Appunti di inglese - prof. Claudio Melle
Themes in Animal Farm
1) Corruption of Communist ideals in the Soviet Union
The fable is an allegory of the history of the Russian Revolution in which Trotsky is represented by Snowball, Stalin by Napoleon, the Soviet intelligentsia by the pigs as a ruling class and the common people by all the other animals. It shows the hypocrisy of the regime, its corruption, its violence against human beings as well as against ideals, language and logic itself.
This corruption is made possible through:
Simplification, propaganda and abuse of language
(how the elite class abuses language to control the lower classes)
Slogans:
“Four legs good, two legs bad.”
which eventually becomes:
“Four legs good, two legs better.”
and preludes to the final paradox:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
“All men are enemies. All animals are comrades”
“The only good human being is a dead one.”
"Vote for Snowball and the three-day week"
"Vote for Napoleon and the full manger."
Slogans are inevitably simplistic as they reduce complexity to commonplace ideas, they are at the core of propaganda and violate the rules of a language and often logic itself.
Slogans initially seem to help the animals understand but soon enough their real potential is grasped, that is suffocating any dissenting opinion. The sheep are taught to bleat a slogan at crucial moments so to silence anyone who might have a different opinion.
The use of slogans in political campaigns or elections is a reference to the present and may be seen at play during the campaigns which support political candidates or economic trends or policies.
Some examples are: America first, meno tasse per tutti, aiutiamoli a casa loro, colpirne uno per educarne cento, prima gli italiani, scegli il cambiamento, Arbeit macht frei, better dead than red, etc.
(Traduzione: Lo slogan sembra inizialmente aiutare gli animali a capire ma presto se ne coglie il vero potenziale che è quello di soffocare qualsiasi opinione dissenziente. Infatti le pecore vengono addestrate a dovere ed al momento giusto viene orchestrato il loro intervento con l’unico scopo di mettere a tacere chi la pensa in modo diverso. Il riferimento all’attualità può essere visto nell’uso degli slogan utilizzati nelle campagne politiche o di stampa dirette a sostenere i vari gruppi di potere politico o economico.
Esempi di slogan: America first, meno tasse per tutti, aiutiamoli a casa loro, colpirne uno per educarne cento, prima gli italiani, scegli il cambiamento, Arbeit macht frei, better dead than red, ecc.)
Simplification
“Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.”
Manipulation through language. Lies and dialectics from politicians
“Comrades!' he cried. 'You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.”
vedi le similitudini con il fatto realmente accaduto in cui un ministro della repubblica Italiana sosteneva di non sapere chi gli aveva pagato casa https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/03/11/casa-scajola-le-motivazioni-dellassoluzione-era-inconsapevole/909689/
oppure:
vedi anche: https://www.today.it/politica/pace-fiscale-condono-di-maio.html
Politics of fear (strategia della paura)
“Surely, comrades, you don’t want Jones back?” paragona a: http://time.com/4665755/donald-trump-fear/ oppure: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/donald-trump-and-the-politics-of-fear/498116/
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Politics_of_fear
2) Tendency to class stratification in modern societies
Animal Farm seems to point out a natural tendency either to maintain or re-establish rigid class structures. Probably drawing from Macchiavelli, it seems emphasise that when a common enemy is eliminated, a society loses its unity and becomes fragmented by many contrasting interests. It also emphasizes that unity is an idealized concept and, in fact, individual interests are often at the basis of internal divisions.
Another aspect is the division between intellectual and physical labour, between “brainworkers” and proletarians (in a totalitarian regime) or between the ruling class and the consumers (if the concept is applied to western society).
It is not clear, however, whether Orwell thinks that class division is a human tendency or a contingent account of the Russian revolution. In any case, Animal Farm shows the power of this tendency towards class division in human communities and the danger it poses to freedom and democracy.
An important part is played by the dogs which represent the armed forces and belong to a class enjoying considerable privilege.
3) The danger of ignorance, resignation, indifference, lack of interest, homogenisation, lack of a historical perspective, inexperience and naivety.
Orwell shows how oppression does not just come from the ruling class but also from the stupidity and naivety of the oppressed. The oppressed animals are gullible mainly because they are ignorant. They cannot but believe what Squealer reports or explains, they do not remember what it was like when Jones was there, they cannot read and interpret reality, (Boxer, Clover, etc.) they can’t tell the difference between a veterinary doctor and a slaughterer (Clover). There is also he who understands and can read (Benjamin) but being totally resigned, actually contributes to tyranny. Some animals show a total lack of interest (the Cat, Molly and Boxer himself in some cases) others a subservience to the regime (the sheep, the ducks).
Ignorance and politics
“Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. He set his ears back, shook his forelock several times, and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end, he could not think of anything to say.”
Il popolo non è abituato all’esercizio dell’analisi, della sintesi e della rielaborazione. L’istruzione ricevuta è stata, nel migliore dei casi, caratterizzata da esercizi di tipo mnemonico e mai interpretativo cosicché davanti al sopruso, non riescono ad articolare una argomentazione che supporti la loro protesta.
