Two dominant pigs overlooked the farm, one was snowball and the other was Napoleon. Snowball had a excellent use of words and was a extremely convincing individual. Napoleon was a very head strong pig, whose determination and leadership, demanded respect from the other animals. They both had different ideas on how the farm should be run. If one proposed a idea the other would immediately reject it.
‘If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acerage of barley, the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats’
These two very quickly become rivals and it becomes clear that this cannot continue for very long.
It is only a matter of time until napoleon patience runs thin. Snowball has made a popular speech on the construction of the windmill, and as usual the animals support his views. It has now become necessary for napoleon to over throw snowball, after realising he could not compete with snowballs intellect, but he could rule by fear and power. He then runs snowball out of the farm with the use of his army of nine dogs, from this point on the farm is under his dictatorship.
Napoleon almost immediately after abolishing snowball, announces all Sunday meetings would come to a end. He states they ‘were unnecessary,’ and ‘wasted time,’ from there on out all questions relating to the farm would be decided by a committee of pigs. He also bans the singing ‘Beasts of England,’ the song spoke of how after the rebellion the animals would be leading a much happier and exciting life, with more food and free time for everyone. Unfortunately the reality is far from the songs words, and Napoleon realises that the animals will eventually see this. In order to explain this ban, Squealer convinces the animals that the song is irrelevant, since the rebellion is over and this better society they have longed for was established. Of course this is just a cover up, to hide the fact that life is worse now then it ever was with Jones.
Napoleon although having seized control of the farm still looks upon snowball as a threat. He states that snowball was a traitor and was infact allied with Jones all along. Snowball fought bravely at the battle of the cowshed, and yet Napoleon tries to convince the animals that he infact he tried to sabotage the rebellion. As time passes the story dramatically changes, in where the wound inflicted on snowball by Jones with his gun was not Jones doing at all. Napoleon claims that he gave Snowball the injury, after discovering Snowballs alliance with Jones, we all know this to be untrue. Napoleon changes history, as it seems to justify chasing snowball off the farm, seeking approval for his doing.
Throughout the book the pigs repeatedly violate the seven commandments, but are excused as they alter the rules to assist their needs. A good example of this is the sixth commandment ‘ No animal should kill another animal’ this is quickly changed to ‘No animal should kill another animal without cause’ This was done as a result of the show trials carried out by Napoleon and his dogs. In where animals confessed to crimes they did not commit, they admitted to helping snowball destroy all that was good in the farm, and they collaborated and made a agreement to hand over Animal Farm to Mr Fredrick. Of course this is not true but these so called traitors were executed on the spot by the nine ruthless dogs. Napoleon in that instant shows the violent extent that he is prepared to go to, to keep his absolute control. He punished this so called betrayal, with death; these sacrifices made are proof of his power.
Napoleons main source of power was through squiler; whose propaganda convinced the animals of napoleons leadership and its benefits to the farm, and every individual. Without squilers wit and persuasive explanations, a revolt would have certainly have happened earlier on in the revolution, as the animals would have swiftly realised Napoleons intensions and overthrown his command.
I think that George Orwell is showing he views on communism, and describes an accurate account of what happened in Russia. He is extremely anti the communist regime and presents his views in his book. The moral consideration of animal farm is that power corrupts people, and if given the chance will abuse their position. This is shown by the pig’s selfish ways, changing the rules to accommodate themselves. At the beginning of the revolution the animals had good intensions and they held on to a dream they so strongly believed. However communism has proved on many occasions to be better in theory than in actual reality.
