Some (Animals) Are More Equal Than Others

Some Animals are more equal than the others
Some Animals are more equal than the others

Equality is the most fundamental feature of democracy. Discrimination and unequal opportunities may lead to disharmony and leave a negative impact on the society. Individual interests are hurt and the economy suffers. Here I would like to take you on the journey of ‘Animal Farm’.

Some Animals are more equal than the others
Some Animals are more equal than the others

‘Animal Farm’, the novel by George Orwell is the literary reflection of events that led to the Russian Revolution in 1917. The story is set in an animal farm where animals revolted against the farm owner and elected their own leaders to run the farm smoothly.

Seven Commandments of Animalism were adopted:

*Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

*No animal shall wear clothes.

*No animal shall sleep in a bed.

*No animal shall drink alcohol.

*No animal shall kill any other animal.

*All animals are equal.

The last one being the most important of all. “All animals are equal.”

With time the animal leaders (mostly pigs) started behaving like humans. They wore clothes, carried whips and walked on two legs. The seven commandments got squeezed into single commandment:

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

A satire on “Equality”, the novel tickled my thinking cells. Putting a question mark on the fairness of the society, we see many people in democracy enjoying more privileges than others. Those in power try to exploit weaker sections. Money and other privileges are the authority of those few. Where is equality?

The whole concept of equality is faulty. No two people are alike. With the difference in personalities, surroundings, innate qualities together with position and authority, how can equal rights be assured?

Let us ignore the above factors and consider the right to equality valid.

Right to equality in “The Constitution says that the government shall not deny to any person in India equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. It means that the laws apply in the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. This is called the rule of law.”

It has been 71 years of Independence and we’re still struggling(?) to find what the meaning of ‘Right To Equality’ is. Though working continuously towards achieving the dream of equality, some verdicts are taking long time to get delivered.
Latest in the row-
In India, making sexual preferences was not free till the verdict by Supreme Court on 6th September’ 18.
Some countries gave this privilege to its natives a few years back and many are still struggling to find the credibility of queer human colours. Equality?

Aditi Kapur's avatar

By Aditi Kapur

A freelance writer, blogger and influencer. My blog is a reflection of my thoughts. Join me in my journey to explore a diverse range of concepts.

115 comments

  1. No two person are born equal.If God meant them to be equal he would have made them so.Whats important is they get all benefits of equality under constitution.Then what they do with it depends on their own work and will.

  4. Hi Aditi, Enjoyed reading your post. Animal Farm is an interesting read. My view, being different is not necessarily being unequal. Equal rights to all is a fundamental way of thinking. But excess, unchecked power corrupts, so decentralization of power and a process to keep checks is essential anywhere.

  5. Just read ‘Animal farm’ about a week back. I could totally relate to what all your wrote. There is a reason why it is a classic beyond timelines. It is really relevant in today’s times.
    #MyFriendAlexa #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia

  6. Completely agree. Equality is not justice. I often draw the analogy of a race while tskIng about it. Like a person like me with little or no inheritance but good schooling that parents could afford starts a little ahead of the starting line, a poor village boy startts way behind the starting line and say an ambni’s son starts 50km after the finishing line. Will providing equal opportunity to all 3 of us be really equal?

    1. I agree that power can’t be distributed, it has to be forcibly acquired. And ‘some are more equal than others’ is the ultimate reality.

  7. Very well written. We all want to be treated as equals but it’s just a concept, it’s application is next to impossible.

  8. You are right you know. A society really can’t achieve absolute equality, because most of us are striving for personal betterment and variety is the spice of life. While I do admire your candor in calling a spade a spade the idea behind democracy is to strive towards the unachievable. We aim for equality so that things become at least bearable and there is lesser exploitation of the weaker ones among us.

  9. This is a well written post.
    However, more often than not we sometimes forget that each and everyone of us are different in a way and that is not a bad thing at all.

    Take Care and keep writing. 🙂

  10. I was always filled with sorrow whenever I read this coz of boxer. It’s hard not to find parallels in current political scenario. Great post!

  14. Equality is a myth. There can never be equality. We, humans, thrive on one-upmanship and will always topple those who try to climb the same ladder as ours. You refreshed my memories of Animal Farm..thank you 🙂

    1. As a child, I was least interested in this book. The reason being little knowledge and awareness. Today, I can truly appreciate the beauty of the book.

  16. As human no two of are equal, and we are not supposed to be…but the provision of getting equal opportunities and equal representation that is what makes sense.
    that was an interesting story Aditi.
    #mannreads

  17. True, no two people are alike. But we should workaround to treat everyone equal. Different people will have different opinion about it. Interesting read.

