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how is power shown in our society
power in our societies
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Power is an abstract phenomenon which has existed throughout the history of humanity. Power and powerplay intertwine to an extent as the nature of power is often dangerous, and incurs vulnerability and corruption. However, Powerplay is the interplay, jostle between two powerful beings. It is through this that the complex manipulation of power and power alliances on both an individual and group level occurs. An archetypal portrayal of the existence of power play within individuals and groups is exhibited in the film, "The Insider" (1999) directed by Michael Mann and the controversial satirical novella, "Animal farm", by George Orwell. Both these texts explore certain aspects of Powerplay. The three main aspects of powerplay are the interplay for power, intimidation and manipulation (complex manipulation).
Michael Mann's "The Insider" revolves around one whistle blower's true story. Jeffrey Wigand, a former Brown and Williamsons research scientist's justice. He is fired as a consequence for his poor communication skills, but he was actually dismissed because he disagreed to the method of manipulating the nicotine content in cigarettes to enhance addiction. ‘The Insider’ is predominantly an individual’s struggle for predominance, idealism, and is a reflection of Wigand’s intrinsic moral values. At the beginning of the film, Mann has used Misen-en-scene to establish Wigand's character without vocally articulating it through the frame work of spoken dialogue. Wigand is sitting in his office, completely disorientated from the work, packing boxes, juxtaposed against the busy office environment. This aids in establishing his character as well as reflects his inner feelings in this scene.
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...ly a dystopian historical allegory, which represents the history of the Soviet Union. Orwell has achieved this by drawing parallels from the events which occur in the Soviet Union and incorporating those events in his novella through the characters mirroring historical figures. For instance, Napoleon symbolises Stalin, and Snowball, Trotsky.
The notion of the interplay between two powerful beings is extensively explored in the ‘barn yard scene’. Snowball suggests the idea of constructing a wind mill, but Napoleon effectively eradicates this through urinating on the plans, as well as labelling Snowball as a self-fish entity. The arbitration between them, which occurs as a consequence of Napoleon’s behaviour, illustrates the constant jostle, interplay between them. Hence, this reinforces the notion of the interplay between two powerful beings struggling for power.
George Orwell uses power corrupts as a theme for Animal Farm. Orwell defines “power corrupts” as a distortion of ideals and practices to legitimize the power of a particular group or person. Orwell uses the pigs, and specifically Napoleon, to show how power is gained and then corrupted. “By the time he (Snowball) had finished speaking, there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go… Napoleon stood up… uttered a high-pitched whimper… and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn.” (52,53) George Orwell’s message that power corrupts is shown through pigs rise to power, Napoleon’s takeover, and Napoleon’s dictatorship.
Orwell’s Animal Farm closely follows the people and events of the Russian Revolution. In fact, Orwell wrote Animal Farm to convey the evil correlation between revolutions and tyrannies, and to point out the fault in revolutions (“Animal Farm” Literature). The Russian Revolution came about when the Bolsheviks took power after overthrowing Czar Nicholas II and Romanov rule, around the 1920s (Smele). This revolution was the real life version of the Rebellion on Animal Farm, an event in which the animals overthrew the evil humans who owned the farm. Two of the most well-known figures of this time include Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin, who both used and accentuated propaganda. In the novella, Napoleon the pig represents Stalin. Both Napoleon and Stalin became a dictator and stopped any resistance to their power through the use of propaganda (Stults). Old Major, a respec...
The books main themes include language as mind control and psychological and physical intimidation and manipulation. In the book, the people live in a city which is very out of the ordinary and also overseen by a charismatic leader, Big Brother. This society, portrayed by George Orwell has all the elements of a cult-like and totalist society.
“Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill…the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor…had actually been stolen from among Napoleon’s papers.”That, he said, was Comrade Napoleon’s cunning. He had SEEMED to oppose the windmill, simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball, who was a d...
...he USSR under Lenin and Stalin. He was dismayed by the total monitoring system, control over people’s thoughts, loss of happiness with loved ones, and loss of freedom happening in the USSR, which caused him to dread the future of other countries. Therefore, in addition to creating a replica of the USSR, he portrayed the perfect totalitarian government in his novel to emphasize many problems associated with it. To summarize, the author’s motives behind writing this novel helped me realize the astonishing resemblance of our society to the fictional society of the novel. It forces one to think of the risk associated with giving any single person or entity too much power or control over our lives. This led me to the conclusion that we shouldn’t engage in any activities that might put our privacy at risk if we want to avert a potential totalitarian system in the future.
Animal Farm illustrates the Russian Revolution through the tale of animals obtaining their freedom. Ironically, one of the leaders of the farm, Napoleon, turns the animals into his slaves. Thus, the animals merely obtain a new master. Through this twist of symbolism and irony, Orwell presents the theme about how power will corrupt the mind. Napoleon essentially represents the the corruption of power. In this way, Orwell conveys his theme by showing the adverse effects of Napoleon’s growing power, so that the reader can see the stages of corruption that follow.
