Orwell describes Snowball as a pig very similar to Napoleon, both wanting a leadership position in the new farm, but as time goes on, each eventually realising that one of them will have to step down. Orwell tells us that the two were always arguing. "Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted to oppose it." Later, Orwell makes the case stronger. "These two disagreed at every point disagreement was possible." Snowball used his skill of reading and writing to help him rise to power, Napoleon was the most revered and sinister pig- though he was not discribed like this at the beginning. Between them Snowball was the natural leader but Napoleon who didn’t have as many ideas as Snowball wanted to be in power, and rose to this position by ruthlessly eliminating his rival Snowball. Napoleon did this by taking nine puppies from their mothers, raising them and using them to create his own private police force.
Snowball was a good leader because of his intelligence, strategic planning abilities, eloquent speaking and bravery. For example, the planning of the windmill, his speeches, and his organising and leading from the front in the battle of the cowshed.
Napoleon was shown to be an intimating and manipulating pig, who is considered superior among the other pigs. He thinks of himself as elite as he is the only pig on the farm who is a Berkshire boar. it is under the leadership of Napoleon that animal farm is doomed. Napoloen used lies, fear and intimatation to control the other animals.
The corruption on animal farm first begins when Napoleon takes the milk and apples from the other animals, breaking the commandment, “All animals are equal”. When Napoleon becomes the self appointed leader, it is through him that the corruption starts. He uses terror and propaganda to establish the rule of an elite of pigs. Napoloens use of Squealer was as a propaganda machine who had the ability to deceive the other animals. He's first described as a manipulator and persuader, Orwell narrates, "He could turn black into white." Black being bad and white good, meaning he could make Napoloens bad leadership seem good. Squealer could persuade the other animals to believe practically anything. For example the milk and apples speech, were he convinced them that the pigs needed the apples and milk and it was for the good of the farm. Napoloen corrupts the farm by breaking the seven commandments, the most significant of these being the slaughter of the animals who confessed to having dreams that Snowball wanted them to rebel against Napoloen.
Orwell describes how power over time turned the pigs from simple "comrades" into ruthless dictators who managed to walk on two legs, and carry whips. In the end Napoloen had abandoned everything that Animalism stood for when he evolved into a pig that lived and acted in the same manner as humans.
It is evident throughout the book how the pigs are portrayed from the beginning as the destined leaders of the farm. For example, Orwell shows that Snowball believes the more intellegent animals, such as the pigs,”with their superior knowledge it was natural they should assume the leadership”
In the end it is ironic how, as a group the pigs initially were the driving force in over throwing the humans and rallying the other animals to create the vision that first appeared to Old Major. They are a classic example of how power corrupts and in the end their greed led to the loss of what they had created and the ultimate destruction of Animal Farm.
Kerry Douglas
