifically on the evolution of "All animals are equal" into "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
• Explain how this change represents the complete collapse of the revolution’s original ideals and the pigs’ total dominance.
• Connect this final state to the book’s overall message about power, corruption, and the dangers of totalitarianism.

IV. Significance and Legacy: Beyond the Farm

This section broadens the scope, discussing the broader implications of the commandments and their relevance beyond the story.

A. Allegorical Meaning

• Explain how the manipulation of the commandments reflects the historical revisionism and propaganda used by totalitarian regimes.
• Connect the commandments to specific events and figures from the Russian Revolution and Stalinist Russia. For example, the changing of the commandments mirrors the way Stalin rewrote history to legitimize his rule.

B. Relevance Today

• Discuss how the themes explored through the animal farm 7 commandments remain relevant in contemporary society. Consider examples of political manipulation, inequality, and the abuse of power.
• Encourage readers to critically examine the language used by those in power and to be wary of attempts to distort or rewrite history.

V. Visual Enhancements

Throughout the article, consider incorporating visual elements to enhance engagement and understanding:

• Images: Use relevant illustrations from different editions of Animal Farm or photographs related to the Russian Revolution.
• Quotes: Highlight key quotes from the book in pull-out boxes or distinct formatting.

• Tables: Summarize the evolution of each commandment in a clear, concise table.

  For example:

  Commandment	Original Meaning	Distorted Meaning	Consequences
  No animal shall drink alcohol.	Abstinence from human vices	No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.	Pigs get drunk; creates a double standard, furthering inequality.
  All animals are equal.	Egalitarianism, shared benefits	All animals are equal, but some are more equal.	Systemic inequality; justification for pig privilege and oppression.

So there you have it – a deeper dive into the animal farm 7 commandments and what they really mean. Hopefully, you found that helpful! Always good to revisit classic stories and see what new insights they offer, right?