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Napoleon's Consolidation Of Power In Animal Farm

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The animals in Animal Farm decide to rebel against the humans from their cruel and unfair ways. The pig Old Major persuaded them to rebel for the new government "Animalism". The pigs, most notably Napoleon and Snowball, are very persuasive and can utilize publicity and manipulation to achieve their personal goals. In addition, they seem to take advantage of the fact that the other animals are ignorant and highly dependent on authority. I'm not sure if the pigs are really "good" leaders in the sense that they are moral and just. Perhaps a different adjective would be more accurate. Napoleon seems to be the true leader of Animal Farm - he's the one who gives the inspirational speeches (besides the speech Old Major made), rallies the animals to revolt in support of "Animalism", and creates the illusion that Snowball is causing many of their misfortune. He also uses …show more content…

They are able to mask their consolidation of power into making others believe that they are "good leaders." Through the work of pigs like Squealer, Napoleon is able to convince the animals of his authenticity of leadership as well as how he is looking out for the animals' interest. In reality, Napoleon and the other pigs are only convinced of securing and enhancing their own power. Yet, they are able to persuade the animals that strengthening the pigs' power is aligned with the advancement of the cause of all animals in the pursuit of animalism tenets. This is effective leadership from the most pragmatic point of view because it is able to secure one's own position with the security of public support or silencing the power of dissent. In the end, I am not sure if Orwell sees this as necessarily "good," but rather a statement on how modern leadership is effective in pursuing its own agenda while being able to convince the body politic that its presence actually advances its own

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