"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Discuss

“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Discuss it with reference to Napoleon as a corrupt leader and absolute dictator.

‘Animal Farm’ shows a bitter satire against the dictatorship of Napoleon Discuss it in your own words.

Animal Farm’ shows the beginning of Napoleon’s rise of power and tyranny as well as the decline of ideals. Discuss it.

Ans.

Introduction

As we study the story of the novel, “Animal Farm written by George Orwell we find that the rise of power and its consequent result becomes very clear. With reference to the gist of the story it may be truly said that, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely it is necessary to point out that all revolutions are inspired with noble ideals. In the same way. Old Major had told the animals to revolt because they were exploited by Mr. Jones. He also advised them that they should not do what Mr. Jones and his men were doing. After three days, Old Major died and the animals formulated his advice into. ‘Animalism’ which means that no animal shall sleep in bed because all the animals are equal. It means that they should not live luxurious life and they should work hard.

The Ideals before Revolution

There were some noble ideals before the animals prior to the revolution. That they should work hard for necessary development for all the animals. Only such ideals had inspired them to take part in the revolution. All the animals were much shocked at the death of Old Major after three days of his great speech. They appointed Napoleon and Snowball that they should complete the work of the animal farm. With the united efforts Mr. Jones was defeated and turned out of the farm. All the animals enjoyed freedom.

All the animals decided that they would work under the ideals prescribed by Old Major. Both Napoleon and Snowball formulated the ideals of Old Major into a system known as. Animalism’. Seven commandments were made under which all the animals should be regarded equal. They should regard man as their enemy. They should not live luxurious life. No animal should be killed by any other animal. They should not make use of liquor. The rules were written on the wall of the farm.

Napoleon’s Power and Tyranny

The story of the present novel shows that Napoleon assumed more and more powers till he became a dictator in the animal farm. He started practicing tyranny against the animals of the farm. He took the support of all the pigs who were given some special rights to drink milk, eat apples and deep on bed. As a result of this they used to support him right and wrong. Squealer, the chief flatterer of Napoleon also supported him and all the pigs to make Napoleon cruel and dictator. Snowball who was the chief rival of Napoleon was attacked by the four ferocious dogs of Napoleon. He became so much frightened that he escaped out of the farm. His dogs also used to give a threat of life to those animals who used to oppose Napoleon in his politics. In this way, all the noble ideals declined and disappeared. Snowball was declared as a traitor and the pigs were alerted to kill him if they caught him alive. This order was given by Napoleon to become a cruel and perfect dictator. No animal dared to oppose him with the fear of ferocious dogs. Napoleon also reduced the ration of hens and sheep and also they were given the threat of death punishment. Thus, the noble ideals disappeared out-and-out.

Decline of All the Ideals

When Napoleon became dictator of the animal farm he disregarded all the noble commandments of, ‘Animalism’. Some of them were modified according to the needs of Napoleon and the pigs. He himself started acting like Mr. Jones. He moved in the farm as a cruel leader and he did not like to mix with the animals. Sunday meetings were cancelled. Both Napoleon and the pigs used to drink wine daily but no other animal was permitted to break any such rule. Other animals were so much afraid of Napoleon and his ferocious dogs that they did not dare to oppose him. In the end, all the seven commandments were abolished and new rules took their place. Some animals became superior. Manor Farm was changed again.

The Novel shows Bitter Satire

The present story of the novel. ‘Animal Farm’ clearly shows that George Orwell made use of the element of bitter satire. He shows that all revolutions start with good ideals and noble aims but they are disregarded when they achieve freedom and success. The coming rulers become cruel and hard-hearted. Then they start to treat the common people in a highly cruel and inhuman manner. For example, Napoleon became an absolute and cruel dictator of the animal farm. He and his dogs compelled Snowball to run out of that farm to save his life. He was a brave warrior and a fine speaker.

Conclusion

The story of the novel, ‘Animal Farm’ has been written by George Orwell on the basis of the Russian revolution where the common people were badly treated even after the revolution. Napoleon has been presented as a symbol of Stalin. The message of the novel is that al! people should get social justice and economic equality.