Corruption Due To Power In George Orwell's Animal Farm

During the early stages of Animal Farm the pigs slightly took advantage of their intelligence level by not doing labor work; instead they “directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that

“No animal shall drink alcohol” (Orwell 25) was the 5th commandment, but Napoleon didn’t let that stop him. After he got drunk he had Squealer change the 5th commandment to “No animal shall drink to excess” (Orwell 109). Having that much power can be used for self-interest instead of thinking about the common good. No man or animal should have that much power or they will abuse it, just like Napoleon. Napoleon starting to think that the pigs were more superior. Orwell seemed to be stating that if Napoleon was the only one who knew what was right or true, then Napoleon could convince the animals that he and the pigs needed more of the resources, like milk and apples. Simultaneously Napoleon later on state that “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” (Orwell 134) Napoleon is literally saying all the other animals are less than the pigs. Because they are using tyranny as their style of government they can say whatever they want without having to prove it. From the start Napoleon is gaining control by having a better education, having apples and milk, drinking alcohol, wearing clothes, walking on two legs, and manipulating the animals to think they are dumb. Power is corrupting the farm and all of the other animals besides the pigs are losing control. From the start the pigs only did what they wanted to benefit themselves, by pretending to have the other animals

When thinking about pigs, you generally associate them with being dirty, repulsive and gluttonous. Well, that's Napoleon. In the novel, Animal Farm, by George Orwell Napoleon is a pig on Manor Farm who slowly exerts power over others and begins his reign as a dictator. Napoleon takes over and renames the farm Animal Farm while being completely deceptive and unfair. Napoleon is a prime example of how absolute power corrupts absolutely because he is unjust and doesn't care for the wellbeing of any of the other animals on the farm but himself.

Power is an evil thing. Power can even manage to corrupt angels into devils. Yes, power has the ability to change the world for the better, but most would use power to enrich themselves. Wars even got started over the greed of the leader. In the story, Animal Farm by George Orwell, the story demonstrates a corrupt animal leader known as Napoleon.

Power can change people into the thing or character that said they never would be. Absolute power changes people and creates something new and often times a monster. As Paul Krishner wrote in The Dual Purpose Of Animal Farm “…the commandments are chipped away and the pig-managers increasingly resemble farmers…”3 this demoralizes the majority oppressing them. Spencer Brown quotes Wanda Hale in "Mealymouthed Critics Ignore Animal Farm's Anticommunist Flavor,” Animal Farm is a

William Gaddis once said “Power doesn’t corrupt people, People corrupt power” In Animal Farm and Mouseland both of the animals who have the power take over and create corrupt and unequal societies. This causes the societies to fall under the rules of greedy and selfish leaders. The authors of Animal Farm and Mouseland use the narrative techniques of characterization and conflict to illustrate messages about how power can destroy societies and take away the equality in the society.

“People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.” V, from the 2005 film V for Vendetta, preached the truth about ultimate power. Similarly, George Orwell, in his novel Animal Farm, unraveled the reality of the Russian Soviet Union, and its slow but steady spiral into an oppressive dictatorship, using an ordinary country farm and a group of typical farm animals. These animals successfully overthrew the humans that tyrannized them but could not stop the eventual corruption of power within their new government. The readers come to know that this corruption of authority was inevitable, however, due to the overpowering human attributes Orwell buried deep within his character’s cores. Their very souls

Orwell shows corruption in Animal Farm by changing the commandments. For example, towards the end of the novel there only remains on commandments which states ‘ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS’. This can cause corruption because before hand there were seven commandments which helped organise the farm, and all of a sudden, there is only one commandment left. Previously, the animals were used to following seven fair and organised rules, then they only have one rule which, to them, doesn’t make sense. This commandment can seem quite confusing to the animals because on one of the previous commandments stated ‘All animals are equal’.

Wealth plays a big part in manipulation. People or countries with money seem to be in control. This is because they have the best of everything, if its technology, equipment, lawyers, anything you can think of they are going to have it and win. In Animal farm money doesn't play a role but in terms of manipulation to those who don't have power it certainly does! In the books situation the pigs would be the ones with all the money living the high life.The fortunate people with money have access to everything and have the benefits of warm clothes, a roof over our heads, a meal to come home to every night and medicine to help us get better when we are sick. In third world countries such as Africa and the Philippines people only have limited access

Throughout the book of Animal Farm the theme of leadership and corruption is continuous. The animal’s who have the biggest part in both of these major themes are the pigs. Napoleon, for example, takes over as the leader in the beginning of the book and later his leadership methods turn corruptive.

Have you ever been curious about how animals feel inside living in farms and who are the big bosses that run everything within the farm? And who has the power? In, Animal Farm, size did not matter in this case! The animals were convinced to do what the pigs tell them to. The power holders in the book are the pigs ! Puny, chubby, and persuading pigs! Ruling a whole farm of animals. They were smooth with their words and careful and manipulative. Then, soon enough the pigs took matters into their hands causing surprises to most of the farm animals. In the book Animal Farm as well as in our society, the leader that rise to power are usually the cleverest or most intelligent and most able to manipulate.

The power held by the pigs

In Animal Farm they implement many changes, the major change are trading with humans to fund, the cleverest pigs break more and more commandments such as “No animal shall sleep on beds” which changed to “No animals shall sleep on beds with sheets”. Therefore this shows that the pig has power and they are trying to hide the truth, however there is discrimination within the animals in the farm.

Corruption in Your Eyes In the society of humans, we as the humans are known for war and corruption against one another. Humans are known to be greedy because once they have power everything around them becomes theirs. Men lust for power just to dominate and have the benefits of holding power. Power is the source of domination and control.

From Animal Farm, the story acts as an epitome of the development of positions of power. This is evident in the story where the pigs have the resources all for themselves, and they are able to persuade the lower class animals that they actually need those. “…..We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare.