George Orwell's 'Animal Farm: Power Changes People'

Animal Farm The theme of George Orwell’s well-known novel, Animal Farm, is “power changes people”. The movie version of Animal Farm is very much like the novel in that the theme remains the same, but there are some differences that give readers a new perspective on power. The book’s theme of “power changes people” is shown through Napoleon, the pig. When the animals are first freed from Mr. Jones and human corruption, the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, take it upon themselves to lead the rest of Manor Farm. “The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume leadership” (Orwell 13). It seemed as though the pigs wanted what was best for the others but

The movie is narrated by Jessie, the dog, who did not play a big part in the book. Jessie gives viewers a new perspective so that they can see the events that portray the theme of the book from a character who is involved in the action rather than an outsider. The power shifted more quickly in the movie than in the book which allows for more action and events that were not in the book, such as the way that Old Major died. The events that were added help to keep viewers interested in the movie as well as develop the theme in a way that was not seen in the book. In the movie, all of the events that develop the theme of “power changes people”, are seen as a flashback so that viewers are allowed more of a backstory and are able to see what happens to the characters afterwards, while the book just gives readers a basic understanding of what happens before the action and no insight as to what happens to the characters after. Both the Animal Farm book and movie teach their audiences that power is not always a good thing and that too much power can change those that are in control, but the differences shown in the movie and not in the book, give viewers a more detailed knowledge of the