Snowball’s aim to re-educate the older animals comprising the Egg Production Committee for the hens, the Clean Tails League for the cows, and the Wild Comrades’ Re-education Committee became a failure. Napoleon, who had probably foreseen the futility in these committees, took no interest in them. His philosophy for education was the complete opposite: indoctrinating the young was much more effective than teaching an old dog new tricks. Hence, he took Jessie and Bluebell’s puppies away and said that he would be responsible for their education. With his great foresight, Napoleon was already planning to expel Snowball from Animal Farm. This event had clearly showed the rivalry between Snowball and Napoleon.
In a display of his leadership qualities, Snowball led the animals in the Battle of the Cowshed, having brilliantly planned the strategies and positioned the animals for the battle. In the midst of the battle, Snowball was even hurt by Jones’s pellets. However, under Snowball’s superior leadership, they won the battle and Snowball indisputably won their respect and support. Surprisingly, Napoleon, who was Snowball’s rival, did not take part in the battle.
Snowball and Napoleon disagreed at every point where disagreement was possible. When one suggested sowing a bigger acreage of barley, the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. When one said that a field was just suitable for cabbages, the other would declare that it useless. Apart from the disputes over the windmill, there was the topic on the defence of the farm. According to Napoleon, the animals should be trained in firearms so that Man would not conquer them. Snowball, however, suggested that they send out more pigeons to stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms. By doing this, they need not defend themselves anymore if rebellions happened everywhere.
Although Napoleon was not an eloquent speaker, he was better at canvassing support for himself. One such example was shown when the sheep were especially taken to bleat into the maxim “Four legs good, two legs bad” at crucial moments in Snowball’s speeches. This was part of Napoleon’s plan to sabotage Snowball, a superb talker who convinces easily with his vivaciousness and beauty of language. Napoleon could not bear the thought of Snowball outshining him and outdoing his own attempts at upholding his image as a leader.
The climax of their rivalry was Snowball’s plan, which was to build the windmill at the knoll. It could provide electricity for the farm, light for the stalls and warmth for the animals in winter. The windmill could also run circular saws, chaff-cutters, turnip-slicers and threshing machines. With these machines doing the job for them, the animals could improve themselves with reading and conversation. Best of all, the animals only had to work three days in a week. Although “Napoleon and the full manger” plan could help the animals get more food, so that they would not starve to death, Snowball’s plan seemed to be more favourable. But Napoleon was nonchalant; he had Snowball’s final hour all timed.
Napoleon had made his views on the windmill plan very clear, arriving unexpectedly to examine its blueprint. After looking at Snowball’s creative designs on the floor, he lifted his leg, urinated over them, and walked out without uttering a word. Napoleon’s vulgar act of rejection betrayed his vindictiveness towards Snowball. Snowball’s plan also threatened Napoleon’s position as a leader in the farm. If the majority of the votes from the animals go to Snowball, Napoleon would no longer be regarded as a good leader as he is incapable in taking care of the welfare of the animals. Therefore, Napoleon had to get rid of Snowball, by hook or by crook.
Finally, the day for the animals to vote had arrived. At the Meeting, the animals were to cast their votes on the windmill proposal. Snowball gave convincing reasons for advocating the building of the windmill. In comparison, Napoleon simply said that the whole idea was nonsense, advised everyone not to vote for it, and sat down promptly. Snowball innocuously continued and got carried away with his own speech, describing the privileges the animals would enjoy if the windmill were built. He mentioned that by then, sordid labour was lifted from their backs, electricity could operate threshing machines, ploughs, harrows, rollers and reapers and binders, besides supplying every stall with its own electric light, hot and cold water, and an electric heater. It became obvious as to where the vote should go when Snowball had finished speaking.
Napoleon, by now, had cast a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball and uttered a high-pitched whimper. Immediately, nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars appeared in the barn and made a dash towards Snowball, who took to his heels. In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him. Snowball had been expelled.
Napoleon was confident he would emerge as the victor. His behaviour in the final debate between them was a classic example of his self-assurance. He allowed Snowball to persuade the animals as only he can. He himself hardly said a word. As far as he was concerned, actions speak louder than words. This proves true when, in one moment of astonishing swiftness, daring and confidence, he calls for the dogs. Besides that, Napoleon is also totally ruthless in the way he maintains his power. He does not reveal the slightest interest in the feelings or opinions of others.
As for Snowball, he was too impulsive. As brilliant as his speech was, Snowball did not have a rein on his imagination. This impetuousness blinded him to the dangerous albeit quiet schemes of Napoleon. He had not thought deep enough about the consequences of his own actions, which eventually led to his unceremonious and ignominious expulsion.
Ironically, Napoleon and Snowball’s rivalry did not end with Snowball’s disappearance. If anything, it accentuated Napoleon’s paranoia and animosity against Snowball. Afraid of his nemesis returning, Napoleon resorted to all ways and means conceivable to condemn Snowball. Examples include brainwashing the animals that Snowball was a traitor, making him the scapegoat for any unfortunate farm happenings, and offering a bounty for Snowball – dead or alive. Napoleon’s psychotic fear of his rival also led to his purge of the animals suspected to be in league with Snowball. Hence, his adversary being in exile, with his whereabouts a mystery, was by far more threatening to Napoleon than having him blatantly opposing him in the farm. Such was depth of the rivalry and hatred between them.
