ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
LANGUAGE AND VALUE BASED EDUCATION THROUGH LITERATURE
A STUDY ON GEORGE ORWELL’S ‘ANIMAL FARM’
M. Nirmala Kumari
M.A.,Eng., B.Ed., Ph.D Scholar,
Nagarjuna University, Guntur.
Email ID: [email protected]
ABSTRACT

Great literature is simple language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree.
- Ezra Pound.
Disintegration of essential values and increasing cynism in society has brought to focus on moral and ethical
values. It is necessary to make changes in education system. Therefore, value education is a tool for the
inculcating the moral and social values. “Animal Farm is a masterly political allegorical satire, Written by
George Orwell pseudonym (penname) of Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950). He was a British novelist, essayist ,
literary critic, advocate and a fighter for political change. Orwell’s work is marked by ardent intelligent and
irony a profound awareness of social injustice and passion for democratic socialism. Animal Farm and
Nineteen Eighty-four is a gruesome forecast of totalitarianism written as an allegorical satire i.e.,
combination of allegory and satire. This political Fable set in a farm yard but based on Stalin’s betrayal of
the Russian Revolution. Through interesting, fascinating and captivating animal characters intrigue the
readers to a fantasy world. The picturesque delights the minds of the reader.
farming duties. To discuss this problem, Old
INTRODUCTION:
Language and literature are two sides of a
coin. They are inseparable. Language is
learnt by studying literature, the class
becomes
more
lively,
exciting
and
motivational when literature is introduced.
The learner becomes more sensible and
knowledgeable apart from gaining and
developing the required communication
skills. The story is set in Manor Farm owned
by Mr Jones. Mr Jones is not a very
responsible farmer. He spends most of his
time drinking and does not look after his
major (of animals by man and the miserable
life they are leading on the farm. He tells
them of his dream of all animals living
together and managing the farm with no
human beings to control them. He urges the
animals to join hands and work towards this
dream and teaches them a song called
“Beasts of England”. The animals are very
excited about the idea of running a farm on
their own. When Old Major dies three nights
later, the three younger pigs-Snowball,
Napoleon and Squealer- give shape to Old
Major’s ideas and call it Principles of
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
Animalism. A few days later, the animals
declares that there will be no more meetings.
manage to defeat the farmer Jones in a battle
He announces that henceforth pigs alone
chase him off the land .they rename the
will make all the decisions, and orders the
property ‘Animal Farm’, draft their own
animals to obey them.
laws called Seven Commandments on the
barn-wall, and decide to work towards
achieving Old Major’s dream. The two pigs
Napoleon and Snowball, compete with each
other to be the leader of the farm. Though
they do not see eye to eye on a number of
issues, they join hands to eliminate their
common enemy, Jones and his men, in the
Battle of Cowshed.
After Mr Jones is thrown out of the
The first decision he makes is to stop all
work on the windmill, but strangely, after
three weeks, he asks the animals to build the
windmill as though it is his plan. Boxer, the
horse, devotes himself to the task and adopts
the principle ‘I will harder’ throughout his
life on the farm. The animals led by Boxer,
work hard to complete the building of the
windmill. On a stormy night, however, the
windmill
collapses.
Napoleon
blames
farm, for a few days things see good on
Snowball for this and gets the animals that
Animal Farm. All animals work together in
joined hands with Snowball for this and gets
peace and this leads to the prosperity of the
the animals that joined hands with Snowball
farm. As time passes, however, Napoleon
in the destruction of the windmill-killed by
and Snowball begin to argue with each other
the dogs. As time passes, Napoleon becomes
over the future of the farm, and a power
more powerful. Napoleon also begins to
struggle begins between the two. Snowball
behave like a human being sleeping in a bed,
proposes an idea to build an electricity
drinking
generating windmill, and makes a passionate
neighbouring
speech to implement it. Napoleon opposes
commandments
the plan and decides to get rid of Snowball.
activities,
He sets his nine fierce looking dogs on
propagandist, justifies these actions and tries
snowball and they chase him out of the
to convince the animals that Napoleon is a
farm. Seizing the opportunity, Napoleon
great leader and is making things better for
becomes the leader on Animal Farm and
everyone.
whisky,
but
and
trading
with
farmers.
The
seven
strictly
prohibit
such
Squealer,
Napoleon’s
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
A few months later, Mr. Frederick, a
from the injury. His condition worsens and
neighbouring farmer, cheats Napoleon in the
he is put in a van and sent away. After a few
purchase of some timber and then attacks
days the animals are informed of his death.
the farm and destroys the windmill. After
Squealer tries to tell the animals that Boxer
this, there is a battle in which Boxer receives
died in peace in the hospital. The truth was
severe wounds. Though the animal drives
that Napoleon had sold Boxer to a glue
away the farmers, Boxer fails to recover
maker in order to get money for his drinks.
SEVEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER:
1-Before
4-After
Whatever goes upon two legs is a enemy.
"No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets"
1-After
5-Before
Once the pigs start walking on two legs, two
No animal shall drink alcohol.
legs become better then four.
5-After
2-Before
"No animal shall drink alcohol to excess"
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings,
6-Before
is a friend.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
2-After
6-After
The pigs end up thinking any animal that
"No animal shall kill any other animal
walks on four legs or has wings in inferior.
without cause"
3-Before
7-Before
No animal shall wear clothes.
All animals are equal.
3-After
7-After
The pigs all end up wearing clothes.
"All animals are equal, but some are more
4-Before
equal than others"
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
Joseph Stalin: Napoleon the pig represents
The word mill in Animal Farm represents
Joseph Stalin. Stalin is known for his human
Stalin five year plans.
rights abuses and his harsh five year plans.
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
Leon Trotsky: Snowball the pig represents
values, skills and attitudes are essential
Leon Trotsky. Just as Napoleon had
components of good education. Literature is
Snowball chased away, so did Stalin chase
one of the means for developing these in the
Trotsky away.
students to attain eminent characters.
Karl marx: Old major represents Karl marx
MORAL VALUES:
was very old and wise just like old major
was.
The story escalates the importance of moral
values, stipulation of content, unity and
Proletrait: Boxer the horse represents. The
leadership qualities are reflected in the story.
proletariat.
proletariat
As Dr. John Herbert aptly said, the castles
because he was always on Napoleons side
build on the base lies and deception by the
and followed his rules.
political parties will destroy and decline at
Boxer
was
the
Literature can be interpreted in different
ways. An adept facilitator can develop
interest in learner by the interesting stories
and novels. The readers start analyzing the
characters
during
the
process
the end. The burning desire is the starting
point of all accomplishments. This has
exhibited in the story through the characters.
VALUES:
of
Values are the rules by which
understanding a piece of text. In other
we make decisions about right and
words, the readers start empathizing with the
wrong, should and shouldn't, good and
characters one should listen to the other
bad. They also tell us which are more or
person or group members to be able to show
less important, which is useful when we
empathy and thereby related oneself to
have to trade off meeting one value over
them. The characters in the novel are
another. . "Generally speaking, value
examples for the different qualities that one
refers to the relative worth of a quality or
has to develop and should not. Thus ethics,
object. Value is what makes something
values skills and altitudes are essential
desirable or undesirable" (Shockley-
components of good education. Therefore
Zalabak 1999, p. 425). Through applying
literature is the one of the means for
our
improving
unconsciously)
eminent
personality.
Ethics,
personal
values
as
(usually
benchmarks,
we
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
continually make subjective judgments
the plural rather than the singular self-
about a whole manner of things: ...we are
reference goes to the heart of the books.
more likely to make choices that support
our value systems than choices that will
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES:
not.
Definition of a leader: A person or thing
Hence,
that holds a dominant or superior position
1. Consequences of power and greedy
within its field, and is able to exercise a high
2. Innocence
degree of control or influence over others. A
3. Unity and integrity
leader is “ a person who influences a group
4. Leadership qualities
of people towards achievement of a goal.” A
a. Freedom from sin, moral wrong, or guilt t
mnemonic for this definition would be 3P’s
hrough lack of knowledge of evil.
– person people and purpose as illustrated
b. Guiltlessness of a specific legal crime or o
by the following diagram.
ffense.
c. Freedom from guile, cunning, or deceit; si
mplicity or artlessness.
d. Lack of worldliness or sophistication; nai
veté.
UNITY AND INTEGRITY:
When the great leaders work is done the
Person: A leader by its meaning is one who
people say, “ we did that ourselves unity is
goes first and leads by example, so that
the key for success”.
others are motivated to follow him. This is a
One of the most
striking features of Anthem is its use of
language, especially the absence of the word
"I." Characters refer to themselves using the
first person plural "we" and not the first
basic requirement to be a leader, a person
must have a deep rooted commitment to the
goal that he will strive to achieve it even if
nobody follows him.
person singular "I." This use of language is
often confusing, but must be understood if
the book's meaning is to be clear. The use of
Purpose: A requirement for leadership is
personal vision the ability to visualize your
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6
goal as an accomplished fact; a thing already
can play an important role in enabling the
achieved. “The leader has to be practical and
learner to cope up with various aspects of
a realist, yet must talk the language of the
life. Learner should be able to understand
visionary and the idealist.”
the emotions in the life by reading the story ,
- Eric Hoffer
which leads to positive thinking, creativity ,
People: to be a leader, one must have
cognitivity,
social
and
emotional
followers. To have follower, one must have
development. Literature is concerned with
their trust.
man’s perceptions, passions, desires and
thoughts plays a significant role.
CONCLUSION:
Literature is nothing
but mirrors of life. These reflects the
REFERENCES:
culture and to understand the societies in
holistic view of life. In the word of Dr.
Radha
Krishnan,
“Literature
has
the
supreme function of raising the quality of
human life”. Literature as an art form is
meant
to
develop
an
aesthetic
and
pleasurable experience. It is useful and
rewarding in the modern world dominated
[1] Life , language and culture exploration.
I, Delhi: Cengage learning in India pvt.
Ltd.
[2] InterNET-2 Published by Board of
intermediate education AP-3rd edition
April 2013.
[3] Widdowson, H.G.( 1975), Stylists and
by materialistic things and technology.
the
Literature
(longman).
is
concerned
with
man’s
perceptions, passions, desires and thoughts
plays a significant role. If aptly envisaged
and sensibly implemented the teaching and
learning of literature can become a source of
teaching
literature,
London:
[4] www.seven commandments before and
after in animal farm.com
[5] www.ethics
,
morals
and
values-
principles by Chippendale.com
great delight and edification for both teacher
[6] www.definition of leader
and the students. Literature can have a
[7] www.quotes of unity and integrity.com
cathartic effect on the students’ mind and it
[8] www. power and greediness quotes.com
ELK Asia Pacific Journals – Special Issue
ISBN: 978-81-930411-1-6