Abstract: This paper aims to study George Orwell’s Animal Farm from Foucault’s viewpoints about bio-power, discourse analysis and knowledge and their interaction and interrelation. Through analyzing the relationship between power and knowledge to discuss the leadership of pigs and the change of The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm. Through analyzing the relationship between power and discourse to discuss Squealer’s discourse in Animal Farm and its influence on the process of building dictatorship. Through analyzing the relationship between discourse and knowledge to discuss the origin, spread and manipulation of The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm.The purpose of this paper is to reveal the formation of power and remind readers to avoid being controlled by discourse and knowledge of those who want to implement totalitarian control.

Key words: George Orwell; Animal Farm; bio-power; discourse analysis; epistemology

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Animal Farm-1

1.2 Introduction to George Orwell-2

1.3 The Study of Animal Farm Home and Abroad-3

2. Michel Foucault and his Viewpoints-4

2.1 Michel Foucault-5

2.2 Foucault’s Viewpoint about Bio-Power-5

2.3 Foucault’s Viewpoint about Discourse-7

2.4 Foucault’s Viewpoint about Epistemology-8

3. Relationship between Power and Knowledge in Animal Farm-9

3.1 Relationship between Power and Knowledge in Foucault’s Analysis-9

3.2 The Leadership of Pigs in Animal Farm-10

3.3 The Change of the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm-11

4. Relationship between Power and Discourse in Animal Farm-14

4.1 Relationship between Power and Discourse in Foucault’s Analysis-14

4.2 Squealer’s Discourse in Animal Farm-15

5. Relationship between Discourse and Knowledge in Animal Farm-18

5.1 Relationship between Discourse and Knowledge in Foucault’s Analysis-18

5.2 The Origin, Spread and Manipulation of The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm-19

6. Conclusion-20

References-23