“Animal Farm,” a key book by George Orwell, is praised not only for its metaphorical treatment of political ideologies and revolutions but also for its effective use of songs and anthems, most notably the “Beasts of England.” This song serves as an anthem for the animals, capturing their hopes, goals, and early camaraderie. By analyzing “Beasts of England,” we may learn more about the motivations behind the Animal Farm movement as well as the ironic turns it ultimately takes. This essay offers a unique exploration of the role and significance of “Beasts of England” in Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, striving for a human-like expression and analysis while adhering to the given requirements.
“Beasts of England” starts out as a song of liberation and optimism. It captures the collective aspirations of an oppressed community with phrases that talk of a better, more liberated future when “Tyrant Man” is no longer in charge. The song acts as an effective motivator, inspiring the animals to picture a life free from shackles, whips, and starvation.
The song’s power is supposed to not just come from its contents but also from its sheer melody, which is said to move even the least politically aware animals. The common pain and ambitions of all farm animals, from the diligent Boxer to the pessimistic Benjamin, are highlighted by this all-inclusive plea.
The function and importance of the “Beasts of England” change as the plot develops, however. An hymn of resistance that first represents the sidestepping and eventual betrayal of the revolution’s principles. The pigs’ early advocacy of the song’s principles changes as they gain more control. The song that once brought them together now serves as a reminder of broken promises and a revolution that never materialized.
Orwell makes a statement on the larger issues of how revolutionary ideas may be exploited, marginalized, and ultimately crushed once those in power strive to protect their newfound position via this change in the song’s standing. When the song is finally outlawed and replaced by a more traditional and less revolutionary hymn, this becomes achingly clear. The erasure of “Beasts of England” is a reflection of the erasure of revolutionary zeal and original aspirations.
Conclusion:
In Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” “Beasts of England” serves as more than simply a hymn; it also serves as a gauge of how well the revolution is doing. Its ascent and descent depict the farm’s development from a mass rebellion against oppression to the emergence of a new kind of dictatorship. The song is expertly used by Orwell to remark on the cyclical nature of revolutions, in which new regimes—even those established with the best of intentions—often end up mirroring the faults of their forebears. Readers are encouraged to consider the brittleness of revolutionary ideas and how easily they may be appropriated, altered, or suppressed via the prism of “Beasts of England.”
References:
- George Orwell (1945). Farm Animals. Secker & Warburg, London.
- Irving Howe (1982). Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: Text, Sources, and Criticism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York.
- John Rodden. (2002). The Politics of Literary Reputation: George Orwell. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
