All Animals are equals!

Animal Farm is a novel written by George Orwell that was published in 1945. In a similar way as it happens in 1984, Orwell shows us in this novel some of the negative features of totalitarian regimes --though in a different way than he does in the novel that we covered in class--.

First of all, unlike what happens in 1984, the characters in Animal Farm actually organize themselves to take over the totalitarian regime they were into, which –originally—was imposed by humans. This main difference, taking place at the beginning of the novel, somehow gives room to the possibility that though these two novels Orwell gives us the chance to ponder two possible answers to a totalitarian system.

On the one hand, in 1984, we are introduced to Winston, who is unable to oppose his system because of his isolation of any socio-political power that could back him up. On the other hand, in Animal Farm,  this social organization is present –originally through the idealistic Major, then from Snowball and finally through Napoleon—however, it is this organization which –as the story moves forward—actually creates a new totalitarian system that is at least as bad as the one previously oppressed their society: up to the point that the pigs even start dressing and acting like humans, while imposing themselves as superiors to the other animals in the farm.

“All animals are equals!” was a key principle mentioned by the wise pig Major at the very beginning of the novel; however,--as the story kept moving—it steadily changed into “All animals are equals... but some animals are more equal than others” after Napoleon became the leader of the farm. I strongly believe that it is at this point when we can strongly make a connection between Animal Farm and 1984.  

What would have happened if Winston had been able to gather enough people to effectively oppose and take over the system that oppressed him? I believe that Orwell gives a potential answer to this question in Animal Farm.  What would have happened if only one or two pigs would have been the only ones against the totalitarian system they were into because of the humans at the beginning of the story? I believe Orwell gives us a potential answer to this question in 1984.

All in all, I believe that –through these two novels-- George Orwell wants us to realize that absolute power could corrupt even the best of us. Additionally, I consider that he also wants to share the view that humanity is inherently good –despite the terrible circumstances we could be into—and that despite society gradually corrupts us, there will always be at least one character –or a few of them-- who will be aware of a higher truth than the one an imposing system will try to show all of us every day.

How do you see the connection between these two novels? Do you know any other examples in fiction in which some characters have to oppose an oppressing regime like in these 2 Orwell’s novels?       

Reference

Orwell, George. "Animal Farm (1945)." CLASSIC (2009): 97.