In Animal Farm, George Orwell warns how power will often lead to corruption. Napoleon was placed in a position of power after Major died, and he slowly starts to lavish in his power and become addicted to the lush life of a dictator. When Napoleon first becomes a leader, he expresses how everyone will work equally, but as his reign goes on, he shortens the work hours. At the very end of the novel, the observing animals even start to see that pig and man had become the same. The irony present in the above example, illuminates how regardless of how much a ruler promises to maintain equality and fairness, the position of power that they hold, will corrupt them.
Another way he is valued by waking up early to go to work on the farm and always says “I will work harder”. By him doing this shows his determination to work and help out the animal’s cause. The downside to Boxer is he thinks, “Napoleon is always right”, and he is not a very intelligent animal because he has been incapable of learning the alphabet past the letter D. Even when
The loyal servants of Napoleon contributed actively towards his takeover, while the working class, through gullibility, naivety and unwillingness to question authority, condemned themselves to Napoleon’s oppression. In the novel, the animals were responsible for their own enslavement differently. Boxer’s passivity and blind faith played a major role in the pigs maintaining their position. To begin, he believed in every ideas and decisions proposed by Napoleon. For instance, upon announcing the cancellation of Sunday morning meetings and that Napoleon will be the deciding voice and will make all decisions without the input of other animals, some
122) It’s shown here that Benjamin uses his skill and shows all the animals the truth, completely changing their minds from being happy to complete terror. If Benjamin utilized this ability and wasn’t completely apathetic about what Animal Farm had turned into, he could’ve easily stepped up with every animal on his side and prevented the corruption of the farm. Another example of how Benjamin’s extreme pessimism and inability to see past bad things, poisons his chance to influence the animals again happens after his only friend Boxer, dies. “Only Benjamin was much the same as ever, except for being a little greyer about the muzzle and since Boxer’s death, more morose and taciturn than ever.” (pg. 128) Even after Boxer, who’s described as an animal Benjamin’s devoted to, dies, he still shows indifference.
Taking this into account, however, I can affirm that Napoleon, a main character in George Orwell’s Animal Farm is not an efficient leader for three reasons. First of all, Napoleon oppresses the animals by force and fear. Some of the animals question his way of governing, but no one can declare so because they are afraid of his crucial punishments. Cunning Napoleon establishes a formidable army which consists of nine dogs. He himself raises these dogs from puppies, separating them from other animals so that they will be his obedient soldiers.
Mr. Whymper, a human business partner with Napoleon, often came to the farm for commerce. Orwell depicts, “The animals watched his coming and going with a kind of dread, and avoided him as much as possible” (Orwell 65). Even though there was limited interaction with Mr. Whymper, his presence caused distress among the animals. The pigs stressed the belief that all humans were brutal, ruthless masters. When the pigs suddenly declared that humans were not a threat, the feeling of loathing never left the animals.
For instance, Napoleon chose to fight the humans as a sign of strength and power. The animals won, but they still did not know the real reasons behind things because Napoleon just lied to them. Moreover, Napoleon executed the animals that betrayed him and supposedly helped Snowball on the other farm. This was completely unfair, and after the exile of the various animals, some started to notice that everyone on the farm was being treated without any respect whatsoever. “They were executed immediately, and fresh precautions for Napoleon’s safety were taken.” (Orwell 95) Even though Napoleon was already guarded by vicious dogs, more precautionary measures were taken.
I also wanted to show that this book models a communist environment. The animals work hard for all, but their work is only enjoyed for the benefits of a few. All the money, rewards, and food go to the top, and the animals are left with just scraps. Once you control your people, you can do anything you want, and that is what Napoleon did. He manipulated the animals into thinking that his ways were best, and that they were living luxurious lives.
Have you ever lived in a society that promised many promises but always broke them? Have you ever been lied to? Animal Farm shows how the societies and rulers oppress their citizens without the citizens realising that. It also shows how rulers will always change when they are in power and only work for their personal privilege. In Animal Farm, George Orwell argues that Napoleon has solidified his power by using fear mongering, manipulation, and scapegoating.
Animal Farm is a well written novel explaining a well thought out story, has many references to real world people and events, explains class and communism in a unique way, and has had reviews done by many critics. Animal Farm’s story takes place in a farm run by Mr. Jones, a harsh farmer who is neglectful of his farm animals. This neglect sparks a secret meeting held by Old Major, a prized boar nearing the end of his life. Old Major explains to the other animals about a dream he dreamt of which animals would one-day rule the world instead of humans. This idea of his led to the overthrowing of Mr. Jones, and a new era led by the animals.