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Animal Farm Character Analysis

Decent Essays

George Orwell is a celebrated novelist well known for his political satire in the fairy tale, "Animal Farm." The theme of power in the book is recurring and greatly present throughout the piece. Through the use of characterization, conflict, and irony, Orwell shows that those in the position of power can become like it's predecessor. Orwell demonstrates that those in power can become like their predecessor through characterization. One example comes from page 107: "At about half past nine Napoleon, wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. Jones's, was distinctly seen to emerge from the back-door, gallop rapidly round the yard, and disappear indoors again." The quote above shows the effects of alcohol on Napoleon, whom not …show more content…

From page 84 of chapter seven, when Napoleon begins to execute traitors: "When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice, Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess." This captures the external conflict when Napoleon punishes other animals for an alliance with Snowball. The punishment is nothing but cruel, the equivalent of a laryngectomy performed by unqualified surgeons; Using unsanitized teeth as their medical instrument, without anesthetics. The brutal killings reflect the sad deaths animals during Jones' reign. That similarity shows how those in power can become like their predecessors. Another quote detailing conflict comes from page 128: "He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm, and was already making arrangements to send Boxer to be treated in the hospital at Willingdon." This quote captures the external conflict when Boxer fell ill and weak after over exertion. However, Squealer's words of reassurance are all farce, for in actuality Boxer is being sent to be executed. Napoleon, after-seeing Boxer's usefulness wane, proceeded to sell him off to a butcher, an action foretold by Old Major, only it was supposed to be at the hands of Jones. This is the epitome of Napoleon's degeneration to a

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