Old Major’s Speech: Animal Farm Today – Lessons

Serious, Critical

Serious, Critical

Old Major’s speech, a pivotal moment, articulates the inherent injustices perpetrated by Man, representing a foundational critique of oppressive power structures. Marxist theory, evident within the speech’s condemnation of exploitation, provides a theoretical framework for understanding the animals’ plight. Animalism, the resultant ideology derived from Old Major’s speech, espouses equality but quickly devolves into tyranny, showcasing the corruption of utopian ideals. The enduring relevance of Orwell’s allegory, embodied in Old Major’s speech, lies in its capacity to illuminate contemporary societal inequalities and the cyclical nature of revolution.

The Dream Betrayed: Analyzing the Corruption of Revolution in Animal Farm

George Orwell’s Animal Farm stands as a chilling allegory, a stark warning painted across the canvas of a farmyard rebellion.

More than just a simple animal fable, it’s a potent critique of the Russian Revolution and, more broadly, the inherent vulnerabilities within revolutionary movements themselves.

The story begins with the tantalizing promise of liberation, fueled by Old Major’s impassioned vision of a utopian society free from human oppression.

But this dream of equality and shared prosperity is swiftly and brutally subverted, descending into a dystopian nightmare of totalitarian control.

The Seeds of Dystopia

This analysis will delve into the heart of this tragic transformation, dissecting the mechanisms by which noble aspirations are corrupted and revolutionary fervor is twisted into instruments of oppression.

We will examine the core argument: that the seeds of corruption are often sown within the revolutionary ideals themselves, waiting for the opportune moment to sprout.

Key Themes of Corruption

Four critical themes will guide our exploration: equality, power, language, and social justice.

Each of these concepts, initially central to the animals’ rebellion, becomes a tool of manipulation in the hands of the ruling pigs.

Equality is twisted into a justification for hierarchy, with the infamous slogan, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Power, initially intended to liberate the animals, becomes concentrated in the hands of a select few, leading to tyranny and exploitation.

Language, the vehicle of truth and communication, is weaponized through propaganda and distortion, used to control the narrative and suppress dissent.

Finally, social justice, the promise of a fair and equitable society, is perverted into a system of oppression, where the pigs enrich themselves at the expense of the other animals.

The Spark of Rebellion: Old Major’s Vision and the Seeds of Its Undoing

The animals’ initial hope for a better future stemmed directly from Old Major’s impassioned speech. But beneath the surface of his revolutionary pronouncements lay inherent weaknesses that paved the way for tyranny. His vision, while appealing, contained the very seeds of its destruction, fostering a climate ripe for exploitation.

The Communist Roots of Animalism

Old Major’s speech is a thinly veiled allegory for Marxist ideology. It presents a world where the proletariat (the animals) are oppressed by the bourgeoisie (Mr. Jones). The solution, according to Old Major, is a revolution that establishes a classless society based on shared ownership and collective labor.

The core tenets of Animalism, such as "All animals are equal," directly echo communist ideals. The emphasis on eliminating exploitation and distributing resources based on need is also a clear parallel.

However, the critical flaw lies in the assumption that such a system can be implemented flawlessly, ignoring the complexities of human (or animal) nature.

The Illusion of Utopia

Utopian visions, by their very nature, are inherently flawed. They often fail to account for the practical challenges of implementation. The assumption that all individuals will selflessly contribute to the collective good is naive, and ignores the ever-present potential for greed and corruption.

Animal Farm vividly illustrates this point. The animals initially embrace the ideals of Animalism with fervor. However, they lack the understanding and the mechanisms to prevent power from being concentrated in the hands of the pigs.

This naiveté, this blind faith in a utopian ideal, becomes a powerful tool for Napoleon’s rise.

The Fragile Foundation of Equality

The promise of equality is central to any revolutionary movement. But, true equality is a complex and elusive goal. Differences in skills, ambition, and intelligence inevitably lead to disparities within any society.

In Animal Farm, the pigs, with their superior intellect and manipulative abilities, quickly exploit these differences.

They gradually assume positions of leadership, justifying their actions by claiming that they are the "brains" of the operation and, therefore, deserving of special privileges.

This gradual erosion of equality is a key step in the corruption of the revolution.

