Premium Essay

Examples Of Power Corrupt Leaders In Animal Farm

Submitted By
Words 816
Pages 4
Power Hungry Leaders Create Corrupt Societies Corrupt leaders use their advantages and power against the weak. They use higher intelligence to manipulate and control those who are too ignorant to see through the lies. These leaders rise to and retain power by twisting the truth in their favor. This is what the character Napoleon does in Animal Farm, by George Orwell. Corruption of power leads to the exploitation of the weak through fear and manipulation. Snowball was a perfect leader, with excellent ideals and did everything for others. Napoleon, on the other hand, was a diabolical leader who sought power. To do this, Napoleon directs his ‘right hand man,’ Squealer, to spread rumors and lies to make Napoleon seem perfect. After Napoleon took charge, Squealer said, “I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself” (50). Napoleon …show more content…
Napoleon had to do something about it, so he turned the animals of Animal Farm against him, “‘...Snowball, who, as we know, was no better than a criminal?’ said Squealer” (Orwell 50). Napoleon and Squealer made sure that the animals would never follow Snowball again. Snowball relates to Leon Trotsky in the Russian Revolution. Napoleon, or Stalin, turned the people against Snowball to gain more power. For example, the farm builds a windmill but Napoleon cuts many corners and it ends up collapsing in a storm. To evade the blame, Napoleon turns to Snowball, “Comrades, do you know who is responsible for this? SNOWBALL!” (63). Napoleon could not take the fall for this as it would cause him to lose control over the animals. He used Snowball as a scapegoat to unite his people against a common enemy. Stalin blamed Trotsky for things that were his fault, but he could not let his people know that. In many cases, the leader who is less favored, is the one who destroys the others reputation to gain

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Paper

...Corruption of Pigs, Leaders and Modern Day Life Corruption is a provoking issue for many societies around the world, impacting multiple generations and at various degrees. Corruption is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as, ‘dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people’. It is displayed by Hitler in the Holocaust, George Orwell’s book Animal Farm, and even in our modern day. George Orwell conveys a powerful message that applies to all three situations, supporting Orwell’s compelling message. Orwell’s political message about corruption of the government and leaders abuse of power is depicted in the way Hitler led Germany, the current U.S. government and George Orwell’s portrayal of the Russian Revolution in Animal Farm. There are many examples of people taking advantage of power in our country today. In a New York Times Article titled “ "Officials Push to Bolster Law on Wiretapping", author Charlie Savage informs readers of the government’s new push for an increase in surveillance. Recently, phone companies and networks have updated their software, causing it to be additionally difficult for the government to spy on them and take the customers personal information(Savage 1). As the U.S. government continues to wiretap and collect information from large phone carriers such as AT&T and Verizon(Savage 1), it will become an extreme and impactful invasion of privacy. This push will extend the laws to companies like Gmail, Facebook and Skype(Savage 2). Savage...

Words: 2379 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Power Corrupts In Animal Farm By George Orwell

...Power can change one's decisions and actions. This can be seen throughout history, such as the Russian revolution. John Acton Once said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Someone may start Leading with good intentions, but power corrupts them. In The novel Animal Farm, George Orwell shows how power can affect people's actions and priorities. In The Novel, Animal Farm, Orwell is saying that power corrupts.In the beginning of the novel Animal Farm, Napoleon is just like the other animals. All the animals felt they were being mistreated and decided to rebel against Jones, the original owner of Manor Farm or, Animal Farm later on. Then, when snowball is a leader, Napoleon decides that he wants to be in power instead...

Words: 375 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Absolute Power and Corruption in Animal Farm

...Absolute Power and Corruption in Animal Farm Idealistic leaders can become corrupt because of the influence that absolute power can have on one’s morals. This pattern constantly repeats itself throughout history because of mankind’s ignorance to the past. Animal Farm represents the Russian revolution and the events and actions that took place. As Napoleon, Snowball, and Old Major evolve and show the effects of having power, is it obvious to see how absolute power corrupts potentially great leaders. Napoleon, an overall strong leader, lets power take over his views and morals for ultimate corruption. After Old Major dies, Napoleon is fortunate to be one of the next renowned leaders for the farm and soon to be a leader for the rebellion. As time passes, Napoleon experiences the luxuries and the benefits that come with having power— the power is now beginning to go to his head. He begins eating much food, sleeping on a bed, and wearing clothes (all of which the animals swore never to do in animalism). Napoleon is beginning to think of himself above all others rather than as still an equal. At one point in the book, Napoleon sell the loyal and hardworking boxer to a factory for alcohol. This goes to prove that he only cared about what he wanted, not his hard working citizen. By many events and actions done by Napoleon, it is easy to see how Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. “Stalin was the undisputed dictator of USSR.” As Stalin did, Napoleon disposes of anything...

