One major theme of George Orwell’s 1945 novel, Animal Farm, is that an uneducated populace is easily manipulated. Orwell believed the widespread ability to read, write, think, and speak was imperative to a healthy society. For Orwell, education is power and the best way to fight authoritarianism.
Boxer is perhaps the best example of this theme in action. Despite his best efforts to learn to read and write, he is unable to learn more than the first four letters of the alphabet. Hardworking but ignorant, Boxer is incapable of thinking for himself. When trying to recall the original precepts of Animalism, Boxer slowly determines, "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." He then creates a slogan, “Napoleon is always right,” to absolve himself of the responsibility to think. Had Boxer been able to read, write, and think for himself, he would likely have understood the subtle machinations of the pigs before he was sold to a glue factory.
Another primary example of the importance of education is the group of sheep. The sheep cannot read or write. They cannot learn the precepts of Animalism or memorize the seven commandments. However, they easily swallow the bite-sized mantra of “four legs good, two legs bad” and become tools of Napoleon’s regime to silence opposition. Examine this passage from chapter 6 of Animal Farm, when some young pigs protest Napoleon’s decision.
The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly, but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs. Then, as usual, the sheep broke into "Four legs good, two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.
The uneducated sheep were not only unable to oppose Napoleon’s slow take-over; they unsuspectingly became supporters of the pigs's tyranny.
Finally, the pigs themselves recognize the vital importance education plays in the maintenance of tyranny. Napoleon announces the “education of the young” is of the utmost importance and takes Bluebell and Jessie’s puppies into the loft of the barn for an education. Napoleon says that he will "make himself responsible for their education." When the pups emerge to chase Snowball from the farm, they are utterly loyal to Napoleon and serve as his muscle by enforcing his laws and threatening his opponents. The example of the dogs in Animal Farm demonstrates the power of education, even if it ends up in the wrong hands.
For Orwell, education is powerful. It can be used for good or evil. Orwell argues that a population must be educated to prevent the rise of totalitarianism.
A major theme in Animal Farm is the idea that power acts as a corrupting influence on certain individuals. Orwell demonstrates this most clearly through the pigs who begin as well-meaning leaders of the Revolution but quickly create a divide between themselves and the other animals. You can support this idea with the following quote from Chapter Three when it emerges that the pigs are getting better rations than the others, specifically in the form of milk and apples:
"We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples."
As the plot develops, Napoleon emerges as the clear leader of the pigs but only after running his rival, Snowball, off the farm in Chapter Five, following a violent display of his power. The following quote, spoken by Boxer in Chapter Five, demonstrates Napoleon's increasing power on the farm:
"Napoleon is always right."
By the final chapter of the book, the pigs' ascent to absolute power is complete. They dress differently to the others by wearing human clothes, drink alcohol and carry whips, a potent symbol of oppression. Their transformation is, perhaps, best summarised by the following quote:
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."
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