When historically did the sociological analysis of class and inequality begin quizlet?

Russian peasants in a Moscow market, 1900

In Animal Farm, Orwell uses the animals and their actions to make the reader think about equality and inequality. Before 1917, the majority of Russian people suffered from great inequality - they had far less money and food than the ruling classes.

Likewise, before the rebellion in Animal Farm Mr Jones takes everything that the animals have away from them. After the Rebellion the animals are free from the tyranny of Mr Jones and seek to establish equality amongst themselves.

One of the Commandments is 'All animals are equal'. However, this equality is short-lived and the pigs begin to bend the rules until inequality returns to the farm.

How is the theme of equality and inequality shown in the novel?

In Animal Farm, Orwell explores equality and inequality through:

• the inequality between the animals and mankind
• the equality that the animals seek to establish after the rebellion
• the inequality that begins again after the pigs take control

Analysing the evidence

How does Orwell explore equality and inequality in Animal Farm?

• The inequality that exists between the animals and Mr Jones - Mr Jones spends his time drinking whilst the animals go unfed. He is the only one who profits from their hard work.
• When the animals chase Mr Jones away, there is a chance for equality after the rebellion - 'All animals are equal' is one of the Commandments the animals decide on. There are hints that this sort of equality might be hard to establish - the animals aren’t sure whether to include the rats in their comradeship and the pigs clearly have a better quality of life than the other animals, even under the rule of Mr Jones.
• The chance for equality is lost when the pigs come to power - they start to change the rules, they take more food and enjoy more leisure time until life on the farm is filled with just as much inequality as before the rebellion.