Absolute Power Corrupts in "Animal Farm" by George Orwell

Animal Farm, by George Orwell, was written to show how absolute power corrupts, just as Stalin’s power did following the Russian Revolution in 1917. In the allegory Animal Farm, each character represents a political figure from the days around the Russian Revolution. For example, Joseph Stalin is represented by a pig named Napoleon, Squealer, another pig, represents Stalin’s propaganda department, and the dogs represent the Secret Police (KBG). Using the nine dogs that Napoleon raises (intimidation), Squealer (propaganda), and manipulation, Orwell illustrates how Napoleon was able to gain and maintain control of the farm. The nine dogs that stay by Napoleon at all times are useful for Napoleon to gain and maintain control of the farm because they scare the other animals, intimidating them so that they do not disobey Napoleon. Napoleon also uses manipulation to gain and maintain a firm control by changing the Commandments for the farm in ways that work to his benefit. Squealer, Napoleon’s propaganda department, keeps the farm animals believing in Napoleon by describing what they hear and see to make it seem harmless. Using effective tactics of fear, convincing propaganda, and manipulation, Napoleon gains and maintains control of Animal Farm.

First, Napoleon uses the nine dogs that he raises to gain control of the farm and then to frighten the farm animals into accepting everything he does so that Napoleon is able to maintain control. When Napoleon introduces the dogs to the rest of the animals, the animals are speechless. Orwell illustrates the animals’ feelings when the dogs first appear is through the quote, “At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding in...

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...e animals do not realize what is actually going on, and so they do not question Napoleon, who just continues to rule. Using manipulation is another way that Napoleon is able to gain and maintain control over Animal Farm.

Napoleon controls Animal Farm using effective strategies, such as fear, propaganda, and manipulation. By frightening the animals so they will not challenge him, using propaganda to convince the animals of things other than what they suspected, and manipulating situations by twisting the rules to strengthen his own control, Napoleon is able to gain and maintain his control over Animal Farm. Many leaders in the world today use the same strategies as Napoleon did to obtain the trust and confidence of the people they govern. Thus, people must always be on the lookout for where their leaders try to control them using fear, propaganda, and manipulation.