The Frailty of Principles: A Look at the Seven Commandments of "Animal Farm"

George Orwell's classic, "Animal Farm", though clothed in the simple garb of a fable about animals taking over a farm, dives deeply into the treacherous waters of political philosophy, morality, and the malleability of ideals. At the heart of this tale stand the Seven Commandments, a set of rules meant to govern and guide the new society the animals aim to create. However, as the story unfolds, these commandments become a poignant commentary on how easily foundational principles can be subverted and manipulated.

Initially, the Seven Commandments are introduced as a clear-cut set of guidelines to ensure that the farm's animals never emulate the oppressive behaviors of humans. These commandments include tenets like "All animals are equal" and "No animal shall drink alcohol." On the surface, they seem straightforward, serving as a moral compass to guide the animal community toward fairness and equality.

Yet, the story's progression sees these once-clear edicts being bent, altered, and ultimately shattered. This gradual degradation serves as a mirror, reflecting the broader themes of power, corruption, and the ease with which lofty ideals can fall prey to individual interests.

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Take, for instance, the commandment that asserts, "No animal shall sleep in a bed." This rule is designed to ensure that animals don't pick up the perceived decadence of human habits. But as the pigs ascend in power and seek more comforts, this commandment suddenly has an addendum: "with sheets." Such a small addition, yet it signifies a world of change. The pigs now enjoy the comforts of a bed but retain a veneer of compliance by avoiding sheets.

This manipulative approach becomes more pronounced with commandments like "No animal shall drink alcohol" later morphing into "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess." It's evident that the pigs, especially Napoleon and his close followers, are adapting the rules to justify their actions, rather than shaping their actions to adhere to the rules.

The most significant transformation, however, is reserved for the core principle: "All animals are equal." By the story's end, this commandment reads, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." It’s a jarring change, one that encapsulates the essence of the novella. This new iteration reveals the naked ambition and unabashed corruption of the ruling class, with a grim acknowledgment that some animals, namely the pigs, have positioned themselves above the rest.

Orwell's genius lies not just in illustrating the erosion of these commandments but in highlighting a universal human tendency. It's not just about animals on a fictional farm; it's about societies everywhere. The bending of the Seven Commandments reflects the bending of constitutional rules, moral guidelines, and societal norms in various contexts. How often have principles been adjusted, laws been 'reinterpreted', and moral goalposts been shifted to accommodate the desires of those in power?

In "Animal Farm", the Seven Commandments don't just act as a list of rules; they become a living, breathing entity. Their transformation charts the course of the farm from a utopian dream to a dystopian reality. They bear silent testimony to the corruption seeping into the fabric of the new society, revealing that while regimes may change, the age-old dance of power and manipulation remains a constant.

In wrapping up, "Animal Farm" and its Seven Commandments serve as a stark reminder. Ideals, no matter how noble, are fragile. Without vigilance, even the most sacred principles can be twisted, turned, and contorted until they become unrecognizable. Orwell's tale is a cautionary one, urging readers to hold tight to core values and to question those who would change them for their gain. After all, in the battle between power and principles, it's often the principles that need defending.