Freedom Of Speech In Animal Farm

Society depends on articulateness and individual intelligence, whether it be from a higher figure or a civilian on the streets – this is what keeps many communities from falling apart. Northrop Frye states in an interview that, “We are taught to read so that we can obey the traffic signs, and to cipher so that we can make our income tax, but development of verbal competency is very much left to the individual” (Frye 2). In the novella, Animal Farm by George Orwell, the oppressors abuse this simple right and use it for their own personal interests. As they take a system of equality and transform it into a stratification of intelligence, that leads to the downfall of free speech, community values and individuality. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, however taking it away and using it as a violent weapon against democracy, can ultimately destroy a community. In Animal Farm, the pigs use of their superior intelligence allows them to manipulate the mass from furthering their education. They convince the naïve working class that all the work will be done by the pigs – ensuring their safety and well-being: “We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and …show more content…
When Beasts of England was first introduced to the animals, “after a few preliminary tries, the whole farm burst out into "Beasts of England" in tremendous unison” (Orwell 8). Although it can be viewed as a representation of pride, the recited texts throughout the story destroys the individualism of the farm. Which works to the benefit of Napoleon, as it maintains their focus on their laborious tasks – that they believe will allow them to achieve their eventual freedom. This also reinforces their loyalty to Napoleon and creates a working class that is reliant on a higher figure to define their identity and morals. Thompson states