In the closing act of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” we find the animals of the farm locked in a contentious debate. The question? Whether to return to their past ways or persist with the system they’ve newly instituted. The decision is a difficult one, stirring a sharp divide in opinion. Some animals argue that the new ways have resulted in greater prosperity and security, while others contend that freedom and equality hold more value than material wealth. Amidst fervent arguments from both camps, the final verdict is evenly split, indicating that neither option garners enough backing to prevail.
Yet, in the end, a momentous decision is made by the animals: they opt to revert to their old ways of living. Such a choice might baffle the reader – after the strenuous effort they had invested in creating a fairer, more just system, why this backtrack? The answer lies in the animals’ firm conviction that freedom and equality carry greater weight than any material advantage. Despite the knowledge that they might not prosper as much under their old system, they are willing to make that sacrifice to uphold their core principles.
This poignant decision raises a host of thought-provoking questions for the reader. What constitutes true freedom and equality? Can such ideals be genuinely realized in a world plagued by inherent inequality? These are the dilemmas the farm animals grapple with, and they are equally relevant to us as we strive to build a fairer and more egalitarian future.