The other animals, blinded by their initial enthusiasm and their inability to critically assess the situation, fail to recognize the danger until it is too late.

The pigs’ consolidation of power, masked by the rhetoric of equality, ultimately transforms Animal Farm into a society even more oppressive than before. The initial promise of a better future is tragically betrayed, replaced by a grim reality of exploitation and control.

The Rise of Napoleon: From Revolutionary to Tyrant

The animals’ initial hope for a better future stemmed directly from Old Major’s impassioned speech. But beneath the surface of his revolutionary pronouncements lay inherent weaknesses that paved the way for tyranny. His vision, while appealing, contained the very seeds of its destruction, which Napoleon would ruthlessly exploit.

Napoleon’s ascent from a seemingly ordinary pig to the supreme leader of Animal Farm is a chilling case study in the subversion of revolutionary ideals. Through calculated manipulation, brutal force, and masterful propaganda, he transformed a movement for liberation into a totalitarian regime. His actions serve as a stark reminder of how easily noble aspirations can be twisted into instruments of oppression.

Eliminating the Opposition: The Coup and the Consolidation of Power

Napoleon’s rise wasn’t organic; it was strategically engineered. The expulsion of Snowball marks a turning point. It signaled the abandonment of reasoned debate and the embrace of autocratic rule.

By orchestrating Snowball’s exile, Napoleon didn’t just eliminate a rival; he silenced the voice of dissent itself. The use of the dogs as enforcers cemented his control through fear, precluding any potential challenges to his authority. This violent act established a climate where opposition became synonymous with danger.

The elimination of Snowball was the first crucial step in Napoleon’s consolidation of power, a chilling demonstration of how revolutionary zeal can devolve into tyrannical control.

The Orchestration of Reality: Squealer as the Propagandist-in-Chief

Squealer, Napoleon’s mouthpiece, is perhaps one of the most unsettling characters in Animal Farm. He embodies the power of propaganda to distort reality and manipulate public opinion.

His ability to spin every event, every decision, into a triumph for Napoleon and the pigs is truly remarkable.

He skillfully reframes failures as successes, justifies inequality as necessity, and transforms lies into accepted truths.

Squealer’s relentless propaganda is crucial to understanding how the animals were gradually conditioned to accept their subjugation. Through him, Napoleon controlled not just their actions, but their thoughts as well.

Rewriting History: The Distortion of Truth

One of Squealer’s most effective tactics was the rewriting of history. He systematically undermined Snowball’s contributions. He amplified Napoleon’s, effectively erasing the memory of a more egalitarian past. This manipulation of collective memory served to legitimize Napoleon’s rule and demonize any alternative.

The constant reiteration of these revised narratives gradually eroded the animals’ ability to discern truth from falsehood.

Language as a Weapon: The Art of Doublespeak

Squealer masterfully employs doublespeak. He uses language to conceal the pigs’ self-serving actions. He distorts meaning to create a false impression of progress and equality. Reduced rations are presented as "readjustments." Increased workloads are framed as "voluntary contributions." This constant barrage of linguistic manipulation gradually erodes the animals’ capacity for critical thought.

The Perversion of Social Justice: From Equality to Hierarchy

The initial promise of Animal Farm was equality. The pigs’ gradual assumption of human characteristics and privileges reveals the revolution’s ultimate betrayal.

They move into the farmhouse, sleep in beds, drink alcohol, and engage in trade with humans. These actions directly contradict the original principles of Animalism. They highlight the pigs’ hypocrisy and their growing detachment from the other animals.

The Erosion of the Seven Commandments

The progressive modification of the Seven Commandments is a glaring illustration of this perversion.

"All animals are equal" becomes "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

This cynical alteration encapsulates the pigs’ complete disregard for the foundational principles of the revolution.

Exploitation Reborn: The Cycle Continues

As the pigs rise in prominence, the other animals bear the brunt of their ambition. Increased workloads, meager rations, and the constant threat of violence become the norm.

Boxer’s unwavering dedication and eventual demise serve as a tragic symbol of the animals’ exploitation.

