My "Ten Token" Quotes From Orwell's Political Manifesto, "Animal Farm"

The farm-to-future political manifesto novel, fuelled by the upwardly-mobile greed of pigs (who begin to look very, very familiar...)

Article Edited: December 22nd, 2022

"If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear!" - Mary Shelley

Hey... What Are The "Ten Tokens" ?

"Ten Tokens" - This is a new category I want to begin on this blog, naming my "ten tokens" from pieces of literature. Whether these are ten quotes (like this article) or the top lessons to be taken from the contents of the plot. Hopefully there are more posts to follow this one, but without further ado, here is the premiere posting focusing on

Animal Farm.

When one begins to think of the novel, Animal Farm, the first quote that may come to mind is the common mantras of "four legs good, two legs bad". Although these quotes are truly "classic" in regards to this novel, I will be trying to focus on smaller, lesser acknowledged moments in the plot progression. These are more personal tokens that stuck with me, regardless of their level of prestige. Bear with me (animal pun, already)!

“The only good human being is a dead one.”

First Quote: The impact of this particular quote is easy to grasp. The blatant hatred of the human race is sent into the eyes of the reader, caught like a deer in the headlights. The pigs of the farm instill slow fear of the human race into the other animals, that's how they climb onto the pedestal of power. The dynamic progresses gradually, just as any big change occurs in history; poco en poco, little by little.

“Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments.”

Second Quote: This quote reminded me of the blanket of ignorance that allows a society to remain underneath the boot of the oppressor, when education is not given or allowed. In the case of the farm, the animals believed they had a role in the decisions. Of course, they did not. Even though the lesser animals on the farm knew some of the motivations of their leaders were wrong, they didn't have the tools to create any discourse. If there is no knowledge of the "greener stables" across the horizon, there is no motivation to seek them out. If the oppressed population cannot argue equally against the leaders, the agenda of the leaders will easily reign supreme - as seen within Animal Farm.

“Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than just ribbons?”

Third Quote: Oh yes, a quote regarding one of my favourite characters, Mollie the White Mare! She's depicted as a pampered beauty queen, lessened to her affinity for her own appearance. During my experience reading the novel, she was a temporary sense of levity. Amid the darker themes of the plot, she provided these "silly" interludes of questions regarding either her hair ribbons or her sugar cubes (mentioned later in the article). When the extermination of the human race is a reoccurring theme, these seemingly surface-level moments appear comedic, but there's more beneath Mollie. She doesn't live only for the fulfillment pleasures, but she is "mare-enough" to mention them. She wants a life with certain luxuries, she isn't willing to sacrifice her happiness to submit to a thankless life of work (no matter how trivial her requests may seem).

“Comrades!' he cried. 'You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples."

Fourth Quote: This speech embodies the leader's attempts in the novel to sway the opinions of the other animals, using language to try to relate to their situation but still discredit their rightfully-placed concerns. All animals are equal, according to their leaders... but their actions say otherwise. By using demeaning language like "imagine", Napoleon dismisses their woes by lessening their valid questions to a mere fantasy concocted by their own minds. The better meals are a clear indicator of the privilege given to the leaders, though Napoleon refuses this. In the interest of his own political standing, he tries to relate to the crowd by turning it towards his own dislike for the items. I loved this moment, as it was a first-hand example of the way Napoleon

twisted the discontent of the masses into his own discontent.

“If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

Fifth Quote: When I first read this quote, I was immediately reminded of the idea of masking hatred underneath the idea of promoting "free speech". Of course, this is a right that should be available to every person (in this case, animals), but many use this right incorrectly - instead using it as a shield when others call them out on harmful words, phrases, or narratives. By using one's liberty to promote hate, the idea of free speech just morphs into the freedom of hate speech. In this case, "telling people what they do not want to hear" could range from the drive to work harder or morph into the removal of their rights. In "Animal Farm", these leaders thrive off of their misleading guidance. The things that these lesser animals "do not want to hear" are cushioned with the false promise of a kind leader, with their benefit taken into priority - which is not the case.

“Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes!”

Sixth Quote: This one is an interesting concept, the idea that the betterment of a thing like water can be attributed to their leader. Leadership doesn't directly lead to water purity increasing, obviously. I wondered why they commented on this then, if not an actual fact. I believe it was more of an allusion to how, under the "rightful" leader of their farm, all amenities thought to be better than before even if they actually aren't.

“They always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment.”

Seventh Quote: If you think back to watching political debates, the language of the candidate can be described in one word; practiced. The same standards hold in the animal debates, captivating arguments sway the audience. In a situation like the one desired by Napoleon, the other dissenting voice must be eliminated for his to resound across the barn. It seems that all will follow the sole loudest speaker.

"His answer to every problem, every setback was “I will work harder!” ... adopted as his personal motto."

Eighth Quote: My other favourite character focused on here, Boxer the Work Horse. He represents the labour of the group, content to work harder and harder at the will of Napoleon. His efforts are supported only when they benefit the pigs in charge, who allow him to overwork himself until (spoiler alert!) he collapses while building the windmill.

His greatest motto became his final straw. When he is no longer of use to the leaders, he is disposed of (mentioned later in the article). This was definitely the saddest moment of the novel in my own personal experience, some justified tears may have been shed...

"Will there still be sugar after the Rebellion?"

Ninth Quote: Again, silly Mollie comes back with this rebuttal to the planning of the Rebellion. Though this is discredited by so many members of the planning committee, it's an interesting look into the joys soon dashed when political moves are being made. It shouldn't be unheard of to chase pleasure, but her focus on these pleasures make Mollie a weak link in the united front. Because of this, she is ostracized until she runs away. She find a (gasp!) human to look after her, with all the ribbons her horsey-heart desires.

Her character embodies those who still seek pleasures left behind in the search for the "greater good", however it is defined by the leaders at the front of the march.

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

Tenth Quote: I know that I said I would be focusing on lesser recognized lines, but this final line is too brilliant to pass up. One of the most iconic final phrases in a book, according to me, this sentence encapsulates the entire message in a pretty bow (too bad Mollie wasn't around to see it)! The leaders became the very thing they despised, beginning with the refusal of man and ends with final meta-metamorphosis into man. This line is introspective, bringing the reader to glance around them, questioning who are the real humans and who are the pigs? Is there a difference?

Final Notes on "Animal Farm":

Animal Farm was the first "classic" that I definitively rated as a 10/10 read, noting itself as one of my favourites of all time. It is pure genius, a reflection of the world surrounding the reader - still relevant at any time of history. Written in 1944, the political environment from which it was born is definitely different than today, nonetheless the themes still remain dominant into today's world.

If there are politics at play, there is potential for corruption.

If there are societal rules, someone must be writing them.

If there is a man, Orwell says, "there is a pig."

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Yours in Academia,

Alias Indiana, The Book-Built Blog.