MOVIE REVIEW OF ‘THE INSIDER” The Insider is a compelling and provocative drama, which is a very thrilling tale of what happens when a person is bound by the moral and rational appeals and responsibilities or what we would otherwise be calling deontology. It is very close to the human values and seems very practical in approach. The way the plot builds up truly reflects upon the work of the director and the various actors. It is a true masterpiece and probably one of the best works ever produced by Michael Mann who has other smash hits like “Heat” to his acclaimed credit. Too bad that he was not able to win many Oscars for his masterpiece although he did win a few nominations. But he sure did win the hearts of many viewers worldwide. What makes it all the more interesting that it seems so real that the viewers is kept wondering at times whether it is really a movie or some inspired story where names and figures have been changed. So much so that one is made to think about the complexities in life and a common man can relate to it. It is all about the drives for power, lust and greed and how one has to think about protecting oneself and the family. On one hand we have people who are trying to build a career and to make repute for themselves. On the other hand we have people who have lost their careers and are trying to re-make their careers and are having a start over all again. Eitherway the story is so compelling about the struggles that a well-t-do man might be forced to go through and the efforts that would have to be made in order to get somewhere. Story’s theme line revolves around the tobacco industry, which is prominent in US and dominates worldwide in terms of sales, power and earnings. The characters explore and look ...
The 1945 novel 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is an allegory for the Russian Revolution specifically for a variety of themes, such as lies and deceit, manipulation, and dreams and hopes. The novel shows great similarities to the Russian Revolution through these themes. In Animal Farm, Orwell portrays a society that is somewhat messed up that promises things that which people betray, which is rather quite alike our society where one is higher up than another and to be intimidated is very often. Lies and deceit, manipulation and hopes and dreams are themes that are portrayed and displayed in Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution.
In Conclusion, Orwell?s reason for writing this novel, was to educate people about the atrocities being committed through his own experiences during the Russian revolution. Snowball, Napoleon and Old Major were made as pigs ? the smartest of barnyard animals? to show that even the strongest people can be corrupted by power. Marx, Stalin and Lenin, the three most influential men during the Russian Revolution, were perfectly mirrored by the pig that best represents them. Orwell?s reason for righting Animal Farm as an Allegory was warn others that unless humans change their ways, we will be swept away by the lust for power, and live in a world of hate and misery.
In this allegorical novella, the book reflects actual historical events leading up to the Russian Revolution and into the Stalin era while characters reflect important political figures during this time such as the corrupt leader Napoleon serving as a representation of Joseph Stalin. What builds this tale is the objective recanting of the events in third person from the point of view of the common animal. However, there is one character in the novella Orwell wrote that drew the most sympathy—Boxer.
In Animal Farm, George Orwell creates meaning by focusing on the idea that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, by developing the character of Napoleon. Orwell emphasizes the change of character in Napoleon by revealing the change of Napoleon’s views toward men and how he presents himself. Initially, Napoleon is exploited by man and acts like an innocent pig. As the story progresses, Napoleon begins to recognize the fear and ignorance of the animals, and he disregards his respect for them. Instead, Napoleon begins to respect and imitate the ways of men. In the end, Napoleon exploits the other animals and acts like a man instead of a pig. He is slowly corrupted by power.
Lord Acton – a British Historian from the 19th Century once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. His maxim is seen in many cases and is also shown in Orwell’s Animal Farm as power is strength and authority, which is any form of influence, the ability to sway, and control. When an individual is given too much power, a dictatorship is formed – where all decisions are made by one authority. Thus, it is to say that power always causes corruption.
The relationship surrounding Snowball and Napoleon in George Orwell's Animal Farm tends to be on rocky grounds. Snowball, a clever pig, tends to be loyal, brave, and outgoing. These are just a few excellent qualities of a leader. Napoleon, a boar, on the other hand, is quite frankly rude, wretched, and full of greed. Both have had their share of leadership on the farm, yet both have had their share of conflict as well.
George Orwell writes Animal Farm as a criticism about the Revolution in Russia during the First World War and when Joseph Stalin takes over the Soviet Union and converts it to Communism. The book is a direct reflection of real life people and events that happened during this time. Fear and ignorance has a great effect on the way people lived their lives and similarly the way the animals lived their lives on the farm under their leader. It also shows that any rebellion against their country proved to be fatal and therefore, they were unable to break away. In Animal Farm, Orwell uses symbolism, irony, and imagery to convey the violence, corruption, and real life in Russia during this time through the animals on the farm.
Throughout the course of the novel the lives of everyone – human and animal – on Animal Farm change dramatically. In the case of the pigs their lives get better and better but for all the other animals and the humans their lives take a turn for the worse, after a brief period of optimism for the animals. This change in lifestyle, perhaps suggests Orwell’s thoughts and feelings about communism as he uses all of the events allegorically with the Russian revolution, for example when Snowball is chased out by Napoleon represents in history when Josef Stalin had Leon Trotsky exiled from Russia. Another example is in the card game at the end of the novel when Napoleon, representing Josef Stalin and Russia, and Mr. Pilkington, representing President Truman of America, both play the ace of spades, which represents nuclear weapons, which is historically the beginning of the Cold War.