His tireless labor benefits only the pigs, highlighting the cyclical nature of oppression, where one form of tyranny simply replaces another. Napoleon’s reign, therefore, is not a revolution fulfilled. It is a revolution betrayed, a cautionary tale of how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Ideological Echoes: Marx, Lenin, and the Perils of Revolution

The animals’ initial hope for a better future stemmed directly from Old Major’s impassioned speech. But beneath the surface of his revolutionary pronouncements lay inherent weaknesses that paved the way for tyranny. His vision, while appealing, contained the very seeds of its destruction, which Napoleon so ruthlessly cultivated. The novel isn’t merely a story; it’s a chilling reflection of history, echoing the rise and fall of communist ideologies and their disastrous consequences.

Animalism as a Distorted Reflection of Marxism

At its core, Animalism is a simplified, agrarian version of Marxism. Old Major’s denunciation of Mr. Jones and the exploitation of animals mirrors Marx’s critique of capitalism and the oppression of the proletariat.

The call for a classless society, where the fruits of labor are shared equally, resonates with the communist ideal of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” However, Orwell masterfully illustrates the inherent danger of utopian ideals when divorced from pragmatic realities.

The Seeds of Oppression within Revolutionary Thought

Marx envisioned a stateless, classless society emerging from the ashes of capitalism. However, he underestimated the potential for those advocating for the revolution to become the new oppressors.

Animal Farm embodies this tragic trajectory. The pigs, initially leading the charge towards equality, gradually consolidate power, creating a new hierarchy even more brutal than the one they overthrew. This perversion highlights the risk of revolutionary movements being hijacked by power-hungry individuals who exploit the initial fervor for their own gain.

Napoleon and Lenin: Parallels in Leadership and Control

The character of Napoleon bears striking similarities to Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution. While Lenin undoubtedly possessed revolutionary zeal, his leadership style paved the way for the totalitarian regime of Stalin.

Similarly, Napoleon, initially presented as a co-leader, skillfully manipulates the other animals, eliminating rivals and establishing himself as the supreme authority. Both Lenin and Napoleon recognized the importance of centralized control and the suppression of dissent in maintaining power.

The Vanguard Party and the Road to Dictatorship

Lenin’s concept of a "vanguard party" – a small group of revolutionaries leading the proletariat – is mirrored in the pigs’ control of Animal Farm. While intended to guide the revolution, this vanguard party quickly becomes an elite, wielding unchecked power and suppressing any opposition.

This concentration of authority inevitably leads to corruption and the erosion of the very principles the revolution initially sought to uphold. The pigs’ manipulation of language, control of information, and use of force mirrors the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes throughout history.

Snowball and Trotsky: The Price of Dissent

The fate of Snowball, the intellectual and visionary pig, closely mirrors that of Leon Trotsky, a prominent figure in the Russian Revolution. Trotsky, like Snowball, was exiled and vilified by the ruling faction, becoming a scapegoat for the problems plaguing the revolution.

Both Snowball and Trotsky advocated for different approaches to building the new society, but their ideas were deemed a threat to the established power structure. Their expulsion serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of independent thought and the ruthlessness with which totalitarian regimes silence dissent.

Snowball’s systematic demonization by Squealer echoes the propaganda campaigns used to discredit Trotsky, transforming him into an enemy of the people. This manipulation of public opinion highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need to question authority, especially in times of political upheaval.

From Utopia to Dystopia: The Complete Erosion of Revolutionary Principles

[Ideological Echoes: Marx, Lenin, and the Perils of Revolution
The animals’ initial hope for a better future stemmed directly from Old Major’s impassioned speech. But beneath the surface of his revolutionary pronouncements lay inherent weaknesses that paved the way for tyranny. His vision, while appealing, contained the very seeds of its destruction…]

From its nascent aspirations for equality, Animal Farm undergoes a chilling transformation, devolving from a beacon of hope into a brutal dystopian nightmare. The initial promise of liberation slowly suffocates under the weight of Napoleon’s iron fist, illustrating the complete erosion of the revolution’s foundational principles.

The Unraveling of Animal Farm

The initial vision of Animal Farm promised liberation from human oppression, yet the animals soon find themselves trapped in a new form of servitude, arguably more insidious than the last. Living conditions steadily deteriorate, rations are slashed, and the animals are forced to work harder than ever before.

The idyllic dreams of a farm free from exploitation quickly fade, replaced by the grim reality of constant labor and dwindling resources. This stark contrast highlights the profound betrayal of the revolution’s original ideals.

