Napoleon is the typical dictator. In many ways he represents Stalin, the tyrannical ruler of the USSR, but he embodies many characteristics of the typical dictator and Orwell uses the character of Napoleon to paint the worst characteristics of this type of person. Napoleon’s character gradually changes for the worst as his power over the animals increases.
At the start of the novel Napoleon is simply one of several pigs but by the end of the novel Napoleon has turned events to his own advantage and become the most dominant animal on the farm. For example, in Chapter 2, Napoleon appears to be the silent character who does not seem to have the plans and ideals that Snowball does. However, his silence hides a devious side to his nature and we see him taking charge of the milk which he later uses for the sole use of the pigs, tricking the other animals by saying that this is not done “in a spirit of selfishness and privilege,” but because “milk and apples contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig”.
Animal farm plots Napoleon’s corruption and his decline into the seven deadly sins
Through the character of Boxer, Orwell represents the ordinary worker as decent, honest and essential to the success of the society. Boxer is an enormously strong horse whose work on the farm is essential for its survival. Through Boxer Orwell shows however, that when a worker works blindly for a society without critical thinking he contributes not only to his own exploitation, but also to the exploitation of other members of that society. Orwell is saying that when Mr and Mrs Average do not think for themselves and place their trust blindly in the decisions of people who they think are their natural superiors they are acting irresponsibly.
In summary, George Orwell uses the characters of Napoleon and Boxer in order to make his own critical statement about the abuse of power in authority