Example research essay topic: Animals Are Equal Seven Commandments - 776 words

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Through Animal Farm Orwell teaches us that no one in a position of power can remain true to their original cause, Discuss. George Orwell's classic novel Animal Farm was written to teach people a very important lesson. That few people who have an opportunity to take control and gain power will stay true to their original aims and beliefs. Animal Farm tells a tragic story that aims to prove that human nature and diversity prevent people from being equal and happy. The story takes place on Manor Farm, where animals are overworked and underfed by their drunken human master Mr Jones. However, the animals on this farm catch the wind of rebellion and decide to rise up against their masters.

This is all sparked by a dream that a boar named Old Major had about a unique place where animals ruled themselves and where everyone is happy and equal. When Old Major died, the animals acted quickly and were able to overthrow the humans. Their new idea of government was known as animalism, and it was agreed upon that each creature would work according to their capability and respect the needs of others. Seven commandments were agreed upon and all animals swore faithfully to uphold these laws. The laws were: no animal shall drink alcohol, wear clothes, sleep in a bed, kill another animal, those who go upon four legs or have wings are friends and those that walk on two legs are enemies. The most important commandment of all was that all animals are equal.

At first the farm thrived. All the animals worked industriously to improve the farm and enjoyed the feeling of self-control and freedom. The pigs were considered the most intelligent animals on the farm and out of them Snowball and Napoleon were the most prominent. They became the unofficial leaders of the farm and the cunning Napoleon began to challenge Snowball for leadership and power over the other animals. Napoleon eventually became so hungry for power that he went to extreme measures to eliminate his opponent. In the midst of a speech about the plans for making a windmill by Snowball, Napoleon directed the dogs he had raised and trained from birth to attack Snowball and force him to flee from the farm.

This event resulted in Napoleon getting rid of his only rival and so he was free to start operating the farm his way. Similar events were occurring in Russia during the revolution of 1917 in an attempt to remove Czar Nicholas II from power. During this time two men named Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky fought for power and control of the country. Stalin eventually eliminated Trotsky and took over Russia. Things ran smoothly for a short time until Stalin decided that he wanted more power. Many had hoped that Communism would rid the world of its inequalities, such as poverty.

However, all the workers efforts to make Russia a better place never paid off because Stalin took control of everything and the common people were no better off than they had been under the rule of the Czar. It was not long after Napoleon gained power over Animal Farm that he started to brainwash and manipulate the other animals. Squealer, an intelligent and cunning pig, edited the seven commandments to cover up Napoleons violence, cruelty and greed. Squealer deceived the animals by telling them that the pigs were great leaders, despite the fact that all common animals were cold, hungry, and overworked.

Slowly but surely the pigs started acing more and more like the humans they claimed to hate. Napoleon started to break all the commandants by sleeping in a bed, drinking whisky, engaging in trade with neighbouring farmers, and other things that the original principles of animalism strictly forbade. The fact that the pigs were exploiting everyone was disregarded and unnoticed by the other animals until the pigs made the ultimate betrayal by walking upon two legs. All of the ideas that the revolution stood for were abandoned, the only commandant left that the Animals had to live by was All animals are equal, but some Animals are more equal than others. During the course of this story George Orwell describes how power turned the pigs from simple "comrades" to ruthless dictators who treated the animals with more cruelty than Mr Jones ever had. Orwell's book successfully proved that although animalism and communism are wonderful things to dream about, human nature will not allow leaders, who are always necessary, to stay loyal and resist the temptation of strength, power, and leadership.

Quote: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others (Page 114)

Research essay sample on Animals Are Equal Seven Commandments