Literacy In George Orwell's Animal Farm

Literacy is the foundation where the solving of social problems can be constructed. It is crucial for a person to read, write, and comprehend information if they want to function in a community. The majority of those who are illiterate can be linked with poor paying jobs and bad working conditions. Yet, those who have the necessary skills for human development have a source of power on their hands. If one chooses to use their power, they have a chance to transform the lives of many. Would any individual pass up an opportunity to help another? In George Orwell’s satirical beast fable Animal Farm, Benjamin, the old intellectual donkey, hides his abilities to read and write which in turn makes him responsible for the failure of Animal Farm. Donkeys have always been known to be the stubborn type, and Benjamin stubbornly refuses to support the rebellion. After
Due to his old age, Benjamin knows what lies ahead yet refuses to speak on the subject. Having past experiences stuck in his memories, Benjamin realizes that the so called take over of the animals is just another phase that will blow over. In the text the old donkey states, “Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey…”(Orwell 47). This reply shows that the animal has been around for many years and has seen history constantly repeat itself. By being high in age, one would assume Benjamin would use his knowledge of past experiences to help the animals see what their future holds, however, this is not the case. After Napoleon erases Snowball from the picture, he announces to the animals that the windmill shall be built. Throughout the construction of the windmill positions of power start to take place. The animals begin to see a change in the pigs, as well as a change in the seven commandments. Unfortunately, the animals continue to let the pigs take over until finally Clover, the