Animal Farm Symbolism: Sugarcandy Mountain, Horses & Pigs

Animal Farm: Sugarcandy Mountain and Class Conflict

Moses, the raven in George Orwell's Animal Farm, causes problems by spreading tales of a mystical place called Sugarcandy Mountain, which represents the afterlife and distracts the animals from their current struggles. Sugarcandy Mountain is essentially a fictional paradise used to pacify the animals and maintain control over them by the ruling pigs.

In Animal Farm, after the animals drive out Mr. Jones and take over the farm, they agree to follow the principles of Animalism and to work collectively for the common good of all animals. This agreement is symbolized by the Seven Commandments initially established by the pigs.

The Seven Commandments

The Seven Commandments are established in Animal Farm to outline the principles of Animalism, the ideology created by the animals to govern themselves after the rebellion against Mr. Jones. These commandments are meant to promote equality, unity, and cooperation among the animals, serving as a set of rules to guide their behavior and maintain order on the farm.

Horses and Pigs: Labor and Power

In Animal Farm, the hardest-working animals are generally portrayed as the horses and other working-class animals, such as Boxer and Clover. They are tirelessly dedicated to the cause of building a better society in the countryside. For example, Boxer, the strong and devoted draft horse, works tirelessly, often repeating the motto "I will work harder" as his personal ethos.

On the other hand, the pigs—particularly Napoleon and his inner circle—exploit the system for their own benefit. They gradually become the ruling class and betray the principles of equality and solidarity that the revolution was supposed to uphold.

Comparing Horses and Pigs

Sure, let's contrast the horses and pigs in Animal Farm:

1. Roles: Horses, exemplified by Boxer and Clover, represent the working class. The pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, take on the role of leadership and act as intellectual guides.
2. Characteristics: Horses, especially Boxer, are characterized by their unwavering loyalty and dedication to the cause of Animalism. Boxer's motto, "I will work harder," reflects his commitment to the farm and the principles he represents. Pigs, especially Napoleon, demonstrate selfishness, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of other animals.
3. Outcomes: Horses, despite their hard work and dedication, end up being exploited by the pigs for their labor. The pigs take advantage of their position of power to live luxuriously, enjoying privileges such as extra food and comfortable living conditions.

In general, horses embody the working class and pigs symbolize the ruling elite.

Pigs justify their privilege by arguing that they are the most intelligent animals on the farm and therefore need more resources to properly run and manage the farm. However, I do not agree with this justification. While it is true that the pigs initially led the rebellion and formulated plans for the farm, they exploit their intelligence and power to manipulate and control the other animals for their own benefit.