ESSAY QUESTION – ANIMAL FARM by George

Orwell
“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How Does
‘Animal Farm’ support this statement?

Animal Farm was one of the most controversial and tragic story of the 20th century.
It is regarded as a timeless fable, and explores the fault with equality and power. It’s
the ultimate test of power and how it can conflict with the original belief of
independence and egalitarianism. The animals around the farm believe their hard
work meant prosperity to others, but they come to realise that they are ultimately
helping only one person, and it’s not them. The pigs take advantage of ignorance
amongst the community and show their knowledge by ensuring to the community
everything is better than normal. Power is responsibility, but this novel discovers
how it is misused to something which is completely contradictory. Power corrupts
even the strongest motives and destroys an entire community.
Major was the wisest member of the farm, and he was getting old. One night Major
had a dream. He explained the nature of the animal life. He explains that “their lives
are miserable”, “laborious” and “short”. Major also tells the animals that Man is the
only creature who consumes without producing. Major explains that if man was out
of the picture, the picture would be pretty. Major expected a revolution and that’s
why he prepared the animals to rebel and keep passing on this message to future
generations. Major emphasises on how this will lead to prosperity to all. However,
Major strictly instructed that the “revolution should not falter” meaning it should
never turn to what you set to avoid. The animals understood that the prosperity to
others is prosperity of oneself.
A song was introduced shortly after, which set rules and guidelines to the revolution
which was to come. The name of the song was ‘Beasts of England’ and it explained
the rebellion all over England. This was considered to be the main inspiration
towards the rebellion. The animals singed it in joy, and each time they sang, it
explained to them, what the rebellion was about and how important it will be for the
animals. Shortly after what major had to say and explain, he passed away. Due to
the song, the animals have developed in the following months. The animals try and
find a way to defeat Mr. Jones, who is the only person standing in front of them
which prevents their action to become free. The future of the farm had already
started to be discussed amongst Snowball and Napoleon. Apart from the inspiration,
the word ‘comrade’ was now being used amongst each other to depict each and
everyone as equal and friends.
The rebellion was achieved much easier than they had though to be. Mr Jones was
defeated and the animals had realised they were now on their own, with their own
principles and the responsibility and prosperity of each other. There were
celebrations which involved them singing ‘Beasts of England’, raising a flag to
proclaim their independence and most importantly, the renaming of the farm from
‘Manor’ to ‘Animal Farm’. Everyone realised that there had to be leadership, which
would also determine the decisions by how the farm runs, with the sheer hate of
humans. Soon, after the animals celebrated, Snowball and Napoleon set out the
commandments that everyone must follow. The most important was the equality of
animals and the other various commandments which showed the hatred of human
life. The animals’ intentions were to live an equal life where the working for others
meant the prosperity for you, and in this way, everyone would work for someone,
yet every individual would benefit from it. The animals were strictly told by Major
that humans were the evil and they were the ones who caused the animals to suffer
inefficiently. The power was automatically taken by Napoleon and Snowball who
painted all the seven commandments in front of the animals. The power was
accepted by all the animals and people trusted them due to their knowledge and
them taking responsibility of keeping the animals alive. However, it is evident that
that power and trust was used to only their advantage and it showed the sign on
breaking the uppermost law that the prosperity of others is the prosperity of one.
Firstly, Napoleon explained to the animals that the milk will be dealt with and they
don’t need to worry about it, at that point it seemed clear that Napoleon was going
to use that milk only for either himself or the other “wise” pigs rather than share it
with the rest of the community. Later, the pigs had found some apples, and in the
meeting they explained that pigs are “brainworkers” and that is why the pigs
require the apples and milk more than the other animals do. But, it was said in such
a manner that the animals felt it was okay for them. Napoleon said “You do not
imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness…many of us
dislike apples and milk…our sole object in taking this is to preserve our health”
which was put in such as way that the animals thought they must be right and they
have still care for us and not for them.
Snowball was seen as Napoleons political enemy. They always went in different
directions and ultimately turned into the toughest and only competitor. Many
animals believed that Snowballs ideas were beneficial to the farm and his beliefs to
spread the word to other farms were appreciated by many animals. Napoleon
constantly disbelieved Snowballs ideas as if he hated him personally. Snowballs
ideas were for the future and his plan of the windmill was strongly disbelieved by
Napoleon who wanted to focus more on the present. Napoleon had his supporters
and Snowball had his side who believed the labour for the windmill would be worth
it because at the end they will be able to operate machines without any energy. At
the end, it seemed clear who would vote for whom, it would be Snowball. However
Napoleon exiled Snowball. This was carried out by nine dogs, which Napoleon
explains to be the protection they need. He also explains that Snowball was a
traitor, and how all along he was working for the humans. This was a beginning of a
scapegoat, where everything that went wrong was blamed on one single person.
Napoleon only proof was complex documents which he explained only the smart
could read. This showed the fight for power and Napoleon got it by any means. After
the expulsion, Squealer explained to the animals that there would be no more
meetings and votes, which indirectly got rid of any possible comments and
arguments to what Napoleon might do with the farm. Squealer says “…but you
might make the wrong decisions” indicating public opinion is not important, and
indirectly breaking the last commandment. Nonetheless, the animals were surprised
this could happen, but they accepted it, as there was nothing that could be
disagreed on. The windmill was to be built after all, and it had been disagreed upon
due to the “dangerous” character of Snowball. But, the main reason this was to be
undertaken was to take advantage of the animals and “…reduce their rations”
giving Napoleon and his ‘special committee’ of pigs the extra food. Power has
started to come into play, and power is corrupting their view of equality. The seven
commandments were ‘edited’ and no animals shall harm another became no animal
shall harm another without cause. Squealer explained it was always like that, and
the animals quietly accepted it.
Napoleon never spoke; it was only Squealer who put the words in so nicely to the
animals. Squealer was the voice of Napoleon, and whatever announcement there
was, he would say it, and as we have learned, he would say it in a positive way, but
the outcome (without realising) was negative for all but them (committee of pigs). It
appears Squealer was the prime source of propaganda, and using this public fear,
was used to the advantage of getting the animals to do what they wanted them to
do. Squealer also covered for Napoleon, and whenever there was something wrong
he would use the scapegoat (Snowball) who the animals believed to be a traitor
because Squealer and Napoleon had ‘said’ with evidence to ‘complex.’ Propaganda
gets through all the public, and this is a ingeneration of power that Napoleon had
always wanted.
There were hard working animals, who always believed what others had to say.
Boxer from a very early stage always listened to the master, and carried out the
tasks with all his hard work and strength. Later, he adopted maxims for Napoleon
such as ‘I will work harder’ and ‘Comrade Napoleon is always right.’ This provided
the animals with someone to look to, and some sort of inspiration. Clover was
Boxers best friend, and she cared for Boxer when he had a split hoof. She was
shows as always helping and kind to others, and very academic. Clover was the one
who forgot the seven commandments (when they were changed) and continued to
believed they must be right. Clover also protected the ducklings when Old major
was speaking which therefore shows her caring and kind nature. There were many
other animals who quietly worked and always believed what Napoleon and Squealer
had to say. The sheep were taken advantage of due to their stupidity. Mollie was
seen as a selfish horse who still wanted to undertake the human way of life. The cat
was shown as a bad worker but yet, still prompting and encouraging others to work.
Benjamin the donkey didn’t seem to believe in the revolution, and he never
participated, due to his beliefs in the order of the revolution.