ANIMAL FARM

EDUCATION
Memmers: Vana
Ramsamooj, Akayla
Warrina, Sumayyah
Mohammed & Re-Ann
Thomas
What is education?

The process of acquiring knowledge,

skills, values, and attitudes, often used
to shape one's understanding of the
world.​
​
 What is oppression?
The unjust or cruel exercise of power or
authority over others, often to limit
freedom or control behaviour through
force or manipulation.​
​
Characters that Represent the
Theme of Education as 01
Oppression in Animal Farm!​
 Napoleon​
 Snowball​
 Squealer​
 The dogs​
 Benjamin​
 Boxer​
 Napolean​
● Napoleon is the central figure who
manipulates education as a tool of Key Role in the Theme:​
oppression. His primary strategy is to Napoleon's role is to symbolize dictators who monopolize
education to sustain their power. By not allowing the common
control the flow of information and animals access to the same level of knowledge as the pigs,
keep the majority of the animals Napoleon ensures that the other animals cannot question or
uneducated, ensuring their dependence rebel against his authority.​
on him and the other pigs. He uses Key Events:​
education to teach only the young pigs, • Expelling Snowball: Napoleon undermines any genuine
ensuring a future generation loyal to educational effort by removing Snowball, who wanted to
him, while the other animals remain educate all animals. Once Snowball is gone, Napoleon
cancels the literacy classes for the general population.​
ignorant and easier to manipulate.​ • Training the Young Pigs: By isolating the education of
the young pigs, Napoleon creates a privileged class who
will follow his teachings without question. This limited,
exclusive education reflects how totalitarian regimes
educate only those who serve their interests.​
 Quotes
1

“Napoleon took them away from their

mothers, saying that he would make
himself responsible for their education.”​

“Napoleon is always right,” reflects

the blind loyalty he cultivates
through oppression, particularly in
characters like Boxer, who are
illiterate and can’t question him.​
 Snowball​
Snowball is Napoleon's ideological
counterpart who initially sees
education as a way to uplift all the
animals. He believes in teaching all Key role in the
theme Key events
the animals to read and write,
reflecting his desire for an informed • Organizing Literacy Classes:
and equal society, which aligns with Snowball represents leaders who use Snowball attempts to teach all the
animals to read and write, though his
education for empowerment
the original principles of rather than control. His
efforts are hindered by the animals'
varying intelligence and motivation.​
Animalism. Snowball's vision of approach is more democratic • The Windmill Project: Snowball’s
and inclusive, seeking to support for the windmill, as a tool to
education contrasts with educate all animals so that they improve the quality of life for the
Napoleon's, highlighting how can participate fully in the animals, represents his forward-
thinking and belief in progress through
running of the farm. However,
genuine education can empower Snowball’s idealistic approach
shared knowledge and effort.​
​
people rather than oppress them.​ is ultimately overthrown by
Napoleon, showing that in a
​ corrupt system, even education
can become a tool for
 QUOTES
1
"Snowball did not deny that to
build the windmill would be a
difficult business... but he
maintained that it could be
done."​
2​

Snowball’s enthusiasm for

education contrasts sharply with
Napoleon's calculated
manipulation of knowledge,
highlighting how education can
either liberate or subjugate​
 Squealer
Squealer plays the role of
Napoleon’s propaganda
minister, using his
mastery of language to
Key role in the
manipulate and confuse theme Key events
the animals. His role is Squealer represents how
pivotal in shaping the education (specifically,
• Justifying the Pigs’ Privileges:
animals' understanding of control of information) can Squealer repeatedly convinces the
reality, ensuring that they be warped to manipulate the animals that the pigs’ actions, such
masses. By constantly as sleeping in beds or drinking
cannot recognize their
rewriting history and alcohol, are for the benefit of all
oppression. Squealer's distorting facts, he prevents animals.​
misuse of language and the animals from • Changing the Commandments:
education is a direct tool Squealer is responsible for subtly
questioning Napoleon's altering the commandments and
of control, allowing the regime, much like how then using twisted logic to
pigs to maintain power oppressive governments use convince the animals that they
without physical force.​ propaganda to maintain always remembered them
control.​ incorrectly.​
 QUOTES
1

