Can animals really talk? How about taking over a farm and managing it, all by themselves? The Animal Farm, by George Orwell is sure to throw these questions to the wind ! A timeless classic, the work really needs no introduction. First published in 1945, the book holds lessons that are as relevant today. At the very outset, I do not intend to give a review about the book. Rather, I would endeavour to share the experience I had with the book in the course of my reading.
The animals at the Manor Farm decide to get rid of their uncaring owner Mr. Jones and have the farm all for themselves. In a flutter of fiery activity, men of the farm are chased out and the era of the ‘Beasts of England’ is proclaimed. ‘The Animal Farm’ – one created for the animals, by the animals, and of the animals is proudly proclaimed. The Seven Commandments are laid down by the pigs, whose leader Napoleon proclaims himself as the head of the farm. Efforts are made to increase the harvest, build a windmill and to make the ‘self-rule’ famous, far and wide. The billion dollar question is, will the animals succeed? [No spoilers, for now].
While the storyline almost bespeaks of an unrealistic tale [for instance, the animals gathering together to discuss dreams’] the message the work holds cannot be more realistic. There are several deep lines in the book. For instance, Old Major, the white boar speaks of man thus – ‘Man is the only creature that consumes without producing’. Well, the truth in the statement is a direct challenge to our merciless exploitation of natural resources. Further, Major goes on, ‘Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove man and the root cause of hunger is abolished for ever’. At this point, one strongly feels that this would be what out four-legged friends would say about us, if given an opportunity. Are we really just to our four legged earthlings ?
At this point dearest readers, watch out for spoilers !
So, the farm takes off in style. The harvest is record and the animals are on cloud nine, now that they are finally their own masters. They work hard, getting the hay in, with the pigs directing them at each point. No one raises a doubt when the pigs get for themselves, a greater share of apples. For, they were the brain of the farm ! They had to be kept in good health.
Slow and steady, critics are dealt with; fiery speeches are made to lift the spirits of the unsuspecting animals. Then, the commandments are changed, trade is done with the humans and the farm swerves to the tune of its leaders- the pigs. Not one animal raises its voice. Seasons and years pass. The old days are forgotten and the farm is ‘prosperous’.
Here, the irony strikes you hard. The animals rejoice in being ‘privileged’ members of the only ‘free’ farm. But how real is the freedom? Is there freedom is blindly obeying orders, when you assume that it is for the greater good? Or, in singing out – ‘Comrade is always right!’ Where is freedom when the leaders of the farm, conceived to free the animal word from ‘two-legged creatures’, themselves trot on two legs ? Can it be that the reality is twisted to the whims of the pigs in power ? Is there freedom in believing the reality set by another ?
Difficult questions. But the book is sure to stir the mind of any conscious citizen. It captures beautifully the vitality of dissent, the danger of blind submission before power and the depths to which a society can be drawn when leadership is not held accountable.
The parting words of the book strike you deep. The scene is a party hosted by the pigs to celebrate a deal with the humans. ‘The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which’. That is what happens when the people lose their vigilance. Leaders become tyrants, perhaps, even the best of them.
Let us all be vigilant 🙂
©Anakha K Vijay. All rights reserved
The Dream Catcher 