Animal Farm Flashcards

Power and Corruption

• "The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others."

  • Shows how the pigs use intelligence to dominate others.

• "Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back!"

  • The pigs use fear and manipulation to control the less educated animals.

• "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."

  • Not a direct quote, but reflects the theme.

• "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

  • Shows twisting principles.

• "Napoleon is always right."

  • Blind loyalty leads to unchecked power.

Propaganda and Language

• "Squealer could turn black into white."

  • Squealer represents propaganda.

• "It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brainworkers, should have a quiet place to work in."

  • Language justifies privilege.

• "Surely, comrades, you do not want Jones back?"

  • Repeated propaganda playing on fear.

Revolution and Betrayal

• "The animals had believed… that on the day the tyrant was overthrown, the golden time would come."

  • Shows the hope of revolution and its betrayal.

• "Napoleon had really been in the battle and had shown the greatest bravery."

  • A lie spread to maintain Napoleon's heroic image.

• Blind loyalty leads to unchecked power and corruption.

Class and Inequality

• “The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth."

  • Old Major highlights exploitation.

• "The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig… but already it was impossible to say which was which."

  • Reveals indistinguishable ruling class.

• "All animals are equal."

  • The original commandment corrupted.

Education and Control

• "Four legs good, two legs bad."

  • A simplified slogan for control.