The Crushing Weight of Fear

Beyond the material hardships, a pervasive atmosphere of fear descends upon the farm. Dissent is ruthlessly suppressed, and any hint of rebellion is met with swift and brutal punishment. The animals live under constant surveillance, terrified of incurring Napoleon’s wrath.

This climate of fear effectively silences any opposition, ensuring Napoleon’s unchallenged authority and solidifying the farm’s descent into totalitarianism.

Mechanisms of Control: Power in Action

Napoleon’s control is not merely maintained through brute force; it is meticulously engineered through a complex web of manipulation and oppression. The pigs establish a system of governance that prioritizes their comfort and power above all else.

The Dogs as Instruments of Terror

The dogs, initially raised as guard animals, become Napoleon’s personal enforcers, embodying the violence and cruelty of the regime. Trained from pups to be utterly loyal to Napoleon, they serve as a constant reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Their presence inspires fear and obedience, effectively quashing any potential uprising.

Propaganda and Surveillance: Shaping Reality

Beyond physical force, the pigs wield the power of propaganda to distort reality and maintain their grip on power. Squealer, Napoleon’s mouthpiece, skillfully manipulates language to justify the pigs’ actions and rewrite history to their benefit.

Simultaneously, surveillance becomes pervasive, with the pigs employing tactics to monitor the animals’ every move, discouraging dissent and fostering a climate of distrust. Together, propaganda and surveillance form a potent combination, ensuring the animals’ unquestioning submission.

The Psychological Impact of Totalitarianism

The constant oppression and manipulation take a heavy toll on the animals’ minds and spirits. Their capacity for independent thought erodes as they become increasingly reliant on the pigs for guidance and information.

Loss of Critical Thinking: The Erosion of Reason

The pigs systematically dismantle the animals’ ability to think critically, replacing it with blind faith in Napoleon and his pronouncements. Propaganda and misinformation are used to control the narrative, making it increasingly difficult for the animals to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Normalization of Fear and Obedience: The Shackles of the Mind

Over time, fear and obedience become normalized, internalized as the only means of survival. The animals lose sight of the revolution’s original goals, accepting their exploited status as an inevitable reality. This psychological manipulation is perhaps the most insidious aspect of Napoleon’s tyranny, enslaving not only their bodies but also their minds. The farm becomes a chilling example of how easily revolutionary ideals can be perverted and used to justify oppression, leaving a permanent stain on the animals’ collective psyche.

The Corruption of Language: How Words Become Weapons

From utopia to dystopia, the journey of Animal Farm is paved not just with broken promises, but with broken language. The initial idealistic pronouncements that fueled the revolution are gradually twisted, manipulated, and ultimately weaponized by the pigs, transforming language from a tool of liberation into an instrument of control. This insidious process reveals how easily words can be used to deceive, distort reality, and maintain a grip on power.

The Subversion of Animalism: Twisting the Sacred Text

The Seven Commandments, initially etched onto the barn wall as the unshakeable principles of Animalism, represent the core values of the revolution: equality, freedom, and the rejection of human tyranny. However, these commandments become a prime target for the pigs’ linguistic manipulation.

The subtle, yet devastating, alterations to the commandments exemplify how easily language can be bent to serve a self-serving agenda. The infamous addition of "…but some animals are more equal than others" to the commandment "All animals are equal" is the most glaring example. This seemingly minor change fundamentally undermines the very foundation of Animalism, justifying the pigs’ privileged status and solidifying their dominance.

This act underscores the insidious nature of linguistic corruption.

The gradual and incremental nature of these changes makes them less noticeable to the other animals, who are already struggling with literacy and critical thinking. This highlights the vulnerability of a population that lacks the ability to critically analyze and question the language they are presented with.

Euphemisms and Doublespeak: Masking Reality

Beyond outright alterations, the pigs employ euphemisms and doublespeak to obscure the harsh realities of their rule. The reduction of rations is not presented as a cut but as a "readjustment." The increasing workload is framed as "voluntary" contributions to the collective good.

Such linguistic gymnastics serve to sanitize the pigs’ actions and deflect criticism.

By using carefully chosen words, they can mask the truth, manipulate perceptions, and maintain the illusion of progress, even as the other animals suffer. This deliberate obfuscation demonstrates the power of language to control not only thought but also emotional responses.