Words: 1184 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Animal Farm

...is a very manipulative, very clever and sly animal character. He changes a lot in terms of his traits and interaction with others throughout the novel. His appearance reflects the changes occurring in his behavior. When Napoleon becomes the sole leader of Animal Farm, he seizes power and becomes more and more like a human. He uses several methods to take and maintain control of the farm. His primary methods are by using fear, by exploiting the animal and by bending the rules. Napoleon uses his intellect to good effect as far as self-interest is concerned. Napoleon instills fear as a way of giving the animal no chance to argue about what he says. This allows him to run the farm in his own manner and gives him a more comfortable life than the other animals. Early on in Animal Farm, Napoleon takes Jessie and Bluebells nine newborn puppies. These puppies become his little army of fear. He uses them to gain power by eliminating his enemies, Snowball "They dashed straight for Snowball...he slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more." Also, Napoleon used the dogs in the public forum he created by setting an example of what would happen to those animals who chose to disobey him. The Russian Revolution is an example that absolute power often corrupts society. In the novel Animal Farm, author George Orwell shows through Boxer’s faithfulness to Napoleon that absolute power can control one’s mind. This showed that absolute power can ultimately brainwash one’s own opinion,...

Words: 449 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Dystopia In George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'

...novella, Animal Farm, the farm animals are restricted and mistreated. They have an overseer named Mr. Jones who is not only a drunk, but is slowly losing his ability to take care of Manor Farm. Gradually the animals are moving toward the idea of revolution against their dictator. Lois Lowry once said, “The life where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. Is a life without colour, pain or past.” This quote can be interpreted as a life without problems, surprises or consequences, is a life with no originality or vitality. George Orwell uses a large variety of literary elements such as, symbols, dramatic irony and conflict...

Words: 1074 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Animal Farm

...Animal Farm is a novel that appears at first glance like a children's book metaphor to represent Russia, but it's much broader than that, it's the mistakes of all men with absolute power. Animal Farm is a historical novel that illustrates the idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely and with corruption comes lack of equality among the people. George Orwell uses: metaphors, fables, satire, illusion, and characterization to convey the ideas that men make mistakes with too much power. Animal Farm, like a metaphor, conveys a deeper level of meaning beneath the children’s story about animals on a farm. One main point Orwell was trying to show his audience is too much power can corrupt any government. This can be viewed through the character Napoleon. As the story progresses, the pigs gradually obtain more power, which they used to take advantage of the less intelligent animals on the farm. When the animals were weeding the turnip field, "They worked diligently, hardly raising their faces from the ground, and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors" (Orwell, p.52). This shows how Orwell was trying to warn the audience that no matter what the person's intentions are, power can corrupt anyone. Animal Farm can also be a fable that is used to teach lessons on morality. One lesson can be that greed brings out the worst in everyone. For example, the pigs were driven by their own personal interests until they became just as bad as their enemies...

Words: 876 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Unit Test, Part 2: Animal Farm

...Graded Assignment Unit Test, Part 2: Animal Farm Answer each question, using complete sentences. (10 points) Score 1. In Chapter 1, Old Major says, “Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever.” Is that true? What does the novel reveal about “real enemies”? Answer: No, man is not the only enemy. In this novel pigs were also the enemy. Once man was chased out, the pigs took over and became exactly like the man. Removing man from the scene did not abolish overwork and hunger forever. In fact, animals questioned whether or not they worked more and ate less than before the man were removed. This is due to the fact that when the pigs took over they were as bad if...

Words: 1164 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Animal Farm Abuse of Power

...June 2nd 2015 Absolute Power George Orwell created a book in which animals were almost as intelligent as humans are, and held an idea of a farm where socialism ruled. This essay will prove that absolute power is the ultimate downfall of man. This will be proven using examples from the novel Animal Farm, written by George Orwell. This story shows these pigs slowly using their manipulative brains, and thoughts, to take control of this Animal Farm. Throughout the book these pigs gain more power and begin to abuse it corrupting the system transforming this socialism dream into a communism starting the whole cycle of unfair rule where signs of unrest become present once again. As the title suggests, Animal Farm takes place on a farm that was once owned by Mr. Jones, who was an abusive animal caretaker who always got drunk and never followed through with his responsibilities. This was seen in the very beginning when, "Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes." This farm lies in the center of a string of three farms divided by natural barriers, and a road that leads to the town. The farm held a well, fields, orchards, stalls, house, and every other thing that a normal farm would contain. This tale was created to express the ideas of a perfect government called socialism and the human nature to want more than equality. Animal Farm shows how if someone is granted more power with nothing to tie it...

Words: 1220 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Animal Farm Allegory

...could have found the right arguments.” This quote, taken from Animal Farm, an allegory written by George Orwell, shows that if people aren’t educated then they can’t fight back against their government. This is the case in Animal Farm, where a pig by the name of Napoleon, took rule of Animal Farm, after overthrowing the previous leader, a human, and eliminating his only other competition, a pig called Snowball. The pigs in Animal Farm were the only animals that could learn english so the rest of the farm animals could not question the corrupt government that the pigs set up. Looking at this structure of the story and many other aspects of writing, I believe that the purpose of George Orwell's writing...

