Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell

Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell

Have you ever felt that rush of excitement when you can do whatever

you want without thinking of the consequences? If so, wasn’t it one of

the greatest feelings you’ve ever felt? The feelings that describe us

that we are leaders, that we have followers and our every move are

important to the people around us? Power is the one possession that

everyone desires. It lets you feel that one can do anything he or she

wants without the consequences of his or her actions. In George

Orwell’s illuminating fable of “Animal Farm,” he describes how a pig

named Napoleon takes over an entire farm. Napoleon, with his sly group

of trustworthy pigs, maintains power and takes over “Manor Farm” by

using the concepts of intimidation, fear, and persuasion.

Intimidation is a malicious, yet intelligent way to gather up people

to join a force. By intimidating someone, one would be too frightened

to stand up for his or her self. Thus, he or she would have no other

choice but to go along with the event of intimidation. In Napoleon’s

case, he uses intimidation by having a group of dogs to stand as his

bodyguard.

“Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn. In a

moment the dogs came bounding back. At first no one had been able to

imagine where these creature came from, but the problem was soon

solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their

mothers and reared privately. Though not yet full grown, they were

huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to

Napoleon.” (Orwell 68).

This shows that the ferocious dogs intimidate the silent and terrified

animals. Thus, when the animals are intimidated, they will follow

Napoleon’...

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...eon work his way to the

peak of class. Since Squealer follows Napoleon’s orders, he has helped

him persuade the animals to side with Napoleon instead of Snowball for

it is said that Snowball had sided with Jones. So in the end,

intimidation, fear, and persuasion combined have overcome every move,

and knowledge of the animals.

In addition to Napoleon’s tactics to maintaining power, the innocent

animals of Manor Farm tricked without any precaution, are under

control of the great comrade Napoleon. Intimidation, by the use of

dogs and torture has compelled the animals to undergo his powers. Fear

from Jones has frightened them to give up leisure time to work

together and rethink a way to overcome humans. Furthermore,

persuasion, with the help of the spectacular Squealer has played a

trick in the minds of many helpless, and oblivious animals of Manor

Farm.