Animal Farm : Human Nature in Animals
Human nature in animals. Was this really shown in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’? In fact, there were several messages about human nature reflected in ’Animal Farm’. The messages that were expressed through many different characters and their behaviours, gave an insight into human nature, and showed many characteristics of it.
The idea of equality “all animals are equal” and socialism would make an ideal society. It would be effective on Animal Farm if it were not for the pigs’ hunger for power or human nature. In Animal Farm, Old Major suggests rebellion, and becoming a place where all is equal. Napoleon and Snowball tried to take action and make this idea a reality. Napoleon seized power and what was going to be a place of equality became a place where the animals were overworked. Some of the animals became aware of this, like Clover but others, such as Boxer did not and continued to say “Napoleon is always right” because Napoleon taught the animals to believe he was helping them. It shows that human nature, such as hunger for power, affects everyone and affects societies where socialism and equality is being strived for.
Another aspect of human nature shown in Animal Farm is ignorance. This aspect was shown in the book through characters such as Boxer. ‘Boxer wasn’t of first rate intelligence’ and when Napoleon started seizing power Boxer established two mottos, “Napoleon is always right” and “I will work harder”. By Boxer firmly believing this, and making the mottos well known, other animals followed his beliefs and admired him, wanting themselves to be more like him. These animals and Boxer gave Napoleon the satisfaction of controlling the farm. The animals that believed that ‘whatever Napoleon says must be right’ were ignorant and could not see what was really happening to the farm. The human nature that animals like Boxer showed only encouraged Napoleon to continue what he was doing, it shows that ignorance is not bliss and that ignorant people
The idea of equality “all animals are equal” and socialism would make an ideal society. It would be effective on Animal Farm if it were not for the pigs’ hunger for power or human nature. In Animal Farm, Old Major suggests rebellion, and becoming a place where all is equal. Napoleon and Snowball tried to take action and make this idea a reality. Napoleon seized power and what was going to be a place of equality became a place where the animals were overworked. Some of the animals became aware of this, like Clover but others, such as Boxer did not and continued to say “Napoleon is always right” because Napoleon taught the animals to believe he was helping them. It shows that human nature, such as hunger for power, affects everyone and affects societies where socialism and equality is being strived for.
Another aspect of human nature shown in Animal Farm is ignorance. This aspect was shown in the book through characters such as Boxer. ‘Boxer wasn’t of first rate intelligence’ and when Napoleon started seizing power Boxer established two mottos, “Napoleon is always right” and “I will work harder”. By Boxer firmly believing this, and making the mottos well known, other animals followed his beliefs and admired him, wanting themselves to be more like him. These animals and Boxer gave Napoleon the satisfaction of controlling the farm. The animals that believed that ‘whatever Napoleon says must be right’ were ignorant and could not see what was really happening to the farm. The human nature that animals like Boxer showed only encouraged Napoleon to continue what he was doing, it shows that ignorance is not bliss and that ignorant people