Animal Farm – Corruption of Power

Jonathan Garcia Ms. Abasta English 9, Period 3 March 12, 2009 Corruption Of Power Can power really corrupt a person? Power can corrupt anybody who steps up as a leader, especially when power is unchecked. In Animal Farm, by George Orwell, Snowball and Napoleon fight for the top spot as leader, but on the way they become corrupted. As the animals discover new things and obtain them the pigs cunningly keep it for themselves. Even do Snowball also became corrupted Napoleon showed cruel force and intimidation to the animals to keep his position.

Snowball became corrupt at some point during his time in power, but he always had the best interest for the farm. “Without halting for an instant, Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jone’s leg (p. 37). ” Even do Snowball was injured by Jone’s gun he got up and fought for the farm, animals, and freedom. His bravery in the war showed his true intentions for the animals, while Napoleon just hid and stayed behind. “At the meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches (p. 43). ” Snowball usually is able to persuade the vote to go his way with intelligence and peeches rather than through cruelty and fear. Snowball usually came up or sided with ideas that benefited the farm in a positive way like the windmill. In the end Snowball benefited the farm in a positive way for the animals, and not abusing his power. Unlike Snowball, Napoleon showed his authority through fear and intimidation. “When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess (p. 75). ” Demanding the animals to confess a crime they never had done with force, then illing them puts fear in the rest of the animals causing them to not act out against Napoleon. Also this fear and intimidation puts down the animals making them feel feeble. “Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side, and with his dogs gamboling round him (p. 117). ” Himself standing up on two feet giving arrogant looks, he puts himself above all others showing he has more power and authority then anyone. Also the dogs surrounding him shows that no one can touch him putting more animals down again. So it shows that Napoleon is able to maintain his ower by putting others below him and putting fear into them. Napoleon was able to keep his power by fear and eliminating the competition, while Snowball used his intelligence and speeches to only have good for the animals he still lost his power. It shows that even do fear and intimidation keep your power its wrong and corrupted. It’s better to have the most sincere interests for the people, and not to put others below you. Snowball seems to be a better candidate as a leader compared to Napoleon’s cruelty. Even the best of people can become corrupted with power and abuse it.