Control “People in power need to control others in order to maintain power. One of the ways to do that is to take that which is threatening and demonize it.” - Jasmine Guy. One way to control others is by corrupting power. In the book Animal Farm by George Orwell, a wise pig named Napoleon controls a farm consisting of animal who dislike humans. The animals of the farm follow the principles of Animalism, never do anything resembling a human. When Napoleon takes control of the farm, the way of life for all the animals changes. Napoleon is able to maintain control throughout the story by being praised for intelligence, frightening the animals of the consequences of betrayal, and by taking advantage of the poorly educated animals. Sometimes …show more content…
Napoleon has a private force of nine dogs that he uses to punish criminals. The dogs intimidate the other animals by their ferocious actions. “... they had come to a time when no dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes.” (pg. 95) The use of the dogs to keep order is successfully proven as the animals think twice before they act and express their views. The weak minded can be easily tricked into anything. The animals are often suspicious of the commandments of Animalism being changed, but then are convinced there has been no significant change. “You did not suppose, surely, that there was ever a ruling against beds? A bed merely means a place to sleep in. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed, properly regarded. The rule was against sheets, which are a human invention” (pg. 80) The pigs justify their action of sleeping in human beds by explaining what a bed is. The commandment was changed from “No animal shall sleep in a bed” to “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” Squealer was able to convince the animals out of suspicion. As a result of corrupting power, Napoleon successfully maintains control throughout