Napoleon Animal Farm Essay

Animal Farm
By: George Orwell | Marcus D’Angelo | 10-12-16

Among readers of Animal Farm by George Orwell, there is often a debate whether Napoleon is a natural born leader or a raging tyrant. His actions and his attitudes relate to both. He supports the animals, helps them in many ways and is very kind to them. In contrast, he does not let them voice their opinions and only he is allowed to make the decisions. The animals seemingly worship him, but possibly; don’t like his ways of ruling and are jealous of his power. Napoleon changes the Commandments without any input or advice from the other animals. The original Commandments read: “1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings,

The animals agree that anyone who assisted Snowball deserved to be killed as traitors. Eventually, the animals realize that Napoleon was getting out of hand. Napoleon began to change the Commandments to make things easier in his life. “...he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in.” (66). Squealer and Napoleon wanted to sleep in beds and have their own private room so he modified the law to allow them to do so. He wanted to wear clothes, so he changed the Commandment to allow him and the other pigs to wear clothes. But these small changes were not enough for Napoleon. He wants more power. Endless power leads to corruption, as seen by Napoleon 's past Commandment modifications. “All animals are equal” was the “golden rule” but the same pattern returns once Napoleon changes it to justify his tyranny by adding “but some are more equal than others.” These changes in the Commandments convey Napoleon 's abusive power. All of the animals finally had enough. “But it appears to me that that wall looks different. Are the Seven Commandments the same as they used to be…?” (134). Napoleon thought the animals were too naive to realize the changes he was making; as well as they were too weak to do anything about them. Sadly, despite all the good intentions Napoleon had for the animals his legacy was that of a selfish