Thinkpiece no. 6

Animal Farm (the movie), an adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, is an attempt to revive the feeling of realization out of the apparent symbolisms of the characters and the flow of the story. It mocks the totalitarian system of governance, where absolute power is placed in the hands of a certain political leader. Also, it explores the realm of humanity that seeks power, however unruly and corrupt the course maybe.
During the initial part of the movie, Old Major, the supposed to be leader of the animals, presented a Utopian society, where the success of the animal’s revolution against human seems to be foreseeable. His thoughts are nonetheless idealistic, however he surely has the gift of tongue to make them sound seemingly bound on reality. I, for a certain point, actually did feel the anger in his voice and realized that it was a result of an enduring suppression and abuse. Old Major, seems to be a typical good leader. His ideals, if put into action, would not only benefit himself alone, but the rest of the animals, who willingly accepted his leadership.
During his speech, I feel that his beliefs have a parallel relationship with Marxism. He ought to remove man for it will cause the root of their hunger to be abolished. This would also entail that their fruit of labor would be rightfully placed in their hands. He could be an ideal revolutionary proletariat here. Of course, human, particularly Mr. Jones, would have to represent the capitalists. Just like in the real life scenario, the person who is in charged of them, for he benefits in the product of their labor, couldn’t care less for the welfare of his laborers. The foremost valuable thing for him, of course, could be nothing else but profit. Again, George Orwell and his counterparts in the movie industry, were able to infiltrate into the political-economic arena of human society.
As I have stated before, the movie also presented that part of human that would always want power placed in his hands. As the death of Old Major signaled the revolt of the animals, and upon its initial success, new leaders would have to step up. Napoleon at first work hand in hand with Snowball, in order to continue what Old Major has started, however because of the absolute power given to him, he was corrupted by the temptations brought by his complete authority over the animals. He collaborated with Squealer, his propagandist, in order to rule the whole farm as they wish, and bend the commandments in their favor. I believe that the movie presented a repulsive yet realistic type of a political leader, the type who do not keep the trust of his people and use his power in order to gain wealth and continuous supremacy.
The animals, at first where living in a pleasant atmosphere under the rule of Napoleon. They are cooperating with each other towards their goal of making the Animal Farm successful, even without the help of man. But when power got the better of him, the whole farm was placed in the hands of an exploitative and cunning master, just like the master that they ousted. Their naiveté were demonstrated at first, as they tolerate Napoleon’s impulsive decisions and actions even to their disadvantage. However, for some, Napoleon’s malevolence has reached a limit, and they either decide to leave the farm, or act against Napoleon’s will. Of course, both would put them in danger, yet the risks are proven to be worth taking. After a long time, Napoleon has no follower left for him to rule and with this the decay of his authority and the decrement of the whole farm was paid to be the price of his injustice.
Animal Farm, as a whole, warns us to be wary of the leaders in which hands we place power into. It is presenting a clear picture of what is doomed to happen if absolute authority is given at the wrong hands.