The Seven Commandments of Animal Farm

In the novel Animal Farm, Old Major’s ideals are called Animalism, and then condensed into seven laws. These are the Seven Commandments, created by Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball. The three pigs take it upon themselves to teach them to the other animals. When the Revolution occurs, Snowball paints the Commandments on a farm building. Since most of the animals could not remember the laws, they were shortened to an even shorter maxim, which is repeated through the story by the sheep, “Four legs good, two legs bad. knnn

After the expulsion of Snowball, Napoleon takes charge and changes some of the Commandments to fit his needs. One that was changed was the Commandment of drinking alcohol. At first, the 5th Commandment stated that no animal shall drink alcohol, period. However, the pigs started drinking, so it was changed to “No animal can drink alcohol in excess.” Another one is the 4th one, where at first they couldn’t sleep in beds at all. Napoleon intervened though. So now it is “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” Overall, the commandments are changed to benefit the pigs, and not the other animals.

At the end of the story, the Seven Commandments are thrown out and replaced but a single, official Commandment. That Commandment was that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. Clover was suspicious about the Commandments changing, but was somehow convinced or forgot about it Just like he forgot about Napoleon trying to feel her up

All in all, the Commandments were easy to get rid of, because there was really no severe consequence if they were not followed.

By: Keaundra Alcorn and Alex Williams 7th Pd.uhuh