Corruption of Power in Animal Farm

The statement, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”, simply means that the more power one has – the more control one has over people – then the more corrupt it is possible for that person to become. This statement is certainly correct if the person with the power has certain proclivities towards corruption. There are many examples in the book, “Animal Farm”, by George Orwell, of power corrupting those in charge because they had these tendencies. In the story, the most powerful animals are the two pigs, Napoleon and, to a lesser degree, Snowball. During the course of the story these pigs used their power to get more power, and in the process their inclinations towards corruption triumphed. When Old Major, the boar who came up with the idea of all animals uniting against humans, died, Napoleon and Snowball saw an opportunity where they could take control and took it. Napoleon used force to get rid of Snowball and take all the power for himself, and he used fear to keep the other animals from revolting. He used scapegoats so that he could not be blamed for anything that went wrong, and propaganda to brainwash the animals into loyal slaves. Napoleon changed and broke the commandments of Animal Farm to benefit himself, and he lacked empathy for all those who worked hard for him, executing those that might cause him trouble.

As soon as Old Major died, Napoleon and Snowball lost no time in taking charge. They weren’t elected, and were at first only allowed to stay in those positions of power because they showed an interest in organizing the animals’ well-being. On the surface they appeared to have the interests of the animals at heart, but inside, their hunger for power revealed their corrupt proclivities. Even at ...

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...y applies to Napoleon and Snowball because the power which they had, hand in hand with their susceptibility to corruption eventually made them as bad and corrupt as Mr Jones. Throughout their times as leaders, these pigs used what power they had to get more. When Old Major passed away, Napoleon and Snowball saw a chance where they could rule and dominate the lives of others. Napoleon forcefully ousted Snowball from his position and reigned alone, using fear to keep the other animals from revolting. Napoleon used scapegoats for any problem that arose, and propaganda to brainwash the animals into dependable slaves. Napoleon distorted the seven commandments of Animal Farm to advantage himself, and he lacked compassion for the animals that laboured under him. He executed any animal that he though a threat to his power. Both pigs were definitely corrupted by their power.