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Civil Disobedience In George Orwell's Animal Farm

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In George Orwell’s allegorical novel Animal Farm, the sneaky and mischievous actions of the government leave the inhabitants of the farm helpless and completely controlled. This novel serves as a warning to people everywhere to challenge authority and never abandon independent thought. Benjamin hides his knowledge of the pigs schemes from the other animals to avoid conflict, proving that mature members of a society may deceive others to remain true to personal philosophy of uninvolvement, if only to solidify to everyone that they are invariably right. Benjamin retains the information he posses in order to prove a point that all systems of government come and go, and will never affect his life. Even when the other animals are curious as to the meaning of confusing government actions, Benjamin would “say nothing” in order to uphold his personal vendetta (Orwell 109). Benjamin’s old and senile attitude he works so hard to maintain keeps him from revealing the …show more content…

The “first time” the other animals saw Benjamin “gallop” was at the occasion of his personal friend Boxer’s essential death sentence (Orwell 121). The only time lazy and disinterested creatures care to take action in any matter is when they are personally invested in the outcome of the situation; because Benjamin believed that the animal run government would soon dissolve, he felt no need to share with the other animals information that could have saved their lives. Many people do not wish to involve themselves or take sides in tricky situations simply for the reason that they want to get off scot free as soon as the rules or circumstances change, and wish to permanently remain on the equitable side of those in power. By only showing initiative when personally invested, Benjamin solidifies the notion that his deception originates out of neglect, not out of a want to shelter

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