When in a position of power, one’s intentions, thoughts and actions can become corrupt. In the following statement: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” John Dalberg-Acton outlines that the more power someone possesses, the more destructive their forces tend to be. In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, we can specifically refer to a pig named Napoleon who takes charge of the farm and uses his power to his advantage and personal benefit. As Napoleon gained power, he grew narcissistic, used tactics and altered The Seven Commandments, all leading to an ultimate form of corruption.
Napoleon used his power selfishly, making sure that he was a top priority regardless of the corrupt consequences it had on the other animals. It is revealed that Napoleon had taken the extra milk from the cows and it was mixed into the pig’s daily mash. The milk, amongst apples were being distributed to just the pigs, and not equally to all of the animals. This act of selfishness, orchestrated by Napoleon is disguised as a necessity, due to the pigs being the “brainworkers” of the farm. “Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig” (Orwell 23). Squealer is able to convince the animals that the pigs deserve the extra milk and apples, proving the selfishness of the pigs, specifically Napoleon in order to gain power. To