The pigs’ consistent use of positive language to describe inherently negative situations normalizes the injustice and makes it harder for the other animals to recognize the extent of their exploitation.

Rewriting History: Erasing the Past

The pigs’ control over language extends beyond the present, reaching into the past through the deliberate rewriting of history. Snowball, initially a hero of the revolution, is gradually demonized and cast as a traitor in league with Mr. Jones.

His contributions to the Battle of the Cowshed are minimized or erased altogether, while Napoleon’s role is exaggerated.

This distortion of historical events serves to solidify Napoleon’s authority and legitimize his rule. By controlling the narrative of the past, the pigs can shape the present and future.

The animals’ reliance on the pigs for information, combined with their limited memory and critical thinking skills, makes them susceptible to these historical manipulations. They are unable to challenge the pigs’ version of events, effectively silencing any dissenting voices from the past.

The Propaganda Machine: Squealer’s Reign

Squealer, Napoleon’s eloquent and manipulative mouthpiece, is the embodiment of propaganda. He uses his persuasive rhetoric to justify the pigs’ actions, deflect blame, and maintain the animals’ unwavering loyalty.

His arguments, often based on illogical reasoning and emotional appeals, are remarkably effective in swaying the other animals.

Squealer’s effectiveness lies in his ability to exploit the animals’ naiveté, their desire for order, and their fear of Mr. Jones’ return. He presents a simplistic and emotionally charged narrative that reinforces their existing beliefs and discourages critical thinking.

The animals’ inability to see through Squealer’s deceptions underscores the dangers of unchecked propaganda and the importance of media literacy.

The Erosion of Truth: A Society Built on Lies

Ultimately, the corruption of language on Animal Farm leads to the erosion of truth. The animals are no longer able to distinguish between fact and fiction, reality and illusion. They live in a society built on lies, where language is used not to communicate honestly but to manipulate and control.

This linguistic decay mirrors the decay of the revolution itself.

As language becomes increasingly divorced from reality, the animals lose their ability to challenge the pigs’ authority, perpetuating the cycle of oppression and solidifying the dystopian reality of Animal Farm. The farm’s descent serves as a stark warning about the power of language and the importance of safeguarding its integrity in the pursuit of a just and equitable society.

The Failure of Social Justice: Inequality Reborn

From utopia to dystopia, the journey of Animal Farm is paved not just with broken promises, but with broken language. The initial idealistic pronouncements that fueled the revolution are gradually twisted, manipulated, and ultimately weaponized by the pigs, transforming language from a tool of liberation into an instrument of control. But beyond the manipulation of words lies a more fundamental betrayal: the utter failure to establish social justice, resulting in a stark and disheartening rebirth of inequality.

The Persistence of Systemic Inequality

The promise of Animal Farm, like so many revolutions, rested on the foundation of equality. “All animals are equal,” declared the initial commandments, a rallying cry against the tyranny of Mr. Jones. Yet, this promise proves tragically hollow as systemic inequalities not only persist but become entrenched under Napoleon’s rule.

The distribution of resources and labor becomes grotesquely skewed. While the pigs luxuriate in the farmhouse, feasting on milk and apples, the other animals toil tirelessly in the fields, their rations meager and their bodies weary.

This unequal burden is not accidental; it is a deliberate strategy to concentrate power and privilege in the hands of the ruling elite. The pigs’ preferential treatment, their access to education, and their control over the farm’s resources, create a chasm between them and the other animals that grows wider with each passing day. The dream of shared prosperity dissolves into a nightmare of exploitation.

Justifying the Unjustifiable

Under a totalitarian regime, the perversion of justice is not simply a matter of policy; it is a carefully constructed ideology. Squealer, the pigs’ propaganda master, plays a crucial role in justifying the pigs’ actions, no matter how egregious.

He skillfully uses rhetoric to convince the animals that the pigs’ privileged status is not only necessary but beneficial for the entire farm. Through manipulative language and distorted statistics, he paints a picture of progress and prosperity that masks the harsh realities of their existence.

Perhaps even more disturbing is the animals’ gradual acceptance of their exploited status. Years of propaganda, coupled with the fear of Napoleon’s dogs, erode their critical thinking and their will to resist. They internalize the pigs’ narrative, believing that their sacrifices are necessary for the greater good, even as their own lives become increasingly impoverished. This acceptance is a testament to the power of totalitarian regimes to control not only actions but also thoughts.

