Power and Possession in Animal Farm

Nguyen

Power and Possession

Have you ever felt that rush of excitement when you can do whatever you want without thinking of the consequences? If so, wasn’t it one of the greatest feelings you’ve ever felt? The feelings that describe us that we are leaders, that we have followers and our every move are important to the people around us? Power is the one possession that everyone desires. It lets you feel that one can do anything he or she wants without the consequences of his or her actions. In George Orwell’s illuminating fable of “Animal Farm,” he describes how a pig named Napoleon takes over an entire farm. Napoleon, with his sly group of trustworthy pigs, maintains power and takes over “Manor Farm” by using the concepts of intimidation, fear, and persuasion.

Intimidation is a malicious, yet intelligent way to gather up people to join a force. By intimidating someone, one would be too frightened to stand up for his or her self. Thus, he or she would have no other choice but to go along with the event of intimidation. In Napoleon’s case, he uses intimidation by having a group of dogs to stand as his bodyguard.

“Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creature came from, but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately. Though not yet full grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to Napoleon.” (Orwell 68).

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This shows that the ferocious dogs intimidate the silent and terrified animals. Thus, when the animals are intimidated, they will follow Napoleon’s orders because the gullible animals would believe that if they didn’t do what Napoleon orders, they would be harmed by his dogs. Another example of Napoleon’s use of intimidating the animals on the farm is the use of torture and immediate death when an animal claims their wrong doings. In the novel, Napoleon punishes the animals for being dishonest by slaughtering them to scattered pieces. “When it was all over, the remaining animals, except for the pigs and dogs, crept away in a body. They were shaken and miserable. They did not know which was more shocking---the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball, or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed.” (93). This shows how Napoleon treated the animals that were being disloyal to him. This punishment is a way of showing that Napoleon has power over the entire farm. Whether they sided with Snowball, stole small amounts of food, or lied about a doing, they would be sentenced to their own death. Thus, intimidation is one of the wicked ways to gain power. However, it is not the only way. Napoleon, with his nasty brilliance, uses fear in addition to maintaining power.

Fear? Some can say they are afraid of pain, death, or facing the miserable realities of life. In this case, the animals on “Manor Farm” fear what would happen if their former owner, Jones would come back. If Jones were to come back to the farm and take over once again, the animals would believe that they would be under abusive treatment, pain, and stress. An example of this doing is, “It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed our duty? Jones would come back! Yes, Jones would come back! Surely, comrades, surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?” (52). This shows how Napoleon uses fear to maintain power. Since the animals are so afraid of Jones, they believe that whatever Napoleon tells them to do, they would do it because then, Jones wouldn’t come back to “torture” them. Another one of Napoleon’s tactics to evoke fear and maintain power is by telling the animals that the pigs can sleep on beds without sheets. This shows how the pigs live a lavish lifestyle and just one little comment on Jones, would scare the animals to work. “You would not rob us of our repose, would you, comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back.” (80) It’s amazing to see how a puny threat like Jones would drive a group of oblivious animals to undergo the powers of the pigs. In addition to maintaining power, it is not just intimidation and fear that Napoleon uses. Another source are the limits of persuasion.

Persuasion is one of the many ways that can lead one to undergo another’s wishes. With the help of Napoleon’s most trusted sidekick Squealer, they have the power to take over the entire farm. “He was a brilliant talker, and when he was arguing from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive. The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.”(36) This shows since Squealer is such a brilliant public spokesman, he can basically turn something evil into good. Thus, since Squealer has this kind of power, he can tell the animals that Snowball is actually an evil enemy, which the animals did believe. “I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes wide open. For we have reason to think that some of Snowball’s secret agents are lurking among us at this moment!” This combination of fear and persuasiveness has helped Napoleon work his way to the peak of class. Since Squealer follows Napoleon’s orders, he has helped him persuade the animals to side with Napoleon instead of Snowball for it is said that Snowball had sided with Jones. So in the end, intimidation, fear, and persuasion combined have overcome every move, and knowledge of the animals.

In addition to Napoleon’s tactics to maintaining power, the innocent animals of Manor Farm tricked without any precaution, are under control of the great comrade Napoleon. Intimidation, by the use of dogs and torture has compelled the animals to undergo his powers. Fear from Jones has frightened them to give up leisure time to work together and rethink a way to overcome humans. Furthermore, persuasion, with the help of the spectacular Squealer has played a trick in the minds of many helpless, and oblivious animals of Manor Farm.