Another example of the pigs making decisions without consulting the other animals is when the pigs steal the milk and apples. The pigs put themselves above the rest of the animals so they can get what they want. On page 22 in the Longman version and page in Penguin; it reads,”Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples contain substances absolutely necessary to the well being of pigs. We pigs are brain-workers. The whole management and organization of this farm depends on us”. All of which implies that they are the only reason that the farm has not been taken over by Mr Jones once more.
Also it is the pigs that decide upon the final line up of commandments, not anyone else. There was no vote just a decision. It states on page 15 in both Longman and Penguin, “The pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments”.
4. By the pigs continually bending and breaking the “All animals are equal” commandment we can tell about their character that they are dictators, greedy, selfish and believe that they are better and more worthy of power and control over the farm than anyone else due to their superior intelligence over the rest of the animals. Domineering personalities take advantage of the other hardworking and diligent animals of the farm. The pig’s motives are not of Animalism, but of pure superiority over everything in their reach, which is the farm. Their plans for the future are of the farm being run by them, but all the hard work being done by the other animals of the farm. They want the farm to be the most profitable out of the farms, particularly those run be Pilkington and Frederick.
An example of the pigs urge for superiority is evident particularly between Snowball and Napoleon. When they present their speeches about campaigns they are very competitive. When Napoleon knows that Snowball has the upper hand in speeches, leading to Snowball to be in power, Napoleon exiles him from the farm with the savage force of nine dogs, which nearly kill him. This happens on pages 32 – 33 in the Longman version and on pages in the Penguin version.
5. After the exile of Snowball, during Sunday ceremony, the pigs and dogs are on the platform and everyone else is on the ground. This is an image which portrays the hierarchy of the farm; pigs and dogs at the top, and the other animals at the bottom.
Squealer explanation for the reasoning behind the events was that Snowball “…was a dangerous character and a bad influence” and called Napoleons change of heart over the windmill “Tactics”,
“The animals were not certain what the word meant but Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they accepted his explanation without further question”.
This happens on pages 36 – 37 in the Longman version and pages
38 - 39 in the Penguin version.
This pattern of questioning from the other animals then being silenced by Squealers persuasive reasoning, and a mixture of fear from the savage dog’s capability of killing them violently, silences all of the animal’s doubts and any chance of revolting against the tyrant Napoleon occurs time and time again. If only they pushed on questioning the pigs they would be free from Napoleons rule, but it doesn’t happen.
6. The wording of the Commandment on the barn wall is altered to allow for the pig’s corruption from “All animals are Equal” to “All animals are Equal but some Animals are more Equal than others”. This change occurs in chapter 10 page 83 in the Longman version and page 90 in the Penguin version.
7. Further evidence related to the reason behind the commandment can be found on page 5 in the Longman version and page in the Penguin version.
It states, “Never listen when they tell you that man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies.”
This paragraph, from Old Majors speech, is where the commandment originates. The message from this part of his speech indicates the possible outcome of dictatorship that may arise among the animals if the rebellion is a success. Old Major is warning them that the rebellion will bring conflict and if they are to make it a success they must always be united as one in a democracy and oppose any kind of control. Also in the event that dictatorship does take place on the farm, everything they say will benefit them in someway and will lie to get the others support.
