Voilence

Violence is initially presented as an act against animals on the part of the humans.

The violence of the Battle of the Cowshed is significantly different than that of the Rebellion. The stakes are higher and the injuries worse on both sides.

Boxer is the only animal to associate guilt with his violent actions.

While violence in the text was at first only present in conflicts between animals and humans, it invades the world of Animal Farm and the interactions between the animals themselves.

The sturdy, hard-working character of Boxer is able to defeat the threat of violence. Boxer, however, does not recognize his own power.

Violence in the text increases in severity, in accordance with Napoleon’s increasing corruption.

The death of the animals is meant to expunge their supposed crimes – but in fact represents a further moral decay and the crime of murder itself.

The animals’ rage at the supposed crimes of another farm is misdirected; they are unable to recognize the atrocities taking place on their own farm.

While in the Battle of the Cowshed, Boxer felt guilty at having accidentally killed a boy, he seems to have no qualms in the second battle at breaking the heads of three men.

Although they are unable to grieve for the comrades that have fallen at the hands of Napoleon, the animals recognize the losses in battle.

Violence in Animal Farm is a tool of political oppression. Not only do we see actual violence used to kill and to exile enemies of the leadership, but equally important is the threat of violence. If any animal rebels or questions the pigs’ leadership, he or she can expect to face violence as a punishment.

The progression of violence from battles between the animals and the humans to abuse within Animal Farm itself is the most significant outcome of the pigs’ corruption.

Because of the strength of the working class animals, particularly Boxer, the potential for violence against the pigs presents a constant potential for rebellion.

Orwell’s...