Words: 652 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Corruption In Animal Farm

...Corruption on Earth: The symbiotic structure of Animal Farm There is a novel called Animal Farm that expresses the importance of avoiding corruption. Animal Farm is an Aesop fable that talks about communism in a sort of joking way. It focuses on the country of Russia before and after Stalin’s reign when the people over through Tsar Nicolas II and when harsh treatment began. It also speaks of the struggles people went through, and the corrupted leaders involved. The author uses animals to symbolize the citizens of Russia. These people were loyal and somewhat unaware of what was going on. A prime example of this would be boxer, he was loyal to Napoleon. In the story when snowball was being chased by Napoleon’s guard dogs “Too amazed and...

Words: 334 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Corruption In George Orwell's Animal Farm

...“No animal must ever live in a house, or sleep in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or engage in trade” (Orwell, 8). These were the fundamental ideals stated by Major, which started the Animal Revolution. One major theme throughout George Orwell’s Animal Farm, was corruption due to power and manipulation; a seemingly childish tale of animals taking over a farm that teaches students about the possible evils that can come from corrupt leaders, which is why it is also an excellent classic for many high school students. From the moment Napoleon ran Snowball out of the farm, he started to break the commandments one by one. It began with simple rules, as to not trade with humans, deal with money, or take...

Words: 1201 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Kim Jong Un Animal Farm

...Animal Farm is a historical novel, set in England but dealing with the events leading up to and after the Russian Revolution of 1917. It illustrates the idea expressed by Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This abuse of power can be demonstrated by studying Napoleon’s actions in the book(Alex K.). In this essay, comparisons include the character Napolean and how he relates to Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un, how the Pentagon's destruction compares with the destruction of the windmill and the last comparison includes how Napolean started underfeeding the other animals and how it compares too Kim Jong Un letting his people...

Words: 1109 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Prince vs Animal Farm

...One may think that little comparison could be made between Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. However many of the theories of leadership put forward in 1513 in The Prince can be found in Animal Farm. Those same ideas and theories can be applied to educational leaders and educational leadership to examine the morality of Machiavelli’s practices in education. This paper will compare and contrast leadership elements in both The Prince and Animal Farm. Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1513. The purpose of The Prince was to record the knowledge that Machiavelli held in regards to leadership and power. Machiavelli lays out in details the ways in which a prince can come to power and how to maintain that power. The principles that Machiavelli put forth are straight forward with no sugar coating and often considered immoral. Orwell’s Animal Farm is in stark contrast to The Prince’s fiction. The novel is set on an English farm where the animals have taken over the farm from humans to rule it for themselves. The animals start out believing that the product of their labor will benefit only them and that all animals are to be treated equally. Over time one of the animals comes to power and emanates the human habits that lead to the overthrow of the humans in the first place. The work is satirical of the Communist Revolution and Stalinism. Orwell and Machiavelli present a united front in the portrayal of the non-ruling class. Machiavelli makes no apologies...

Words: 2277 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Animal Farm

...Animal Farm An Allegory of the French Revolution By Travis Booker English 1302 Mrs. Simpson April 18, 2012 What is an allegory? Allegory is a device used to present an idea, principle, or meaning, which can be presented in literary form, such as a poem or novel, in musical form, such as composition or lyric, or in visual form, such as in painting or drawing. It is also seen in scriptural passage. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions, or symbolic representation. Allegory is generally treated as a figure of rhetoric; a rhetorical allegory is a demonstrative form of representation conveying meaning other than the words that are spoken. As a literary device, an allegory in its most general sense is an extended metaphor. As an artistic device, an allegory is a visual symbolic representation. An example of a simple visual allegory is the image of the grim reaper. Viewers understand that the image of the grim reaper is a symbolic representation of death (Kennedy 142). During a time when there was much change and the spirit of rebellion was all around, Animal Farm was written by George Orwell. George Orwell used allegory in his novel Animal Farm to parallel the Russian Revolution and resulting totalitarian regime to the revolutions of the animals and the pigs' corruption of absolute power. The novel's characters, events, and corruption of ideas paralleled the pattern that took place among the Russians during and following the...

Words: 2472 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Hero and Villain

...extraordinary circumstances, who, in despite the odds being stacked against him or her typically prevails in the end. [2]  The villain usually is the antagonist, the evil character in the story, who tends to have a negative effect on other characters or serves as an obstacle the hero must struggle to overcome. In other words, the villain typically a charismatic evildoer who represents, leads, or himself embodies the struggle the hero is up against. [3]  Animal Farm is a vivid and eloquent novel written by George Orwell, who aims to prove that human nature and diversity prevent people from being equal. It also successfully presents how the mechanism of propaganda and brainwashing works in totalitarian regimes. Snowball is described as a vivacious pig, which is quick in speech and more inventive. He´s the best at writing; painted out `Manor Farm´ and in its place painted `Animal Farm.´ During he´s short period in the story, Snowball threw his heart and soul into the attempt to spread animalism worldwide and to improve Animal Farm’s infrastructure. Moreover, Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. [4] He had a white stripe down his nose which gave him a somewhat stupid appearance. That look that he had was also...

Words: 2989 - Pages: 12