Examples Of Corruption In Animal Farm By George Orwell

Corruption had been present in human society since the beginning of time. Dishonesty, crime, exploitation, extortion, nepotism, demoralization… all contributing factors of corruption. In the book Animal Farm by George Orwell the author links power with corruption through the action of the animal leaders. The pig leaders promised a different farm where every animal was equal, but in the end, power corrupted and the pigs reverted back to the abusive ways of Farmer Jones. Similar to that of Animal farm, there are numerous examples of corruption that are present in modern day and past society.Corruption has a way of consuming any individual with power and bring forth the ugliest sides of people and animals alike. Both animals and humans can be

Near the end of Animal Farm, “The creatures outside looked from pig to man… it was impossible to say which was which” (141, Orwell). In the end the pigs minds became so corrupted, they became what they feared and hated the most. Similar to the prison experiment, the power that was given to the pigs got into their heads and they felt like they needed to become something the other animals would fear in order to reach their full extent of power, leading them to instead become corrupt. “The Stanford Prison Experiment was a study of the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard” (Gross, R) during the experiment the students assigned as guards abused their power. The students were so taken into their roles that they believed them and embodied them. The power affected the students and pigs leading them to abusing others ‘below’ them and abusing the power that they took for themselves. George Orwell is trying to convey the message that one can be gravely affected by power, leading them to become things they would have never become, and do things they would never do without its driving

The animals heard rumors that “The pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing-room as a recreation room, but also slept in beds”(66, Orwell). The pigs had deceived all of the other animals by breaking all of the rules the animals had decided on in the past. Putting themselves on a pedestal, they believed they could do anything with their power without consequence or remorse. During the Russian Revolution, “Stalin ruled by terror and with a totalitarian grip in order to eliminate anyone who might oppose him” (History.com Staff). The power Stalin had brought out the worst of him driving him to easily commit terrible acts. He controlled with fear and persecuted many innocents, these actions most likely driven by his greed for more power and the fact that he had so much of it at his fingertips, just like the pigs. Bringing out the worst in people and animals alike, power has its influence.

Power and control can have a horrendous negative affects on any leader. Power can undoubtedly corrupt minds, as demonstrated through the pigs of Animal Farm, Stalin, and the Stanford Prison Experiment. Abraham Lincoln said “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power”. Abe had it right, someone's true character will eventually come through when given power and control, that is why anyone must be so careful with it, no matter