“Squealer could turn black into

white.”​
​

“It is for your sake that we drink

that milk and eat those apples.
 The Dogs
The dogs are a literal manifestation
of Napoleon’s control over
education. Trained from
puppies by Napoleon, they
Key role in the
serve as his personal enforcers, theme
ensuring that any dissent is
quashed through violence. The dogs represent how Key events
Their education consists only of education can be tailored
loyalty and obedience to to create blind loyalty and  Expelling Snowball: The
Napoleon, reflecting how violent enforcers of an dogs violently drive Snowball
education in oppressive oppressive system. Instead off the farm, cementing
regimes can be designed to of being educated for their Napoleon’s control.​
create instruments of control own good, they are trained  Enforcing Napoleon’s Rule:
rather than critical thinkers.​ as tools of oppression to The dogs use fear to suppress
​ intimidate and control any opposition or rebellion,
others.​ ensuring that Napoleon’s
oppressive rule remains
 QUOTES

1
"It was noticed that they wagged their
tails to him in the same way as the
2
other dogs had been used to do to
Mr. Jones."​
Their loyalty to Napoleon mirrors
​ how totalitarian regimes use
force to sustain their power, with
educated enforcers (like the dogs)
suppressing the uneducated
majority.​
 Benjamin​
Benjamin is one of the few
animals on the farm who is
literate, but he chooses not Key role in the
to intervene or act, despite
theme Key events
understanding the
oppression around him.  Refusing to Read the
Benjamin represents the
His literacy grants him the Commandments:
intellectuals in society Benjamin, though literate,
ability to see through the
who are educated enough refuses to challenge the pigs
pigs’ lies, but his cynicism
to recognize oppression as they change the
prevents him from using
but refuse to act against it. commandments.​
his education to resist or  Recognizing the Betrayal:
His passive stance on the
inform others. This After Boxer is sent to the
pigs' manipulation shows
passivity contributes to the slaughterhouse, Benjamin
that knowledge without
continuation of the pigs’ finally reads the writing on
action can still lead to
oppressive regime.​ the van, but it is too late to
oppression.​ save his friend​.
 QUOTES

1
"Benjamin could read as well as
any pig, but never exercised
2
his faculty."​ “Fools! Fools! Do you not see
​ what is written on the side of
that van?”​
 Boxer
Boxer represents the uneducated
working class, who are easily
manipulated because of their
lack of knowledge. Despite his Key role in the
immense physical strength and theme Key events
dedication to the farm, Boxer’s
inability to think critically or Boxer’s role is to demonstrate • Working for the Windmill: Boxer
read leaves him vulnerable to how education is essential for tirelessly works to build the
the pigs’ propaganda. His self-liberation. His blind windmill, believing in Napoleon’s
loyalty to Napoleon, driven by loyalty to the pigs, fuelled by
leadership despite never
his personal mottos, "I will understanding its true purpose.​
ignorance, allows them to • Being Sent to the Slaughterhouse:
work harder" and "Napoleon is exploit his labour and Boxer’s trust in Napoleon leads to
always right," exemplifies how ultimately betray him. His his betrayal when he is injured, and
the lack of education can lead tragic end highlights the instead of being rewarded for his
to the exploitation and dangers of remaining loyalty, he is sold to the glue factory.​
oppression of the working ​
uneducated in an oppressive
class.​ system.​
​
 QUOTES