  18. I have read this book and it is one of my most favorite one. Thanks for sharing such a lovely analogy and analysis. It is very apt and beautifully articulated. The message is profoundly presented.

    Yes in the book, along with the message that is delivered, it is the characters and the context that is so magically composed, and top of it the simplicity of word and the narration so magnetic with so much care little details. Working on personification and building the analogy and playing the perfect balancing act is what sets the novel from rest, and it in fact one of best ever written book.

    Indeed it applies so much to our society today and when we look at the politicians and the leaders governing our country and what they preach and what they follow, the chasm is self explanatory. This new judgement after one and half century is definitely landmark and will set the ball rolling for much more to come from the judiciary in this country, unfortunately the work which ought to have been done by the elected government is being forced to taken by the judges. That’s sad irony we are trapped.
    😀

  19. Animal Farm is a satire which can be relevant in any point of time. Although equality is a topic for much needed debate, I believe we can bring it by treating every one equal. After all, no govt, no law can bring equality unless we get rid of our prejudice

    1. True, but the man is after all an animal. Whatever he says or writes, he’s one of the most selfish creatures. A systematic frame of rules is needed to make equality a reality.

  21. No two people are alike and they do not start as equals. There are different circumstances for each one of us. But we should get level playing field.

  22. Animal Farm is an ageless piece of literature.
    Equality, is interpreted by different people, mostly based on their convenience, in different ways. Thus leading to disputes and struggles.
    Hard hitting post Aditi. Kudos to you.

  23. The part that is even more interesting is the difference between equality and equity. You have touched upon a really interesting, seemingly simple and yet complex topic here. The thoughts of Plato on this are most interesting.

  24. No two individuals can be equal but at least we can try. Interesting read and good to know your thoughts about this topic.

  25. Very well written. I will definitely read that book.
    #sindhureads #myfriendalexa

  26. Equality is a wrong word in itself. It doesn’t apply anywhere. People use it as per their convenience. Equality can exist in smaller groups only for a limited time just like these farm animals until some of the group members decide to change the meaning of equality. I haven’t read this book, but would love to read the author’s take on equality.

  27. Very well explained. Animal farm was many things – a satire, a warning, a premonition.

    Sadly, we haven’t really learned from the book and have pretty much followed in its path.

  28. I must read that book! I was thinking about adding it to my TBR, now I know I must! I don’t understand equality, it just keeps changing over generations!

  29. Ah! Lovely writeup on a great topic. Yes, no two humans are the same. Yes, we are disorderly and need to be whipped into shape. I once had an hour long argument with the ex-election commissioner of India, Mr. T.N. Seshan about what are rules and laws. He said rules and laws are unassuming, impartial, and most importantly unfeeling. I argued back saying the same law cannot be applied in equal doses to two different people in a society. Whenever I read Animal Farm. I remember that argument with that great man.

    All that being said, given our deep rooted traditionalism and the fact that PRIDE rights have been approved in certain first world countries only recently, I would say this is a crowning achievement of our country’s and countrymen’s evolving mindset.

  30. very well written post and I really impressed the way you expressed your thoughts. no doubt equality is basic human right. looking forward to reading more from you.

  31. Interesting read. Definitely Animal farm is going to be in my TBR list. Keep writing!

  33. Yes, and we call our country a democratic! If only some privileged few are going to get all the rights and the rest, none, what use is it all? ANd, its 71 years since Independence. Ironical, isn’t it?

  34. The Animal Farm is indeed a gem! And I loved how you brought the concept into our current scenario.

  37. Sad to say I started Animal Farm manyyears ago but dint complete it. This writeup is thought provoking, yes equality is an illusion in our current times

    Namratha from #firstgreenstep #MyFriendAlexa

  39. Amazing and informative post. Animal farm is so inspiring. Very well written. Great thoughts.

  40. Animal farm is an allegorical novel based on russian revolution. Have read it and found it really good. Nice to see how you used it in the Indian landscape. Cool!

  42. Providing equal rights and equal opportunities is in the hands of the law, but making those rights functional is our responsibility as well. Interesting read Aditi.

  44. No matter how much we try, we cannot ever be equal. There is always a difference. But the idea of equality begs us to consider each other as equal. instead, if we all just accept the differences, and understand the sameness – we might have a better chance at peace ❤
    I quite liked the story and the analogy.

    1. We are born different but here the point is about privileges. Celebrate diversity but don’t discriminate in terms of rights.

  46. That’s a smart way of putting a point across, love the connection with Animal Farm. The concept of equality is just for namesake, and especially in countries like ours – it is more of a saleable hot cake for politicos.

  49. Simply LOVED the reference to Animal Farm! Thank you for writing this brilliant post on the recent 377 verdict, it leaves one with loads of food for thought. #MyFriendAlexa #MayuraReads

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