The Theme of Work and Exploitation

Examines how the animals' labour is exploited first by humans and then by the pigs, and how they justify it.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Labour Under Jones

The Old Exploitation The Unrewarded Toil The animals work all their lives, but the produce is stolen by humans. They get only enough to survive. The Slaughter at the End When they are no longer useful, they are killed. Their labour is a one-way street to the knacker's. The Injustice Major's speech highlights the injustice: the animals produce, but humans consume.

The Work Under Animal Farm

The New Regime The Voluntary Hard Work The animals work willingly, believing they are working for themselves. They are happy despite the long hours. The Introduction of Sunday Work Napoleon announces voluntary Sunday labour, but those who don't attend have their rations halved. It is forced labour in disguise. The Reduction of Rations Rations are cut repeatedly, but the pigs' rations are never reduced. The animals work harder but get less.

The Final Exploitation

The New Masters, Same Exploitation The Unending Work Windmill and rebuild, more work, more hunger. The animals are always labouring, never resting. The Pigs' Luxury While the others starve, the pigs drink beer, eat apples, and sleep in beds. They have all the comforts. The Justification of the Exploitation Squealer's statistics claim everything is better. The animals are told that they are free, but they are more exploited than ever.

before the Rebellion

the first years of the farm

the later years