Animal Farm and Corruption

Idealistic leaders can become corrupt because of the influence that absolute power can have on one’s morals. This pattern constantly repeats itself throughout history because of mankind’s ignorance to the past. Animal Farm represents the Russian revolution and the events and actions that took place. As Napoleon, Snowball, and Old Major evolve and show the effects of having power, is it obvious to see how absolute power corrupts potentially great leaders.

Napoleon, an overall strong leader, lets power take over his views and morals for ultimate corruption. After Old Major dies, Napoleon is fortunate to be one of the next renowned leaders for the farm and soon to be a leader for the rebellion. As time passes, Napoleon experiences the luxuries and the benefits that come with having power— the power is now beginning to go to his head. He begins eating much food, sleeping on a bed, and wearing clothes (all of which the animals swore never to do in animalism). Napoleon is beginning to think of himself above all others rather than as still an equal. At one point in the book, Napoleon sell the loyal and hardworking boxer to a factory for alcohol. This goes to prove that he only cared about what he wanted, not his hard working citizen. By many events and actions done by Napoleon, it is easy to see how Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. “Stalin was the undisputed dictator of USSR.” As Stalin did, Napoleon disposes of anything that comes to threat his beloved power. Both leaders governed with complete power pushing anyone out of their way. “Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all able alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but it was impossible to say which was which,” (Orwell 141). Towards the end of the book, we see how this power ultimately hurts and corrupts them. This whole time their enemies have been the humans but as they begin to lose sight of their true purpose and their original selfs then begin to look more like their enemy. When the pigs are at their worst, they look like humans. As Napoleon eliminated his threat being Snowball, his ultimate corruption sets into place when food shortages begin to occur, the labor becomes very hard, and deaths are more persistent. Napoleon is a perfect example of how the power that he craved leads to disaster.

Snowball also lets power corrupt him and even challenges Napoleon for the control that he so intensely desires. Snowball is zealous and robust character who desired power as much as Napoleon, however this power also leads him to no good. Snowball is very lucid with his words and eventually wins loyalty of the animals. He explains strategies and plans of what the animals should do so that the whole farm can understand everything that occurs and needs to take place in the rebellion. Snowball is more intelligent than Napoleon but not as devious. He uses this intelligence to appeal to the animals in hopes that he may reign in the highest position of power. "The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they would assume the leadership,” ( Orwell 25). These pigs craved this power and wanted everyone to do what needed to be done for the rebellion for them. True corrupted leaders want no part in the work but only the benefits and the absolute power. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky in the Russian Revolution. Trotsky was a key factor in winning the revolution by Stalins side, as is Snowball a key factor next to Napoleon side— both Trotsky and Snowball being excellent speakers. “But, Says Trotsky, ‘Only mass insurrection has ever brought the victory of one social regime over another.’” Both characters speak and appeal to the people to hopefully gain the power and the favor of the people. Neither one, however, was thrilled or wanting to share the absolute power that they have obtained with Stalin or Napoleon. Trotsky wanted to share the ideas of communism with everyone as did Snowball want to share the ideas of Animalism. Snowball led the animals to a zealous victory in the Battle of Cowshed and was run out by dogs, or what would