March 13, 2009 2:06 PM
Animal Farm - Chapter One
Opening a book you read long ago is so intriguing: there's the familiar stuff but there's so much new - the layers you bring to the reading experience as you have grown and the culture around you has changed.
Reading Animal Farm at 60 - as a former radical leftist now more aghast each day at the avalanche of how-could-they-do-this news - I can only say that as my old compatriots are living large and we are living smaller and smaller, and as I watch the growing chasm between action and words, I wonder if this is the end of America as we've known it. I feel deep regret for any part I played in its downfall.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I wasn't a conservative the last time I read Animal Farm, and I wasn't a writer either. Now as I read, I am reading content but I am also seeing the craft. And the craftsmanship of Orwell is what makes this story work. Hearkening back to Aesop, Orwell chose the fable style to deliver his message against totalitarianism and political naivete. Do not be fooled by the simplicity of the narrative - it actually takes more skill to write lean than to write large. And to me it shows a respect for the common man to write in a style that is easily accessible to all.
The fable style is also what makes Animal Farm timeless. While Orwell may have been writing specifically about Stalin and Trotsky (Napoleon and Snowball), the truths about human nature - individually and collectively - can be seen reflected in society 63 years later, and probably as long as society continues to exist.
While I wish we could all be sitting together to discuss to discuss this - and have no idea how many will be joining us - I think going through the book chapter by chapter will give everyone a chance to contribute as we learn from each other's insights. I know some of us have children reading too, and they may feel free to chime in - but would you please share your age?
Animal Farm opens with an introduction to the characters as they gather to hear old Major share his dream - a task which Orwell dispatches effortlessly. Even with a few words, we know enough about many of the characters to understand their actions later. Orwell lingers a little on Boxer - who will become the tragic figure as the story unfolds. Curiously, little is said about the pigs - who arrange themselves in front, with the dogs right behind. Given Orwell's economy of words, details like this are important.
Major paints a bleak picture for the animals of their lot in life. If these are feelings the animals have had themselves, Orwell gives no indication. But Major's rhetorical skill gains more power from his scapegoating (one of seven propaganda techniques) Man in general - the only creature that consumes without producing - and Farmer Jones in particular.
This is a rallying cry based on polarities. Subtleties or questions are not part of the intellectual process here. Does Farmer Brown provide food and shelter? Does he organize? Does he help them when they are sick or giving birth?
We know the animals have free time, because Boxer and Benjamin spend Sundays together grazing. Mollie has sugar and red ribbons. While a case can certainly be made that the animals are exploited, Major paints a vivid and hopeless picture, then uses it to call for the overthrow of Man.
Major's declaration "All men are enemies. All animals are comrades" is immediately put to the test as the domesticated animals notice four rats who've crept out to listen and chase them back into their holes. Major, true to his convictions, bids them to regard them as comrades too. Major is no hypocrite.
From now on, Major commands them, whatever goes on two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes on four legs or wings is a friend. He also exhorts the animals to perfect themselves morally so as to distinguish themselves from the corruption and evil of Man:
In a fable setting, each warning carries greater meaning - through association or potential outcomes, which I will suggest, though you may see more.
Animals must not:
- Live in houses (materialism)
- Sleep in a bed (sloth)
- Wear clothes (pride)
- Drink alcohol (addiction, self-absorption)
- Smoke tobacco (harming one's body)
- Touch money (greed)
- Engage in trade (power, corruption)
While none of the things Major point to are morally wrong in themselves. Major's desire to keep the animals pure and fit for their noble cause leads him to draw rigid and narrow limits for their own good - and perhaps to avoid the conflicts that would keep them from obedience to the ultimate mandate:
Major's sealing of the deal with an anthem reminds me of the greater awareness my music student children have brought to my understanding of music and its power to move and inspire people. As a wordsmith, I understand the power of words, but they've explained to me - from their study of musical theory - how chord changes can manipulate and repetition can hypnotize. Although we can't hear the tune, I can imagine the powerful emotions stirred in the animals by "Beasts of England."
