What would you do if you were given absolute control over a nation- Make it a place people will be happy to call home or strip the land to support yourself? The allegorical story Animal Farm (1944) by George Orwell, written at a time of great social change and totalitarianism ideas, explores the idea of human nature and also the positive and negative ways it can be expressed through people. Two characters that reveal some truth about human nature and existence are Napoleon, the manipulative pig, and Boxer, the naïve horse. Napoleon and Boxer are polar opposite examples within the spectrum of human nature. the former showing …and the latter… (just short summaries of your overall points here. Napoleon is a great example of how evil and cruel …show more content…
Furthermore, Napoleon gives the other animals the impression he was the sole leader of the rebellion on Animal farm and makes Snowball -a leader who wanted what was best for the animals- seem like an enemy who was in cahoots with Farmer Jones since long before the animals took over the farm. Napoleon and Squealer (another “fat cat” pig.) always put the blame on Snowball whenever something went wrong in the farm to avoid having the blame fall on them. Napoleon is an exemplary example of just how selfish and hypocritical people can be in furthering their own aims because he continued to subtly but purposely change the seven rules put in place as the pillars of animalism. For example, Napoleon and the other pigs move into Farmer Jones’s house and sleep in his bed after commanding “No animal shall sleep in a bed”, so he changes the commandment to read “no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets”.
In Animal Farm, the leader Napoleon goes from being a decent leader that doesn’t have any intention to hurt his followers, to “Napoleon demanded whether any other animals had anything to confess. The three hens who had been the ringleaders in the attempted rebellion over the eggs now came forward and stated that
Napoleon states that the milk and apples will benefit the animals of the farm because they are keeping the leaders healthy. Napoleon further states that his actions are not selfish at all. However this is ironic because Napoleon put his needs above the other animals on the farm, therefore making him greedy. Napoleon’s greed causes the animals on the farm to rebel against him. During this rebellion, many animals are executed and Napoleon’s government begins to alternate, turning the Animal Farm back into Manor Farm.
Napoleon made a substantial impact on the way the animals reacted to their new hardships. The pigs, including Napoleon, are said to be the most intelligent animals on the farm, but unlike the others, Napoleon uses it to manipulate the
Napoleon the pig is disgustingly evil, his hatred for humans drives him to the extent to become a dictator and he commits many crimes against his own comrades. Old Major, who was the original ruler of Manor Farm, passed away and soon Napoleon became the leader by deceiving the animals. One of the evil crimes that Napoleon committed was when Napoleon takes nine puppies away from their parents and begins raising them and no one knows why but during that time he taught them through cruelty and continued to do that until they were fully grown, then he suddenly brings them back to chase away one of the main ruler Snowball.
In her critically acclaimed novel One Corpse Too Many, author Ellis Peters wrote, “All of the things of the wild have their proper uses. Only misuse makes them evil.” The possession and usage of power is an especially slippery slope. In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, a main recurring theme revolves around power and how those who hold it will ultimately fall into corruption. The desire for power stems from greed, but power also fuels greed.
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.
Napoleon who was in control in Animal farm is similar to Joseph Stalin. One similarity between Napoleon and Stalin is they would eliminate anyone who would disagree with them or rebel against their rules. In the book Animal Farm Napoleon gets rid of Snowball because they didn't agree on what to do for the farm and he was worried all the animals would side with Snowballs ideas not Napoleons. In the book it states, “They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws,” (Orwell 53). This shows that napoleon felt threatened by Snowball and was worried he would take over the farm so he used his dogs to try to kill Snowball so Napoleon could have no choice but to rule the farm.
Lord Acton, the British historian, once said, “All power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, the character Napoleon puts himself in charge. But, not only that he allows another pig, Squealer, to do his dirty work. And also uses dogs to chase his enemy, Snowball, away . In which leads to other animals not knowing that the farm is being ran the same way as when under Mr. Jones, the old farmer 's, control.
The animals start recognizing Napoleon for any good achievement done that day. For example, one of the hens recognizes Napoleon for just one stroke of good fortune. “Under the leadership of our Leader Comrade Napoleon, I have laid five eggs in six days…”(78). These poor animals are tricked into thinking that everything good that happens is due to “Comrade Napoleon's Leadership”. Every quote we see is a deeper level of corruption in Napoleon, and now, his influence on the farm is tearing what the revolution was all about.
In Animals Farm, there is a pig who’s name Napoleon. This character did not contributed to the society with his actions. In effect, he did not respect the concept of “Animalism” which is the equality of all the animals. He did many actions that broke this conception during the entire story. At the beginning, Napoleon, take the farm with Snowball when the farmer, Mr. Jones, left.
Napoleon also uses manipulation to gain and maintain a firm control by changing the Commandments for the farm in ways that work to his benefit. Squealer, Napoleon’s propaganda department, Keeps the farm animals believing in Napoleon by describing what they hear and see to make it seem harmless. Using effective tactics of fear, convincing propaganda, and manipulation, Napoleon gains and maintains control of Animal Farm. “Animal Farm” has corruption and equality in a way the animals try to succeed and achieve a goal to make the farm better. Power corrupts in “Animal Farm” because the pigs have a goal which is working together and helping one another.
Animal Farm Essay How are allegories relevant when discussing societies issues of human nature? George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm explores this question through the characters in his book. The Novel was based around people and events of the Russian revolution that occurred during 19… and revealing many truths of human nature and existence throughout the novel. George Orwell portrays his characters as animals with human traits and allows readers to infer what he is revealing about human nature through these characters.
The government told the human race that nothing is wrong, it was just the citizens’ fear of the worst. So people did not worry about their lack of food or unsafe working conditions because they had no reason to distrust the government. They never realized that their idea of a utopia slowly slipped through their grasp. Rather than maintaining utter perfection in respect of laws, politics, customs, and conditions, the government remained in oppressive societal control; everything appeared ideal, but once examined closer, the true horrors came to light.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a story about animals that rebel against their owners on a farm. They then try to solve problems on how to run a farm. One theme in this story is ”Not everyone is equal; some people believe that they are more superior than others.” This theme is demonstrated by Napoleon, he’s a dictator and makes all the rules in the farm to fit his needs. Another theme in this story is “People deserve to have their own thoughts and ideas.
Utopia to Dystopia: The Collapse of Animal Farm The attempt at creating a utopian society led the animals closer to a dystopia. The novel Animal Farm demonstrates that a fantasy paradise is unattainable and is parallel to the attempt of the Soviet Union. As leaders, the pigs paraphrased the rules, and made themselves as superior to the working class of animals. Not all the animals acknowledge the idea of a farm governed by animals and disregard the rules.