The Triumph of Self-Interest

The ultimate tragedy of Animal Farm lies in the pigs’ complete transformation, both physically and morally. They begin to resemble the very humans they once despised, walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and engaging in trade with neighboring farms. This physical transformation reflects a deeper corruption: the abandonment of all revolutionary ideals in favor of self-interest.

The pigs prioritize their own comfort and power above the well-being of the other animals, indulging in luxuries while the rest of the farm struggles to survive. The pigs have become the oppressor, not for the benefit of all animals, but solely for their own.

The revolution fails spectacularly, not because of external forces, but because of the internal corruption of its leaders. The pigs’ insatiable greed and lust for power ultimately destroy the possibility of a truly egalitarian society, leaving Animal Farm a dystopian wasteland where equality is a distant memory and exploitation reigns supreme. The final scene, where the animals can no longer distinguish the pigs from the humans, is a chilling reminder of the cyclical nature of power and the enduring threat of oppression.

Animal Farm: A Microcosm of Political and Social Decay

From utopia to dystopia, the journey of Animal Farm is paved not just with broken promises, but with broken language. The initial idealistic pronouncements that fueled the revolution are gradually twisted, manipulated, and ultimately weaponized by the pigs, transforming language from a tool of liberation into an instrument of control. Orwell’s allegorical masterpiece offers a chillingly accurate portrayal of political and social disintegration, serving as a potent warning about the enduring vulnerabilities of even the noblest aspirations.

Political Decay: The Rotting Core of Power

Animal Farm lays bare the anatomy of political decay. The pigs’ ascent to dominance exemplifies how easily power can corrupt, even when born from righteous rebellion. The initial ideals of shared governance and collective decision-making are systematically dismantled as Napoleon and his inner circle consolidate their authority.

The abuse of authority becomes rampant, with the pigs exploiting their superior intelligence and manipulative skills to subjugate the other animals. Dissent is stifled, opposition crushed, and the principles of fairness and justice replaced by arbitrary rule.

The systematic breakdown of democratic principles forms the core of this decay. Meetings are abandoned, committees dissolved, and decision-making centralized in the hands of an elite few. The voice of the people is silenced, replaced by the dictates of a self-serving oligarchy. The tragedy is not merely the pigs’ betrayal, but the ease with which the other animals relinquish their agency.

Social Decay: The Fraying Fabric of Community

Beyond the political machinations, Animal Farm depicts a profound social decay. The initial sense of community, forged in the shared struggle against Mr. Jones, gradually erodes. The animals become increasingly isolated, suspicious, and fearful.

The loss of trust is particularly devastating. As the pigs rewrite history and manipulate information, the animals lose faith in their leaders, their neighbors, and even their own memories. This erosion of trust undermines the very foundation of their society, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation and control.

Inequality and exploitation become entrenched features of their new society. The pigs enjoy a life of luxury while the other animals toil tirelessly, receiving meager rations and facing constant hardship. The revolutionary dream of equality devolves into a stark reality of class division and oppression, eerily mirroring the human society they sought to escape.

"Beasts of England": An Anthem of Lost Hope

The fate of "Beasts of England," the revolutionary anthem, poignantly reflects this decay. Initially a symbol of hope, unity, and the promise of a better future, the song gradually loses its meaning and power.

As the pigs consolidate their control and the animals’ lives become increasingly bleak, the song’s message of liberation rings hollow. The very values it once represented — freedom, equality, and solidarity — are betrayed. Its idealistic fervor fades as reality sets in.

The song’s eventual suppression symbolizes the complete eradication of the revolution’s original spirit. The pigs recognize the song’s power to inspire rebellion and thus ban it, replacing it with a less evocative anthem that celebrates Napoleon’s leadership. This act represents the ultimate triumph of cynicism over idealism, the crushing of hope beneath the weight of oppression. The death of "Beasts of England" is symbolic of Animal Farm’s transformation from a society of equality, to one of pure power for the pigs.

So, what’s the takeaway? Old Major’s speech, though delivered to a barn full of animals, still echoes today. Thinking critically about power, resisting manipulation, and remembering the principles that matter—those are lessons we can all use, no matter how different our farm might look.