#140, Equal
This week we began reading George Orwell's Animal Farm. On Manor Farm, each animal has their own unique responsibility; the cows produce milk, the horses till the fields, the chickens lay eggs and so on and so on. For their work, Mr. Jones provides each animal with an equal share of food, enough to meet their needs and keep them from starvation. Yet, their work is unequal. Boxer has the strength of two ordinary horses and thus can do twice the amount of work of a normal horse. He is given the same amount of food as a normal horse. A chicken that lays twice as many eggs as another is given the same amount of food as a normal chicken. A pig that provides twice as much meat as another is given the same amount of food as a normal pig. All animals' needs are provided for equally.
THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
No animal shall drink alcohol.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
All animals are equal.
-Animal Farm (pp. 24–25)
After the Rebellion, the animals take control of Manor Farm away from Mr. Jones. They rename the farm, Animal Farm, and create the Seven Commandments as law which all animals must follow.
To complete this Journal response, address the following:
The seventh commandment states that all animals are equal. In Animal Farm, animals are given the same food and shelter regardless of how much work they do. Is this system fair? Why or why not?
Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher