Animal Farm by George Orwell

Since the beginning of civilization, power has been used to contribute towards major changes in society. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the animals gain power and use it to either bring positive or negative change to their community. In the novel, animals display how power can corrupt individuals to control others, how power is gained, and what changes power can bring to society. Power in itself is neutral, but it has the potential to be used for good or bad depending on the way and means it is gotten and used.

In Animal Farm, the nature of power has the ability to control others. In the novel, animals fall under the leadership of three pigs: Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer. Throughout the story, Squealer is viewed as the figure for propaganda. As a brilliant speaker, he uses manipulation to hide the truth from the animals. When animals question why the pigs get more milk and apples than the others, Squealer persuades them to believe pigs require more nutrition in order to lead the farm. “Comrades! You do not imagine, I hope that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?...Milk and apples (this has been proved by science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig...” (Orwell 42). By lying to the less intelligent animals, Squealer uses his power for his own greed. Similarly, Napoleon uses force to command others. Napoleon nurtures nine dogs from the moment they are born. As they grow up, Napoleon uses their power to force others into doing what he wants. When Napoleon discovers Snowball is a traitor to the farm, he calls everyone who knew of Snowball’s plans. Using the force from the dogs, Napoleon executes those acquainted with Snowball. In society, those with power will always use their power to dominate against others.

In Animal Farm, animals either inherit power or usurp others for control. Animal Farm is created when a dying pig, Old Major, motivates the animals to overthrow the humans on the farm. However, as Squealer and Napoleon who uses fear to attain power, Old Major earns his power through gained respect. From his vast wisdom, the animals voluntarily give Major power. “Old Major was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour’s sleep in order to hear what he had to say” (Orwell 15). Unlike Squealer and Napoleon, Old Major never caused fear to gain power. Major earned respect from those around him. On the contrary, Napoleon uses violence to seize power from Snowball. When Snowball and Napoleon argue whether to build or not build a labor-saving windmill. However, seeing Snowball as a threat, Napoleon calls out his nine dogs to chase Snowball off the farm. With Snowball gone, Napoleon enforces new rules, knowing that no one else will disagree with his thoughts. Shown through Animal Farm,