Animal Farm Language Analysis

In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, words – particularly names – are the most important tools for gaining and keeping power. The pigs are able to convince the other animals of anything they wish, if they put their mind to it. Any of the animals could do whatever bad action they want – and it’s not difficult, to steal some extra grain – but what is incredibly difficult is convincing those around you that the bad action they just committed is good. It’s not difficult to kill, but it is very difficult to justify your unjustifiable acts to everyone around you. Actions have more limitations as weapons than words, and consequently language is a more important tool for acquiring power than actions.

It seems as though actions have more power than words in Animal Farm. The animals take over the farm from Mr. Jones not with words, but with deeds. They revolt, and later fight the Battle of the Cowshed and the Battle of the Windmill to gain full control. On multiple occasions, the animals “accepted [Squealer’s] explanation without further explanation” (42) despite not agreeing with it because “the three dogs… growled so threateningly” (42). The underlying

Benjamin is just as clever as the pigs, if not cleverer. However, he holds little to no power in Animal Farm. The donkey has the possibility of power, though, lurking under his skin – he could use it if he wants to. In fact, when Boxer is taken away, Benjamin is the one who spurs the other animals into action with his words: “Do you not understand what that means? They are taking Boxer to the knacker’s!” (84). Squealer had to do damage control over the situation, and he was concerned that the animals wouldn’t believe his explanation – “his little eyes darted suspicious glances from side to side” (85). However, his use of language beat Benjamin’s because he was willing to exploit the power; while Benjamin was only concerned about saving his friend in the heat of the