Corruption in George Orwell’s Animal Farm

“Beasts of England, Beast Ireland, Beast of every land and clime, Hearken to my joyful tidings of the Golden future time.” George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, Orwell depicts the corruption exhibited by the communist of Russia when leaders gain more power. Socialism, Communism, and Capitalism are very different but have one thing in common and that is their histories corrupt and greedy leaders. While this novel portrays corruption in leadership it was often dismissed as ridicule toward Communist because of Orwell’s stance as a Socialist. Publishers where afraid to publish Animal Farm at first because of the anti-Soviet content, although today it is viewed as one of the hundred best English novels. The short sightedness of leaders have reigned for centuries while people maintain the “this way is better” concept it is all inevitably destroyed by ignorance, greed, and wickedness. George Orwell has evoked several renditions of his classic Animal Farm, but we do not prevail under any of the ideals because of corrupt leaders.

The novel began with Mr. Jones abusing his power over the animals and him soaking in the luxury of their sweat as a blatant drunk, but the story also ended with the same corruption. The only time the power is used for good is when the animals unite for their emancipation. After the animals are free, the power struggles begin and the corruption divides the animals. The corruption exist under the animal’s government just as it did Mr. Jones’ government, it is not the type of government but the type of characters in the government. Capitalist Pigs by David Futrelle states his opinion on Capitalist in the same portrayal of corrupt leaders, when Orwell’s work obviously covers the spectrum. Apparently, knowing Orwell’s work is not enough, but some have to mimic his success and put their two cents in. Orwell set the stage for this type of allegory and sure enough, we have people riding the coat tails of a success just so they can get their piece of the pie. Where were these people when publishers where afraid to publish Animal Farm, because of its controversy. Even T.S. Elliot called Animal Farm “generally Trotskyite” and rejected his manuscript publication, but when the fear of controversy subsided, everyone praised Orwell for his work.

Orwell created Napoleon as a representation of Communist leader Joseph Stalin and just as Stalin did Napoleon promised and somewhat delivered in the beginning that his way was better.