People’s attitude to politicians (lack of analysis of rhetoric)
“The animals listened first to Napoleon, then to Snowball, and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed, they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment.”
Historical revisionism
Squealer succeeds in re-writing and amending the seven commandments without any opposition from the animals.
Idealistic vs war-like attitudes
According to Snowball, they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms. The one (Napoleon) argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered, the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves.
This position is also naïve as it underestimates the power of the military and overestimates ideology and idealism. It is only after the escape of Snowball that things start to get worse.
Use of the army by a dictator
“Though not yet full-grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to Napoleon. It was noticed (impersonal construction) that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr. Jones.”
4) The abuse of language allows the abuse of power
abuse of language
"some are more equals than others"
examples: "obbligo flessibile" (https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/08/09/news/https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/08/09/news/obbligo_flessibile_vaccini-203751218/-203751218/)
preventiva war>
Characterisation
Boxer
Diligent: Boxer is known for his hard work and diligence.
Loyal: He is fiercely loyal to the cause and to Napoleon, despite the changing circumstances.
Gullible: Boxer's loyalty makes him vulnerable to exploitation.
Napoleon
Scheming: Napoleon is depicted as a cunning and manipulative character.
Authoritarian: As the story progresses, Napoleon becomes increasingly autocratic, consolidating power on the farm.
Deceptive: He often uses propaganda and manipulation to control the other animals
Snowball:
Intellectual: Snowball is portrayed as a more thoughtful and intellectual character. Idealistic: He initially believes in the ideals of Animalism and envisions a utopian society for the animals.
Charismatic: Snowball is charismatic and persuasive, especially in his speeches.
Squealer:
Persuasive: Squealer is skilled at using language to manipulate and persuade the other animals.
Sly: He employs cunning tactics to justify the actions of the pigs and maintain control.
Manipulative: Squealer uses misinformation and propaganda to control the narrative
Old Major:
Inspiring: Old Major inspires the animals to rebel against their human oppressors.
Visionary: He has a vision of a society free from human exploitation.
Eloquent: Old Major delivers a powerful and persuasive speech that sets the revolution in motion
Benjamin:
Cynical: Benjamin is portrayed as a cynical and pessimistic character.
Skeptical: He remains skeptical about the revolution's potential to bring lasting change.
Intelligent: Benjamin is one of the more intelligent animals on the farm.
Clover:
Motherly: Clover is depicted as a motherly figure who cares deeply for the other animals.
Compassionate: She shows compassion and concern for the well-being of her fellow animals.
Observant: Clover is observant and notices the changes on the farm but may lack the ability to challenge them actively.
The Cat:
Aloof: The cat is often portrayed as aloof and indifferent to the political changes on the farm.
Opportunistic: The cat tends to take advantage of situations that benefit it, rather than aligning with any particular ideology.
Survivalist: The cat seems focused on self-preservation and avoiding involvement in the conflicts and struggles of the farm.
Mollie:
Vain: Mollie is characterized by her vanity and preoccupation with personal adornment.
Materialistic: She is concerned with luxury and comfort, particularly her ribbons and sugar.
Fickle (volubile): Mollie is easily swayed (influenzata) and is ultimately swayed by the human indulgences she desires.
Other important quotations:
A FEW days later, when the terror caused by the executions had died down, some of the animals remembered - or thought they remembered - that the Sixth Commandment decreed "No animal shall kill any other animal." And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs, it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment, and when Benjamin, as usual, said that he refused to meddle in such matters, she fetched Muriel. Muriel read the Commandment for her. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause." Somehow or other, the last two words had slipped out of the animals' memory. But they saw now that the Commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was good reason for killing the traitors who had leagued themselves with Snowball.
On Sunday mornings Squealer, holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter, would read out to them lists of figures proving that the production of every class of foodstuff had increased by two hundred per cent, three hundred per cent, or five hundred per cent, as the case might be. The animals saw no reason to disbelieve him, especially as they could no longer remember very clearly what conditions had been like before the Rebellion. All the same, there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food.
"Under the guidance of our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, I have laid five eggs in six days"; or two cows, enjoying a drink at the pool, would exclaim, "Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes!"
The animals now also learned that Snowball had never - as many of them had believed hitherto - received the order of "Animal Hero First Class." This was merely a legend which had been spread some time after the Battle of the Cowshed by Snowball himself. So far from being decorated, he had been censured for showing cowardice in the battle. Once again some of the animals heard this with a certain bewilderment, but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault.
"What is that gun firing for?" said Boxer. "To celebrate our victory!" cried Squealer. "What victory?" said Boxer. His knees were bleeding, he had lost a shoe and split his hoof, and a dozen pellets had lodged themselves in his hind leg. "What victory, comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? " "But they have destroyed the windmill. And we had worked on it for two years!"
About this time, too, it was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path, the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs, of whatever degree, were to have the privilege of wearing green ribbons on their tails on Sundays. Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration, the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm