von Fifty years ago I was working with my 7a Class in the Gymnasium in Landeck on Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’.
Nowadays the author’s ‘fairy story’ (as he called it) – a political allegory in the form of a fable – is both timeless and – in view of Trump’s Presidency – more timely than ever.
Here are short extracts from ‘Animal Farm’ that focus on the rise of that leading pig, Napoleon.
Page references are from the Penguin edition.
Andrew Milne-Skinner
“Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself. He was especially successful with the sheep.” (43)
“Napoleon held aloof. He had declared himself against the windmill. He urinated over the plans.” (45)
“Huge dogs, as fierce-looking as wolves, kept close to Napoleon. They wagged their tails to him.” (48)
“In future, all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by Napoleon.” (49)
“Squealer said he trusted that every animal appreciated the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon had made.” (50)
“From then on the maxim was adopted: ‘Napoleon is always right’.” (50-51)
“Napoleon read out the orders for the week in a gruff soldiery style.” (51)
“The windmill was now claimed to be Napoleon’s own creation…… Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that the animals accepted his explanation without further questions.” (52)
“From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms.” (56)
“Napoleon ended his speech with his usual cry of ‘Long Live Animal Farm’.” (57)
“The pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there.” (59)
“Whenever anything went wrong, it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. …. Napoleon declared that there should be a full investigation into Snowball’s activities.” (68)
“Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, has stated categorically that Snowball was Jones’s agent from the very beginning.” (71)
“Napoleon emerged from the farmhouse, wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself ‘Animal Hero, First Class’, and ‘Animal Hero, Second Class’.” (72)
“The pigs were in ecstasies over Napoleon’s cunning. …. The superior quality of Napoleon’s mind, said Squealer, was shown in the fact that he trusted nobody.” (85)
“There were recitations of poems composed in Napoleon’s honour, and a speech by Squealer giving particulars of the latest increases in the production of foodstuffs.” (98)
“In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic, and it became necessary to elect a President. There was only one candidate, Napoleon, who was elected unanimously.” (99)
“Out came Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side.” (113)
“Fill your glasses to the brim”, said Napoleon. “Gentlemen, here is my toast: To the prosperity of the Manor Farm.” (120)
Hallo Andrew,
danke für Deinen originellen Beitrag!
Wenn es sich nicht so furchtbar real und bedrohlich anfühlen würde, würde mir das Schmunzeln nicht im Halse stecken bleiben.
Thanks 🙂 Chris
Verblüffende Ähnlichkeit bis hin zur Behauptung, immer Recht zu haben, und dem Hass auf Windmühlen. Sehr Trump-ähnlich ist auch Harry Limes (Orson Welles) Rede in der berühmten Riesenradszene in Der dritte Mann: „Nobody thinks in terms…of human beings. Governments don’t, so why should we? They talk about the people, and the Proletariat… I talk about the suckers and the mugs…“ [„Niemand denkt in Begriffen wie … Menschen. Regierungen tun es nicht, warum sollten wir es also tun? Sie sprechen über das Volk und das Proletariat … ich spreche von den Trotteln und den Deppen …“],
Alan
“Dump Trump-the-Chump!”
Am 4. November gab es im ARTE einen Dokumentarfilm von Michael Kirk (‘Das Gesetz bin ich’) über Trumps Präsidentschaft.
Begnadigungen für Angeklagte nach dem Sturm auf das Kapitol am 6. Januar 2021, die Auflösung von USAID, und drastische Massnahmen gegen illegale Einwanderung: US-Präsident reizt seine Macht aus – mit Auswirkungen auf Rechtstaat und Demokratie.
Am 5. November veröffentlichte die Tiroler Tageszeitung einen Artikel: 13 Gründe, warum die Demokratie in den USA bröckelt. (1. Rache an Kritikern und Ermittlern/ 2. Willkürliche Zölle/ 3. Missachtung von Gesetzen und Gerichturteilen/ 4. Druck auf Anwaltsfirmen/ 5. Personenkult/ 6. Militär in amerikanischen Städten/ 7. Legitimierung von politischer Gewalt/ 8. Druck auf Wissenschaft/ 9. Politische Korruption und Bereicherung/ 10. Einschränkung der Pressefreiheit/ 11. Feindbilder/ 12. Geld nur noch für die, die ‚richtig‘ wählen/ 13. Säuberung der staatlichen Behörden)
Trump has transgressed and even violated a key principle of the US Constitution: the ‚checks and balances‘ between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
The autocrat has become dictatorial, and even tyrannical. His strategies are largely based on intimidation and threat. Undermining the Supreme Court is part of his campaign to change the Constitution.
Satire in the style of Jonathan Swift is one weapon liberals can exercise to challenge radically such crass misuse of power: ‘Dump the elephantine Trump – the Chump who only speaks through his Trunk’.
When will this ‘Napoleon’ meet his ‘Waterloo’? Is the victory of immigrant Zohran Mamdani in New York the first shot in the war?
Andrew Milne-Skinner, Immigrant
Satire as a political weapon?
„Wenn Satire von der Realitaet engeholt wird“: Schlagzeile in der Tiroler Tageszeitung vom 11. November.
“ ‚Autochthon‘ ist der erste Roman von Juergen Pettinger: eine satirische Dystopie.
Das Szenario: In einem Land uebernimmt eine rechtsnationale Partei die Macht ind erlaesst daraufhin ein Remigrationsgesetz, demzufolge alle Auslaender, auch solche in zweiter Generation, das Land verlassen muessen. …. Aus dem Untergrund formiert sich aber rasch Widerstand gegen die nur scheinbar allmaechtige Regierung.“
Could truth be stranger than fiction? Hopefully ….. Andrew Milne-Skinner
Buchgespraech mit Juergen Pettinger am Donnerstag, 13. November, 19 Uhr, in der Stadtbibliothek Innsbruck.