Oppression as Explained in Animal Farm "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed” –Steven Biko (Oppression Quotes). Oppression is the “cruel and unfair treatment of people, especially by not giving them the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people” (Oxford). One of the most renowned literary works pertaining to oppression is Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm allegorizes the events of the Russian Revolution and Stalin era. Using this source one can attempt to better understand the inner workings of oppression, more specifically: what in human nature allows some to become oppressors and why do others allow the oppression to exist. The three figures in the relationship of oppression are the oppressors,
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Suddenly he halted as though his mind were made up. `Comrades, ' he said quietly, `do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL! ' he suddenly roared in a voice of thunder. `Snowball has done this thing! The animals were shocked beyond measure to learn that even Snowball could be guilty of such an action. There was a cry of indignation, and everyone began thinking out ways of catching Snowball if he should ever come back. Almost immediately the footprints of a pig were discovered in the grass at a little distance from the knoll. (George Orwell …show more content…
Examples of some who were indirectly involved are Mr. Whymper and the other farmers. Those who are aware yet do nothing to help the situation are bystanders. Historically, when Russia was undergoing its communist regime other countries backed away. The only time that other countries engaged Russia was when trade was involved; as can also be seen in the book. In fact other countries/farms swindled Russia/Animal Farm and waged war with it, but only for their own gain, not to help the Animal Farm; all of this is seen in chapter 8 especially. Benjamin can fall in to this category as a bystander. Benjamin was an intelligent member of the farm who could even read: “Benjamin could read as well as any pig, but never exercised his faculty. So far as he knew, he said, there was nothing worth reading” (George Orwell 13); something other animals on the farm could not perfect. Benjamin was capable of helping, yet the only time he tried was when someone (Boxer) important to him was killed. “`Fools! Fools! ' shouted Benjamin, prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. `Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van? '” (George Orwell 47). Benjamin represents the indifferent members of the working class. Bystanders such as Benjamin and Mr. Whymper are responsible for the existence of oppression because outside
Suddenly he halted as though his mind were made up. `Comrades, ' he said quietly, `do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL! ' he suddenly roared in a voice of thunder. `Snowball has done this thing! The animals were shocked beyond measure to learn that even Snowball could be guilty of such an action. There was a cry of indignation, and everyone began thinking out ways of catching Snowball if he should ever come back. Almost immediately the footprints of a pig were discovered in the grass at a little distance from the knoll. (George Orwell …show more content…
Examples of some who were indirectly involved are Mr. Whymper and the other farmers. Those who are aware yet do nothing to help the situation are bystanders. Historically, when Russia was undergoing its communist regime other countries backed away. The only time that other countries engaged Russia was when trade was involved; as can also be seen in the book. In fact other countries/farms swindled Russia/Animal Farm and waged war with it, but only for their own gain, not to help the Animal Farm; all of this is seen in chapter 8 especially. Benjamin can fall in to this category as a bystander. Benjamin was an intelligent member of the farm who could even read: “Benjamin could read as well as any pig, but never exercised his faculty. So far as he knew, he said, there was nothing worth reading” (George Orwell 13); something other animals on the farm could not perfect. Benjamin was capable of helping, yet the only time he tried was when someone (Boxer) important to him was killed. “`Fools! Fools! ' shouted Benjamin, prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. `Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van? '” (George Orwell 47). Benjamin represents the indifferent members of the working class. Bystanders such as Benjamin and Mr. Whymper are responsible for the existence of oppression because outside