Textured Text by Micah Frye

mf1206344 — 2025-10-13 16:20:49 UTC

Animal Farm is a story of how animals overthrow their farmer, Mr. Jones, because they are sick and tired of being under his rule. The animals believe that they are better than the humans and that they are capable of running the farm by themselves. They also believe that they can do it more efficiently than Mr. Jones. The pigs gradually become in charge of the other animals and take over the farm for themselves. They even come up with a set of rules known as the Seven Commandments. The most important commandment was knowing that "four legs good, two legs bad." "Four legs good, two legs bad was inscribed on the end wall of the barn, above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters." (Orwell, page 34).

mf1206344 — 2025-10-14 13:12:22 UTC

One major theme found in Animal Farm is control. The pigs, especially Napolean and Squealer, are the ones who take power for themselves. The whole reason Old Major (an older pig who sadly passed away) led the animals on the farm to overthrow Mr. Jones was because he wanted everyone to have a better life, and didn't want them to have to obey a ruler. Unfortunately, life got worse, and rules became more strict. Napolean became the new leader and forced all of his old companions to overwork themselves; while he was living a fabulous life inside of the farm house. This theme of control is found in our world today. One example of this is how influencers on social media use their power to convince people to do something wrong, but are disguised as doing something right.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-14 13:17:34 UTC

mf1206344 — 2025-10-14 23:30:09 UTC

Companion Text: Fahrenheit 451

This book shows the theme of "control" as well. "How would it be if, well, maybe I quit my job awhile?... You should have seen her, Millie!... You weren't there, you didn't see. There must be something in books." (Bradbury, page 48). Guy Montag is being forced to burn down everyone's home. At first he was being controlled by the Captain, now his own thoughts are trying to control him.

Similarities: In Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451, the leaders become very controlling. They gain this power by doing everything "behind the scenes," so the others don't realize that they are being manipulated.
Differences: In Fahrenheit 451 the characters are being forced to do things to keep everyone equal. There is not one person, or a group of people in charge of everyone. There are firemen that carry out the actions of burning down houses, but they are just as unintelligent as everyone else. In Animal Farm the animals are being forced to work so their leader, Napolean, can have trouble-free living.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-15 13:07:00 UTC

This is the cartoon version of the movie Animal Farm, made in 1954. It is very similar to the book, with only a few differences. It puts the story in a better way for even children to begin to understand the important themes of control, rebellion and power. It portrays how the animals begin to change and how some even turn into what used to be their enemies, humans.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-15 13:26:26 UTC

This video shows how Hitler promised his people things that he knew they wanted just to get them on his side. For example, Hitler promised jobs for many people. Once he gained his power, he began to use it for evil. Everyone thought he was an amazing leader; therefore, people always thought he was right. They were blinded by all the "incredible" things he accomplished for the people of Germany, that they didn't realize they were being controlled by him. This is exactly what happened in Animal Farm. The animals always believed Napolean was right about everything, to the point that they did not even realize he was controlling them.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-15 13:38:20 UTC

One of the lines in the song Control by Zoe Wees is "I don't wanna lose control / Nothin' I can do anymore." This line is saying that there is nothing she can do to gain her control back from anxiety. This is how the animals felt in Animal Farm. They knew that their life was worse than what it was under Jones' rule, but if they were to say something to Squealer, he would either talk them out of it or they would be killed.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-15 14:03:08 UTC

This art piece shows the idea of control. The person on the ground has no power. He is being controlled by the police officer. This adds a new perspective because it makes you feel sad for the animals on the farm, or the people in Montag's society. They both had no power in the situation that they were in. If anyone tried to speak up, they would be in serious trouble, and have to face major consequences, just like the person in the painting.

mf1206344 — 2025-10-15 16:06:00 UTC

Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451 both show the importance of truth. The authors show the importance of truth by showing readers what would happen if no one in a society knew the truth. Both novels also show when one person has too much power, they become very controlling. Leaders in Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451, manipulate others to get them to listen to them. Lastly, both novels view human nature as something evil. The animals view Mr. Jones and the other workers as awful human beings who are not qualified enough to take care of the animals. To back that up, the author also portrayed Mr. Jones as a drunk, and his workers did not come to feed the animals as often as they needed to be fed. In Fahrenheit 451, no one could be themselves. If they wanted to be their own person, and not live and think just like everyone else, their house and everything inside would be burned down.