The Power Relation Analysis On Animal Farm

This thesis is based on the panopticon image in disciplinary mechanism and power andknowledge as well as game of truth in the discourse mechanism of Michel Foucault’s powertheory to interpret the concrete power arrangement in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm.To some extent, this thesis aims to respond to the hot development of power theory from aglobal view, especially in the unpredictable political situation nowadays.The first chapter gives the readers a brief introduction of George Orwell and his mainworks. With hot researches on Orwell and his works done in the world, scholars pay moreattention to Orwell’s works. His Animal Farm reflects much power relations in the Frenchphilosopher Michel Foucault’s power theory. The combination provides thematicalsignificance to the understanding of the novel.The second chapter focuses on the analyses of Animal Farm from the view ofdisciplinary mechanism. The prison images, like the Barn, the Windmill and the Manor, arecalled panopticon in Foucault’s power theory. These images are all used for the operation ofdisciplinary mechanism. Therefore, using tactics is a significant step to secure the smoothexercise of power. A series of measures such as confinement, examination, normalization andalienation come to the fore. Power alienates and watches animals at every moment. Just asFoucault says,“power relation is everywhere.” Each abnormal action on the farm can be seenas illegal.The third chapter discusses the relation between power and knowledge. Through theanalyses of discourse of Napoleon, Snowball, Boxer and other animals, the normal ones andabnormal ones are divided by the judgment of the so-called truth. Those who have the powerof discourse have the privilege of issuing orders.“Animalism” becomes a tool to constrainanimals to the farm. Those who have knowledge are regarded as intellectuals. Animal Farm iscontrolled by knowledgeable pigs who keep watch on their members without any right ofoppression.The fourth chapter analyzes subject of power. Power is on its moving all the time, whichmeans that power controller must take some measures to make sure its subject position.Animal Farm witnesses the processes of subject shift twice. From humans to animals, poweris shifted when animals finally wake from the calling of Old Major. After the establishment of new farm, animals have their consciousness and uphold a new dream. With Squealer’s honeywords, animals realize that their hard work is for a better future. They subvert the governmentof humans but only reconstruct a new power institution.The last chapter draws a conclusion and elaborates significance of this research onAnimal Farm. This research can find its very expression in the thesis which helps to provehow power features have been applied. What’s more, the research works out additionalthematic and inspiring significance in the novel.