Here is what I notice in the words:
- Universal appeal - First verse: "beasts of every land and clime"
- Vision - "Of the golden future time
- Enemy - second verse: Tyrant man
- Oppression - concrete images in third verse: rings, harness, bit, spur, whips
- Fruit of liberation - motivational images in fourth verse
- Glory to come - fifth verse
- Call to arms - sixth verse
- Solidarity, Recruitment - seventh verse
Think about your most passionate participation in a praise chorus and you might have some idea of the potential power generated by the animals' singing of this anthem. Meditating on this makes me understand why many liberals want desperately to get rid of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Eager to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to comment below or link to your own review at your blog.
Posted in Animal Farm book study, Books | Permalink
Comments
One thing I noticed, Barbara, is how some of the animals were labled as "silly" or referred to as hard working, but slow of mind.
Those would be the very ones to pay the highest price later on.
My children (12 & 13) picked up on this right off. It was a great opportunity to stress how we should strive to be well informed.
Posted by: Smockity Frocks | March 13, 2009 2:58 PM
This is actually my first time reading Animal Farm. I knew of the content well enough to understand references, but had never actually sat down and read the book.
Anyways, from the impression of someone reading with new eyes:
I immediately noticed the cat. The fact that she listened without hearing, and voted both ways re: the issue of the mice.
I find this particular characterization very interesting because I think it describes a very large portion of society. Those who are disinterested in what is going on around them, who seek only comfort for themselves.
I will be very interested to see how her role in the story unfolds.
Posted by: Lauren | March 13, 2009 3:17 PM
I've never read the book and was so happy I could read it for free online.
I noticed right away 'the enemy' has been cast. And now we must rise up against 'the enemy' that exploits us. And, like you said Barbara, no mention or questioning of why 'the enemy' does these things. There is no history or reasoning given--only emotion involved in the right now. Now living in the rural South, I see my former vegetarian PETA propaganda spewing in a new light. The emotional propoganda spread by PETA, similar to what the major is doing, does not necessarily represent reality.
I also laughed out loud at the cat. I have a feeling he will cause some chaos later.
Posted by: Alison | March 13, 2009 4:03 PM
This is my first time reading it, too. I'm anxious to finish it today. I'm a musician so I can very well appreciate the stirrings of a good song. It is true that chordal changes can manipulate the mood of the listener. Everything about music is geared to affecting the emotions of the listener. Here's a good example: Do you remember how to sing the do-re-me scale? Now stop at the next to last note and see if it doesn't drive you crazy. People will go out of their way to stick that last note in. Why? Because that last note is "home." Psychologically, you want to go "home."
Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti......
DO!!! (home)
By the way, that song "Beasts of England" could have been sung to the tune of "Clementine." A very homey type of song. Easily singable and memorable.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 13, 2009 4:42 PM
I have posted a short piece on my blog.
Here is an awesome place to explore all things Orwell. If you want to look around :http://www.theorwellprize.co.uk/home.aspx
There is an archive of his works and you can read select pages of "Animal Farm" from the original manuscript.
Posted by: Jen | March 13, 2009 9:08 PM
I read the book for the first time yesterday. Mr. Jones has an alcohol problem, which I noticed right away in the first paragraph, and from which he never recovers. Perhaps this helps account for how mere animals could overtake a human farm. I thought of all the many addictions today (alcohol, drugs, gambling, porn, etc.) which have always existed but are at levels affecting nearly everyone's family or circle of associates. No doubt we are dulling our senses as a nation, and "escaping" into addictions. Of course the outcome is broken relationships/homes, poverty, even death. But Orwell warns of another outcome which would affect us all personally, whether we partake in addictions or not. That should be a "sobering thought" but I'd say we have been warned many times and yet our culture continues in a downward spiral. We could even be in the midst of an animal takeover more subtle than Orwell's.
The raven, representing the church (becomes clear in chapter 2) is sleeping.
The last paragraph has Mr. Jones attacking the imaginary fox. He is "armed and ready," but he doesn't even know what's going on. He assumes and reacts. The real enemy has not even been perceived! They are the "enemy within" that Mr. Jones works with and shelters and feeds.
[wow - great analysis!!!]
Posted by: evergreen | March 14, 2009 11:43 AM
