Napoleon, the Symbol of Oppression in Animal Farm

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Napoleon believes that pigs are that of a superior race and that all animals, no matter how powerful in strength, are inferior to their genius. He is able to establish a ruling built off of violence and deceit. Napoleon, the fascist ruler over Animal Farm, is not only an appalling leader for the animals but also presents multiple examples on how his cruelty exceeds that of Farmer Jones’. Napoleon’s actions grow worse, going from working the animals endlessly to growing victim to the lowest of human traits, and even playing judge, jury, and executioner towards the seemingly guilty. Napoleon’s ruthlessness makes Jones look like a benevolent farmer in comparison but, unfortunately, many of the animals are too naïve to notice.

“All that year the animal worked like slaves” (Orwell 59). This quote is only a mere scrape off of what Napoleon had done to the animals under his ruling. With his reigning powers he is able to control the animals and force work upon them until death; the most prominent example of this incudes the building of the windmill, a task of which is first given to reduce future work on the farm. Napoleon works the animals hard, yet he himself did little to no work as he dawdles away in the farmer’s home. Perhaps some believe this work to be a fruitful endeavor, but that is sadly far from the case. After a violent storm, the windmill is found in shambles; the work of the animals all for naught. Is this problematic for Napoleon? No, it is not. This is merely delay that does not affect him in the slightest. Instead, Napoleon puts the animals back to work, even during the worst of weather and season without break. Some died of this turmoil, Boxer the Horse being one of the victims to this cruelty. Sadly...

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... animals had been fighting…man. This may sound obscure but it is perfectly clear in the sentence “No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which” (Orwell 141). He is the symbol of oppression, the weight that tips the balance of good and evil. Napoleon’s treacherous acts of endless work, building traits of sin, and even playing with the lives of his former comrades end the united powers of the farm. What he did will only result in rebellion, and with rebellion will come more war, more blood, and more suffering. Only this time, the good word of equality will outweigh that of a single over powered pig and his followers.

Works Cited

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. New York, Penguin Group, 1946. Print.

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