The Absolute Power Corrupted In George Orwell's Animal Farm

This was not the beginning of the Rule of Napoleon; it was supposed to be “All animals are equal;” however, it was changed to “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” Napoleon’s ultimate demise was shown through some small actions in the beginning. Power twisted Napoleon’s conscience and his morals created a monster from which many feared.

George Orwell in his novel Animal Farm explores the reality through the abuse of power using the character Napoleon. In order to gain absolute power, Napoleon eliminates any opposition, uses propaganda, and chances the commandments.

Finally, power corrupts is shown by Jones being powerful and always wanted more power by being cruel to his animals and not feeding them well enough. Napoleon chased Snowball of the farm so they would not have to compete for power. Napoleon also shows power corrupts by only caring about himself and the other pigs on the farm and was very demanding. George Orwell shows how power corrupts throughout the whole

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton) This quote is telling us that when people get into the roles of absolute power they tend to become corrupt, as a result of that power. This quote can be applied to Napoleon from the book Animal Farm by George Orwell, because at the beginning of the novel Old Major’s words inspired Napoleon. As a result, he believed that humans were evil for forcing animals to work for them and that animals should be able to live freely, not under anyone’s control; however, as the story progresses his belief changed and the animals did not get to live their utopian dream.

In chapter 7 Napoleon began punishing and executing the animals who he believed to be traitors, by forcing them to confess to “crimes” that they committed. Through this, it is obvious that although the pigs goal is to keep humans out of animal farm, and make sure that the animals are safe, it is causing a sense of fear and terror in the animals. This also shows how the animals have no freedom of

People play an enormous component in our lives and the choices we make. In George Orwell's “ Animal Farm” there are several people that show leadership and guidance. The Leaders of Animal Farm start off with good intentions, but as the story goes on it becomes obvious the leaders have grown power-hungry and have become the 'superior' animals, showing that equality does not exist. This source of power has been used by leaders at the expense of their followers for their own personal gain, like Napoleon, whose first sign of corruption occurred early in the book when he seemed to be the main leader of them all.

Some of the readers might think that it’s easy and some might think it’s hard. We all know that Napoleon finds tricking animals easy. When he wants something all he has to do is change up the rule a little. “No animal shall sleep in a bed” (Orwell, 15) This is how it should be. It is one of the original commandments. “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” (Orwell, 42) Napoleon did not inform anyone but the other pigs that they were now allowed to sleep in beds. He wanted it so he got it but he had to trick the other animals to get it. When all of the other animals saw a change in the seven commandments they were very confused to why it looked different but since they can’t read they didn’t totally understand what changed. The animals all know that Frederick the neighbour farm owner is a jerk. Since no one of the other animals are literate, Napoleon made the decision to sell the timber to Mr. Fredrick. Frederick decided to trick the animals at animal farm with fake paper notes. “Fredrick had wanted to pay for the timber with a cheque, which, it seemed, was a piece of paper with a promise to pay written upon it. But Napoleon was too clever for him.” (Orwell, 61 - 62) In this quotation you see that Frederick used his knowledge of numbers. Napoleon didn’t know that he was given fake bills. He should have listened to all of the other animals when they said that he was not the best choice. When the pigs all lied to the rest of the animals it was so bad and cruel. Boxer was getting older and he collapsed. The pigs told everyone that he was being sent to a doctor but in fact he was getting sent to an animal slaughter place. “‘Quick, quick’ he shouted ‘Come at once!’ ‘They’re taking Boxer away.’” (Orwell, 75) At first, all of the animals thought that Boxer was going somewhere safe. He actually got sent to a horse slaughtering place. Hopefully there will be better leaders in the future especially when it comes to the lives

At this there was a terrible baying sound outside and nine enormous dogs came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball,” with this ousting of Snowball, Napoleon secured his place as dictator of the animals. After securing his position Napoleon was able to gather a group of pigs together that were meant to help him govern the other animals. The pigs were placed in this position because they were considered to be the most intelligent of all the animals. Further political corruption occurred when Napoleon begins to slowly add changes to the 7 laws or commandments set up by a past leader. Because not all the animals on the farm can read it made it easy for Napoleon to change the rules ever so slightly that the changes were barely noticeable. This parallel in today’s society can be seen when comparing under privileged areas to middle class areas, for example emphasis on education. Those with less education are more easily manipulated than those with higher education. It is

Napoleon uses military force to intimidate the other animals and consolidate his power. In his supreme craftiness, Napoleon proves to be more treacherous than his counterpart, Snowball. At the regular meetings, Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches, but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. He was especially successful with the sheep. The sheep had taken to bleating “Four legs good two legs bad!” both in and out of season, and they often interrupted meetings with this. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into the chant at crucial moments in Snowball’s speeches. Also, it was observed that Napoleon had been taking the sheep aside to teach them a new song. After weeks of secret meetings, the sheep started shouting “Four legs good, two legs BETTER” and then the pigs were seen walking on their hind legs. This is a perfect example of how the pigs change the rules and bend the overall concept of Animalism to satisfy them and to make life easier for them. Also, the pigs start executing animals that don’t do what they are told. The other animals recall that it was in fact against the rules for an animal to kill another. The animals go to read over the 7 commandments to confirm their suspicions only to

Throughout all of history and fiction, one thing has stayed the same, those with power shall become corrupted by that power. In Animal Farm, by George Orwell, the author best shows that power corrupts through Napoleon's many actions. Examples of this are how at the beginning of the novel, Napoleon doesn’t do very much, just taking small things, like milk and food. Later on however, when he has more and more power, he becomes corrupted. He violates many of the earliest resolutions and eventually starts changing the seven commandments.

The seven commandments were created so that no animals would start developing human like characteristics, but Napoleon is breaking the “laws” , or the commandments, and then tweaking them to fit his needs. An example is found on page 79: “Curiously enough, Clover had not remembered that the fourth commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall, it must have done so”. This shows how manipulative and discreet Napoleon can be. It also shows how human-like and corrupt Napoleon is becoming by cheating even his most loyal followers into following him and accepting his

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test their character give them power. ”(Abraham Lincoln) In the novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell relates to this quote, when an animal revolution occurs. One animal has power over everyone, he seems to be corrupt. That one leader makes all the other animals suffer just from him being corrupt with his power.

Corruption happened throughout the book many times, and most of the time it was Napoleon’s doings. One of the most common ways Napoleon and the pigs corrupted the other animals was when they would make changes to the commandments. They ended up making small changes to some of the commandments and not following others; they also tricked the animals into believing they had always been that way. In the beginning, the seven

Napoleon used his smarts to his advantage to take over the farm. He it all planned out right from when he took the dogs away from their mother. The pig manipulated them into siding with him. Napoleon had abolished The Seven Commandments. “The truest happiness, he said, lay in working hard and living frugally.”

However, this passivity and submissiveness to the exploitative acts of the pigs caused the animals’ own downfall, for Napoleon and his associates continued taking advantage of them by changing the Commandments and being able to get away with such abominations because of the animals’