Napoleon's Power In Animal Farm By George Orwell
“Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception” (Machiavelli). Corrupt leaders must be careful how they use their power, or else they may lose it. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Napoleon is a powerful leader cementing his hold on power by using propaganda, physical punishment, and effective resource management.
First, propaganda plays a very important role in Napoleon’s regime because it controls what the animals think, which helps him maintain his power. Napoleon and the pigs use propaganda to justify their special privileges. Although “...[sleeping] in the beds of the farmhouse” (Orwell 42) is against the rules of animalism, the pigs convince the animals is right. Napoleon being able to change the commandments, which the animals …show more content…
First, Napoleon organizes work on Animal Farm. “The pigs [do] not actually work...” (Orwell 16) and Napoleon “announces that there [is] work on Sundays” (Orwell 37) as well. The imbalanced distribution of work on the farm demonstrates how Napoleon is exploiting his power, by overworking the other animals to keep them weary, while doing little work himself. Not only does Napoleon overwork the animals, but he feeds them very little for it. Frederick observes that “the lower animals on Animal Farm… receive less food than any animals in the country” (Orwell 85). Napoleon’s harsh treatment of the animals highlights his control over the farm, and how he keeps the animals weak and powerless. Lastly, Napoleon and his pigs spend the farm’s money. The farm grows “richer without making the animals…richer — except...the pigs and dogs.” (Orwell 80) The animals do the work which earns the farm money, while the pigs spend the money keeping the animals poor and out of power.
As stated by Niccolò Machiavelli, a leader should “never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.” In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Napoleon is a powerful leader cementing his hold on power by using propaganda, physical punishment, and effective resource management. Some leaders maintain their power through respect; if this is not possible, a power hungry leader must use other strategies to keep their
First, propaganda plays a very important role in Napoleon’s regime because it controls what the animals think, which helps him maintain his power. Napoleon and the pigs use propaganda to justify their special privileges. Although “...[sleeping] in the beds of the farmhouse” (Orwell 42) is against the rules of animalism, the pigs convince the animals is right. Napoleon being able to change the commandments, which the animals …show more content…
First, Napoleon organizes work on Animal Farm. “The pigs [do] not actually work...” (Orwell 16) and Napoleon “announces that there [is] work on Sundays” (Orwell 37) as well. The imbalanced distribution of work on the farm demonstrates how Napoleon is exploiting his power, by overworking the other animals to keep them weary, while doing little work himself. Not only does Napoleon overwork the animals, but he feeds them very little for it. Frederick observes that “the lower animals on Animal Farm… receive less food than any animals in the country” (Orwell 85). Napoleon’s harsh treatment of the animals highlights his control over the farm, and how he keeps the animals weak and powerless. Lastly, Napoleon and his pigs spend the farm’s money. The farm grows “richer without making the animals…richer — except...the pigs and dogs.” (Orwell 80) The animals do the work which earns the farm money, while the pigs spend the money keeping the animals poor and out of power.
As stated by Niccolò Machiavelli, a leader should “never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.” In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Napoleon is a powerful leader cementing his hold on power by using propaganda, physical punishment, and effective resource management. Some leaders maintain their power through respect; if this is not possible, a power hungry leader must use other strategies to keep their