Critique d'Animal farm

First of all, why did you choose animals to illustrate our society?

I wanted to criticize the treatment of the working class which differs from communist and capitalist countries. I used animals to reflect the behaviour of humans in such situations. It is easier to criticize animals than to criticize ourself, as humans.

But can you explain to me why it is easier to criticize animals than humans? They are living beings like us.
Several philosophers defend the idea that men are superior to animals by their intelligence and their ability to create. Men have a thought of their own and there are able to speak. Unlike animals which are not able to create or speak. Men therefore considers themselves superior to animals. It is easier to criticize an “inferior” being than to criticize someone who might be our equal. And to avoid censorship.

I also wanted to know why did you choose pigs to be the leader in animal farm and no other animals?

I thought it was the right choice because unlike other farm animals, pigs are exploited exclusively for their meat and, while they are alive, might have more time to think and form an “intellectual class”. It is also true that pigs are a somewhat intelligent species of animal- quite a few shades brighter than most other farm creatures.

Probably though, if you imagine a British farm, what animal might you choose as a possible leader? A chicken? It seems ridiculous. A cow? Maybe, but cows are famous for plodding stupidity, a horse? Maybe, but they don’t seem a natural revolutionary agent, as humans are generally kinder to horses than to other animals’ same thing for dogs and cats. I could also choose a sheep but they are the poster animal for “mindless followers”! In a sense, it had to be pigs by default.

I hear what you are saying but, in a way, pigs don’t seem like an animal you could use to illustrate our society because many people imagine pigs as they are stupid and dirty. I mean we all have this image of pigs rolling in dirt.

In fact, pigs are considered as intelligent and mean animals. It doesn’t seem like it in the first look but this is why I decided to use them. In addition, the leaders aren’t always the best in our society.

This bring us to another question did you choose to illustrate yourself in the donkey? Because just along for the ride, not really in favour of communism and the pigs either. It could represent yourself?

Is the donkey representing me? Who wants to be represented as a donkey? But I will say that, yes, he could represent me by his way of thinking as he did not feel inspired by the Rebellion. Benjamin firmly believes that life will remain unpleasant no matter who is in charge. Of all of the animals on the farm, he alone comprehends the changes that take place, but he seems either unwilling or unable to oppose the pigs.

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