Prologue
Literary Essay: Analysis on Foreign Literature and Personal Connection
Higashi Yoshiro
Class 1-B
The story Animal Farm by George Orwell is one of the most iconic novels of the 20th century. Describing a farm whose animals rebel against their "cruel and unjust" owner, the book tells the cautionary tale of human imperfection and the death of equality. Throughout the story, the animals toil themselves endlessly, suffering sickness, death, and starvation, all for the profits of their human overlord. Upset and enraged by this harsh reality, the animals rally under a pig, Old Major, going into rebellion as they kick out the humans and establish a farm run by animals (hence the title). Haunted by the horrors of their mistreatment, the newly freed animals resolve to create a classless society, one in which every animal from the grandest stallion to the lowest mouse has an equal say.
Despite being seemingly supportive of the animals' goal of class and social equality at first glance, the novel, through its course, heavily lambasts such ideals. Starting with the death of Old Major and the rise of the greed filled pig (literally) Napoleon, as the book progresses, so does the degradation of the utopian dream the animals possess. It is my interpretation that the text, in fact, actually supports or at the very least, acknowledges the inevitability of a class based society- one in which status determines standing. Throughout the text, this message is shown clearly, particularly with Napoleon's rise to power. Hoarding food for himself and forcing the other animals to work, the pig uses cunning and manipulation to rise through ranks of society. Even though he is part of a system which actively enforces equality, Napoleon is able to, through his unmatched talent, ironically carve an unequaled position of power. In doing so, the novel illustrates a simple law of nature- those who are simply superior will rise to the top. No matter the obstacles or hindrances, the road to success can only be applied by a talented few. Representing the other animals besides Napoleon, the masses are incapable of leadership, of progress, and direction, relevant only due their numbers as they mindlessly follow Napoleon's whims at their own expense.
It is with this realization that I can positively conclude the overall theme of Animal Farm is one of inequality. Whether it be in appearance, physical strength, or intelligence, individuals are not equal. This fact is illustrated throughout the novel as the pigs, blessed with intelligence, begin to occupy top positions in the local social hierarchy of a supposedly "classless system." Simply born superior, by the laws of nature, the pigs take their rightful place at the forefront of the farm's leadership. Society, structured to be one of collective thought in the novel, is overwhelmingly ruled by ever so fleeting emotions and ignorance. It is only under the leadership of a select few (the pigs) that the farm is able to move in any sort of cohesive direction.Ironically enough, the sheep in the novel who so symbolically endlessly bleat the farm's doctrine can be found en masse in human form anywhere you go. Whether it be at local protests or rallies, only one thing is certain; there is one Shepherd for every few hundred sheep.
To me, Orwell's work has acted as an epiphany. Illustrating the natural workings of the world, it beautifully encapsules a key tenet of the human condition- that despite all of us sharing over 99.9% of the same genome, our differences are equivalent to that of different farm animals. No matter the species or group, there would always be those who are Napoleons and those who are Boxers. Humanity, for all its supposed uniqueness, is merely the same, similar to thousands, if not ten of thousands, of other species. To conclude, I leave you with this quote from famed sociologist Henry Fairchild, "No amount of artificial reinforcement can offset the natural inequalities of human individuals." Orwell's work displaying such disparity, thus highlights a key truth-that all men are not created equal.
6/25 Note to self: Read the actual book next time (No online summaries). Also make sure to find someone less controversial to quote.
6/30 Note to self: Pick a more obscure book next time! It appears that Imai-Sensei has referred me to the school counselor due to some apparent "personality issues". I'll have to do some serious bootlicking ...
7/02 Note to self: Imai-sensei finally gave back my paper. I failed the assignment. Apparently I lack a solid grasp on the "core themes." Stuck up Bitch, maybe I should lodge a complaint!