Conclusion
In the above way, Animal Farm represents a narrative of a
post-colonial nation that dismantles the imperial powers but becomes
destabilised under the sway of cultural hegemony. The analysis breaks
animal time into colonial and post-colonial phases. In the first phase,
anti-colonial nationalism and dreams of a just homeland inspire the
animals to be free and autonomous. They fight for that dream and become
independent. During this time, a stark binary exists—the colonial
(men)/the colonised (animals). Based on this binary, an anti-colonial
movement arises and materialises the dream of an independent nation.
However, in the post-colonial era, more binaries emerge the rulers (the
pigs)/the ruled (animals), pro-/anti-government animals, men-oriented
/anti-men and neutral/concerned. The nationalist leaders follow men and
become transculturated. The common animals divide into several groups,
either remaining culturally static or transformed. Those who change,
some become cultural monsters, opportunists or xenophiles, and some
become ambivalent and passive social actors. In this way, Animal
Farm uncovers a post-national society’s operation along with various
opposing and interactive power webs, flows and axes. The novel
represents that cultural hegemony dominates the national consciousness
in various ways that eventually destabilise the nation, displacing
authentic nationhood.
Acknowledgements : This article is an updated version of a
conference paper presented at the First National Seminar on ‘English
Studies in Bangladesh,’ held on February 14, 2012, at International
Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Conflict of Interest : There is no conflict of interest in
writing and publishing the article.
Funding: No funding has been available for the paper.