The satire Animal Farm by George Orwell expresses the idea of self-government through the animals. The animals play the role of humans, in this way using most, if not all, of the human characteristics. Because the animals decide that they want to run the farm by themselves, they make up a way of living called Animalism. The basic principles of Animalism are two, all animals are to be treated as equals, and no animals shall acquire any human traits or characteristics whatsoever. The seven commandments under which they live are based on these major principles. As soon as they develop a whole new system, they throw out all of the humans that run the farm. Even though they are supposed to be equal, the pigs begin to take control. By the end of the novel, the pigs have manipulated the rest of the animals into doing everything they want. The pigs then become almost exactly like the humans. The most important pigs are Napoleon and Snowball, that is until Napoleon throws Snowball from the farm. It is throughout this satire that Orwell illustrates how power corrupts by showing the pigs actions. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely is a concept widely understood after having read Orwell’s satire. It is first shown when the pigs take the milk and apples, explaining to the rest of the animals that everyone is equal, but some are just more “equal” than others. They also argue that the pigs do more thinking, and therefore need more energy to do so. It is in the latter part of the book, that the concept of corruption gradually earns its meaning. When Napoleon forces Snowball to leave the farm, the power is all his. Napoleon fixes anything that goes wrong on the farm simply by blaming Snowball. He insists that Snowball had always planned everything in order to harm the farm. Napoleon does not have a limit. The pigs break all seven commandments, some without notice, simply because power is addictive, and they constantly want more of it. It is never enough. These commandments are to be followed by all the animals living on the farm at all times. Included in these commandments is the sixth one which states that no animal shall kill any other animal. Napoleon breaks this commandment when he kills the chickens he says are against him and the farm’s ideals.
Napoleon takes nine puppies to a secret location to teach them. He uses them in his plan to overthrow Snowball. After Snowball’s speech the animals cheer loudly, thus making Napoleon realize his loss of power. After this, Napoleon uses his dogs to drive Snowball off Animal Farm. Napoleon has corrupted these dogs in some way and is now using them for corrupt actions.
The pigs developed Old Major’s teaching into a complete system of thought: Animalism. Rules of equality, formality, and hard work was proclaimed and encoded in The Seven Commandments - ';an unalterable law.'; The animals enthusiasm was expressed through a hymn, ';Beasts of England.';
After Mr. Jones and his men kept neglecting the animals, the animals decide to take matters in their own hands. One day when Jones’ men forget to feed the animals, the cows break of their stables and get food. Jones sees this and comes out with his men with whips. They try to tame the animals, but fail when all the animals fight back, tired of the neglect and harm. They run the men off the property, which leads to a celebration and seven commandments. Everyone agrees that no animal should ever take man vices.
They would throw blame off of themselves or onto others whenever they felt the need. “Snowball has done this thing” (Orwell 70). The pigs knew that a storm caused the windmill to fall down. However, they told the animals that Snowball came to the farm and knocked it all down by himself. He is a small pig and could not physically break the windmill down quietly and quickly to not be noticed. The animals were so scared that they didn’t even imagine arguing with the pigs. They believed them right away. Sometime, the pigs broke one of the Commandments. To fix this, they just changed them over time. They added the phrase, “without cause” (Orwell 91), to one of the Commandments and the meaning changed completely. The 7 Commandments were not meant to be broken. They were written by the original leaders and ratified by the animals on Animal Farm. Once they were written, they should have stayed. The main problem was that most of the animals couldn’t remember the original Commandments, so whenever there was a change, it went generally unnoticed. A lie can easily become believed as true. The animals began to “Attribute to Snowball” (Orwell 78) anything that went wrong. The animals were taught that Snowball was behind everything and they eventually believed it with all of their heart. The animals where basically brainwashed against Snowball. The pigs only succeeded in this because they continuously pressed it into the minds of everyone
Can you imagine what life would be like living under the rule of a dictator pig? The animals in Animal Farm by George Orwell unfortunately experience this first hand. In the novel, the farm animals rebel against their owner and drive him out, and thus Manor Farm is renamed Animal Farm and the animals begin to govern themselves. They all agree that the smartest animal should be considered the leader, therefore Snowball and Napoleon, both pigs, are put in charge. However, as the story goes along, Napoleon exiles Snowball and becomes corrupted with power, and despite claiming that everyone is equal, Napoleon lives in luxury while the rest suffer under his rule. In reality, the animals should be the ones blamed for allowing Napoleon to rule over them.
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.
After the Animal Revolution the pigs take the initiative and place themselves in charge because of their claim of having higher intelligence. Over time this power begins to distort the basis of their revolt by recreating the same social situation they were previously in. “When the pigs takeover they claim that their goal is to preside a farm of equal animals, all working together to support one another, yet power quickly proves too much for a pig.” Though the animals originally took over the farm to increase the animal’s independence as a whole, because of the pig’s superiority they soon take the place of the humans further limiting their independence.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ("Abraham Lincoln Quote"). Lord Acton also said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (“Lord Acton Quotes”). Both of the quotes show that power is not always a good thing, and can sometimes make good people, do bad things. Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novella about animals rebelling against humans on a farm in England. The novella has been said to be directly related to the Russian Revolution of the early 20th century. Immediately after the animals gained power, the pigs took over as the leaders of the animals. The pigs became corrupt with the power, and may have made conditions worse than they were with humans
The book Animal Farm by George Orwell, in chapter two Seven Commandments is written for animals and spelled out for the animals in no uncertain terms. Just like the book Animal Farm, every society has certain rules and the society members are mandated to follow. There are many rules in our society that are written and the unwritten rules guides us through our daily lives. Most of the time unwritten rules help us create a better environment and guide us in our daily life.
Eating voraciously, more than they need to, shoving others out of the way, and rolling around dirty mud, pigs carry the aspects of greed and selfishness, like humans. What makes us different from humans? Imagine a cafeteria line where students are all lined up for lunch. Pushing others to get their lunch first, asking for more food than they will eat, and leaving trash around their table. These actions can all be connected to the actions of a pig. Through the pig’s actions, the true nature of human beings which are greed, stubbornness, and only wanting benefits for themselves are shown.
Due to their mistreatment by Mr. Jones, the owner of the farm, the animals start organizing meetings to discuss their plans to overtake the farm. In the beginning, they are led by an old pig named Old Major. He talks to them about their situation at the farm and the problems they have to endure. He leads them to believe that their biggest problem is “the man”, and how “the man” uses them to satisfy his own needs without giving a thought to theirs. The animals begin to make plans to revolt against “the man” and take control of their own lives. A few days after the meeting though, Old Major dies. This is the beginning of a whole new set of problems for the animals when two other pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, take charge of the revolt against man.
Almost immediately after the Commandments are written the cows have to be milked. The milk they produce is taken by the pigs exclusively so the seventh Commandment seems to be undermined from the very beginning. When the pigs also start claiming the windfall apples, Squealer explains that they are not taking them as privilege but because science has shown that milk and apples are necessary for the pigs' "brain work". This at least satisfies the animals that they are equal to the pigs but it does not fool the reader.
The Animalism regime begins very encouragingly, with all the animals working vigorously to improve the farm, and enjoying the feeling ...
The corruption of power is one of the world’s undeniable truths, throughout history power has corrupted many famous leaders such as Hitler and Henry VIII. Power corruption can happen in many ways, but there are three main sources. The sources would be character, how you use power, and the outlook on power. However other leaders did very well with power, so the real question would be what type of power corrupts and why? To answer what type of power corrupts I’ll have to go back to a quote from John Dalberg-Acton, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
When the book Animal Farms first starts talking about the seven Commandments they stated the following. All animals are equal,