1
“I will work harder.”​
​
2
"Napoleon is always right."
Boxer’s ignorance of his own oppression, despite his
strength, underscores the importance of education in
resisting exploitation.​
Methods Used by the
Pigs to Encapsulate
Oppression Through
Education​
​
 Selective Education – Napoleon educates only the pigs, ensuring they stay in power while the other animals remain

ignorant.​

Quote: "Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their

education."​

 Manipulation of Language – Squealer uses his rhetorical skills to confuse the animals, twisting the truth to maintain

control.​

Quote: "Squealer could turn black into white.”​

 Distortion of the Commandments – The pigs gradually change the Seven Commandments to suit their needs, and

because the animals are uneducated, they are unable to challenge these changes.​

Quote: "Do you not remember, comrades, how we used to say that all animals are equal? But some animals are more

equal than others."- vane​

 Fear and Intimidation – The pigs use education to train the dogs to enforce their oppressive rule through violence.​

Quote: "Napoleon's dogs promptly tore their throats out."​

What Is Animalism?
● Animalism is the ideology introduced by Old Major that
calls for the equality of all animals and the overthrow of
human oppressors. It is based on the idea that animals must
work together for their common good, free from human
exploitation.​
Principles of Animalism:​
• All animals are equal.​
• No animal should tyrannize over others.​
● Animals should control the means of production.​
 The Seven
Commandments and
Their Importance
● The Seven Commandments are the foundation of Animalism and are
meant to ensure fairness and equality among the animals. They
represent the ideals of the revolution, providing a clear structure for
the animals' new society.​
The original commandments:​
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.​
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.​
No animal shall wear clothes.​
No animal shall sleep in a bed.​
No animal shall drink alcohol.​
No animal shall kill any other animal.​
All animals are equal.​
 Alterations of the
Seven
Commandments and
Their Impact​
● In Animal Farm, the gradual alterations of the Seven Commandments reflect the pigs’
increasing corruption and betrayal of the principles of Animalism. Each change allows the pigs
to justify their growing power and privileges, while the other animals remain oppressed.​
​
1. "Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy"​
​
Alteration: Completely abandoned when the pigs begin walking on two legs and interacting
with humans.​
Significance: This represents the pigs’ full assimilation into human behaviour, the very thing
the revolution was meant to reject. The line between pigs and humans becomes blurred.​
​
2. "Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend"​
​
Alteration: Ignored as the pigs treat other animals as inferior while elevating themselves above
them.​
Significance: The commandment initially promoted animal unity, but as the pigs gain power,
they break this principle by allying with humans and seeing other animals as beneath them.​
● 3. "No animal shall wear clothes"​
​
Alteration: The pigs begin wearing human clothes, especially Napoleon, who
adopts Mr. Jones' attire.​
Significance: Clothes symbolize the pigs' transformation into the oppressors they
once overthrew. Wearing clothes sets them apart from the other animals and
signals their increasing elitism.​
​
4. "No animal shall sleep in a bed"​
Alteration: Changed to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets."​
Significance: This change allows the pigs to enjoy human comforts while still
claiming to follow the rules. By adding "with sheets," they manipulate the wording
to justify their privileges, showing how language is used to control the other
animals.​
​
● 5. "No animal shall drink alcohol"​
​
Alteration: Changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."​
Significance: After discovering alcohol, the pigs indulge in drinking, something
that was originally forbidden. The added phrase "to excess" allows them to break
the rule without appearing to do so, revealing their growing self-indulgence and
moral decay.​
​
6. "No animal shall kill any other animal"​
​
Alteration: Changed to "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause."​
Significance: This change legitimizes the purges and executions carried out by
Napoleon. It marks a sharp departure from the original principle of equality and
non-violence, allowing Napoleon to maintain control through fear and force.​
​
The Final Betrayal
● The last commandment, "All animals are equal," is altered to read, "All
animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."​
What did this mean for the other animals?​
This alteration marks the ultimate betrayal of Animalism. The pigs, having
assumed the role of the oppressors, now openly declare their superiority over
the other animals. The animals, who had believed they were fighting for
equality, find themselves in the same position of subjugation they were under
with the humans. The new commandment solidifies the pigs' dominance and
the acceptance of a hierarchy, leaving the other animals powerless.​
Quote: "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."​
​
THANKS!​
That was our presentation,
Any questions?​