In the novel “Animal Farm”, written by George Orwell, a recurring theme of power is input throughout the novel. Countless characters have an obsession surrounding power. There is a need for it and awe for it. Main characters in the novel each hold one of these values, Napolean with a thirst for power, Boxer being in awe whenever he is graced by a good leader. During the contents of the novel, power also finds a way to corrupt everyone around it. Power has a strong grip on the many lives of Animal Farm.
Power is the ultimate goal of the ruthless. Characters such as Napolean have a continuous need for more and more power and will go to great lengths to achieve this. Napolean wants the power of Animal Farm and he wants it to himself. His overwhelming greed steers him to go to great extents to get what he wants. He steals puppies from their mother to train them to allow him to expel Snowball, taking full control of Animal Farm. He mercilessly and publicly executes animals to drive fear into the farm population, ensuring that his power is not challenged. His thirst for power steers Animal Farm into a dictatorship fueled by Napoleans’ greed. I believe that Napolean has a need to prove himself and show that him, a pig, can run a farm as well, if not, better than the humans. This ego is the key for Animal Farm transforming back into Manor Farm.
On Animal Farm, some animals simply don’t have what it takes to take power, knowing this whenever they witness a true leader seeming to easily control, they develop great respect. Boxer, a well-respected animal, with small intelligence is the prime example of these points. He will listen to anyone with power as he believes that anyone who managed to grasp and maintain power is worth listening to. He develops respect for Snowball and then Napolean. He is amazed by the intelligence and wit of the pigs and will listen to whatever they say. Being this type of character, he is easily manipulated. When Snowball was driven off the farm, Napolean fed Boxer information that he instantly took in as Napolean was the one in power. He believed him with little hesitation and began devoting himself to Napolean. He turned a blind eye to anything Napolean did as long as he was met with confirmation that it was for the greater good. I think that Boxer was a vital aspect of Napoleon’s reign being so easily manipulated. Boxer held Animal Farm on his shoulder but Napolean sat on his head. Boxer carried the farms’ operation with his strength earning him respect from the other animals but with Boxer under Napoleon’s will, the farm truly was his.
Power, ultimately, takes a toll. It corrupts and destroys all around it starting from those which hold it. When power is tasted, it results in a thirst. All they want is more power and tunnel vision is created. All they see are opportunities to gain more power and not the consequences. This tunnel vision hurts everyone around them, including themselves. Napolean was willing to undermine the foundations that created Animal Farm. He changes the commandments after thoroughly breaking them, taking advantage of the animals that cant read mainly because of his minimal efforts to make them literate. All animals were either overworked, neglected or murdered in the wake of Napoleon’s desire for power. Whilst doing this, Napolean developed an addiction to alcohol which would take it’s toll sooner or later and began turning more and more human. He stopped caring for the animals and would lock himself inside all day only coming out for certain occasions. He became obsessed with his work and would go to any measure to make money to spend on alcohol. I believe that the novel portrays that power is a dangerous thing. It should be dealt with cautiously and correctly in making sure that it doesn’t get the best of you.
George Orwell uses the theme of power throughout the novel “Animal Farm” in a skilful manner. He uses it to split the animals into those who achieve and need power and those who admire power. This occurs throughout the novel and helps the reader imagine what it would really be like on Animal Farm.
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