Democracy and Tyranny in Animal Farm
Beginning (1-3)
Chapters 4-5
The animals on Animal Farm live at the start of the story with a false hope of democracy, while tyranny creeps into their society with every passing day. Throughout Animal Farm the animals strove to build a democracy but their hope was diminished due to the pigs' tyrannical actions.
Main idea: In chapters 4-5 is when the shift between democracy and tyranny really begin.
"Is it not crystal clear, then, comrades, thats all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings?" (28)
Start:
- choice
- vote
- discussion
- all animals rule
- The animals hate life on animal farm with Mr.Jones in charge so old major gives a speech to try and persuade the other animals to join him and take down Mr.Jones tyranny over them.
- When the animals gain power they create a democracy with 7 commandments that are written and all animals must follow all of the commandments.
How it was a Democracy or Tyranny
End:
- no decision
- power taken away
- no choice
- one dictator (Napoleon)
Democracy
Quotes:
- In Chapter 3 the animals start working on animal farm, except for the pigs. The pigs just sat around and made sure work was being done around the farm. The new tyranny has already started.
"The animals formed themselves into two factions under the slogan, 'Vote for Snowball and the three day week' and 'Vote for Napoleon and the full manger'". (65)
Tyranny
"...Napoleon with the dogs following him, now mounted onto the raised portion of the floor..." he then cancels "...sunday-morning meetings," after that he says all decisions would be made "...by a special committee of pigs, presided over by himself." (68)
How it's Democracy
Chapters 6-8
"They were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice, well aware that everything they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them..."(73).
Democracy(through the animals' eyes):
- They believe that things can be improved for the good of the farm.
Tyranny in Chapters 6-8
- It shows how the animals were willing to work for a democracy.
"They were all slain on the spot. And so the tale of confessions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood"(93).
- Napoleon has complete power and control over the animals.
- The animals hadn't seen this happen since Jones had been driven out.
Chapters 9-10
How it was a Democracy or
Tyranny
In chapters 9-10 Animal Farm has turned into a tyranny government by having one leader that
"In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic, and it becomes necessary to elect a president there was only one candidate, Napoleon who was elected unanimously "(118).
- Napoleon has total power over the animals.
- No one is able to be a lead cause they all want to be equal.
Democracy and Tyranny in Animal Farm