I See Humans, But No Humanity
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
“According to Greek Mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate beings, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.” - Plato, The Symposium. Isn't it funny? Isn't it funny how humans are defined as one of the world's most intelligent living organisms on earth? Well truth be told, this is incorrect. Humans are just well adapted two-legged animals that are able to fit into their environment, just like their four-legged companions or the ones with wings. Thus, in a way, there's no such thing as humanity.
To continue from my previous post on Animal Farm by George Orwell, which I just finished, the text once again is considered a satire piece because Orwell uses it as a way to communicate to us how power can't be divided equally. There will never be equality for all. Once power is obtained it is always abused, and power causes all to think as the leader does. Equality does not exist, for it is impossible for everyone to be equal.
Once power is given to an individual or a group, rational ceases to exist. In the novel, Napoleon was never questioned for his "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.'" This lack of belief of one's own ideas is often the cause of an oppressed society. The animal's stupidity allowed the pigs to take advantage of them. Thus ". . . it was agreed without further argument . . . ." The animals believed every explanation that Squealer gave, no matter how unrealistic it was. They were agreeing with the leader, Napoleon, and never questioning his orders creates a false reality. This is because " . . . they had no more food than in Jones's day . . ." The farm animals put their trust within the pigs, thinking their decisions were justified but in reality, they had the same amount of food as they had had under human rule, and they worked twice as hard. The stupidity and gullibility of the animals that made this possible. Orwell wants people to learn to think for themselves and to question what is forced upon them. They must also have faith in their own ideas and work together as a whole.
Orwell's satire helps to illustrate the hardships that must be endured when power is abused. The goal of this book is to get people to think for themselves and have faith in their beliefs. People will never be completely equal, but hey at least they will not be oppressed.
4 comments
Hello, glad to see you writing again! I read Animal Farm as well, so I enjoyed reading your perception of the novel. Starting off with Greek Mythology was a bold move and it was extremely different, but it worked. I understood everything you were saying and loved how you were able to connect it to something so different. In addition, using the quotations made your blog post even stronger. In future posts I would defiantly recommend using more analysis on what exactly made the book a satire. Also, what you thought of it. I wanted to know more of your thoughts. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this post! Makes me want to scream!!! (Of course that's pretty normal and a good thing haha) The design (not sure that's what you call it) was amazing and creative! I love seeing this new side of, trying different things and as Rose said bold using the Greek mythology and that amazed me and I did not know! That intro itself got me really into your writing and I wanted to just keep on reading and finding something that I did not know before! I loved how at the end you presented some kind of theme but I wanted to know more, such as what did you think about, would you recommend it and why or why not. Looking forward to your next post :)
ReplyDeleteI always love coming to your blog because it is just so philosophical and insightful! I absolutely loved the gif at the beginning and the hook and bridge into Aminal Farm because I was not expecting it to be connected in any way.vi totally forgot that you read Orwells novel! Anyways, I agree with what everyone has said thus far. It leaves me with a wanting more factor and that really is not a good sign. Keep writing and spill out all of your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteWow, this post was amazing, your best one by far. "There is no such thing as equality, or humanity" that is some observation, one that I completely agree with. You backed up your insight with a lot evidence and managed to make everything flow smoothly. The way you connected the book was unexpected and different, I absolutely loved it. The only criticism I have is to double check your grammar and that's about it. I look forward to your next blog post.
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