Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely: an Analysis of "Animal Farm"

Introduction

George Orwell's Animal Farm is a powerful story that shows what happens when people get too much power. Written back in 1945, this book uses a farm with animals to tell a story about the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the rise of Stalin in the Soviet Union. The animals on the farm kick out their human farmer, only to end up being ruled by their fellow animals in a way that's just as bad. Orwell uses this story to talk about how power can really mess people up. This essay looks at how Animal Farm proves that "absolute power corrupts absolutely" by showing how the pigs change from leaders of the revolution to harsh rulers.

At the start, the animals on Mr. Jones's farm are treated really badly. They're inspired by Old Major's dream of a fair society where everyone is equal, so they rebel and kick out Mr. Jones. At first, Animal Farm is all about Animalism, which puts the group's needs above individual wants. They come up with the Seven Commandments, especially "All animals are equal," to show their high hopes for the future.

But things start changing when the pigs, mainly Napoleon and Snowball, take charge. They start fighting for control. When Napoleon kicks out Snowball, the corruption begins. With Napoleon in power, things start going downhill with lies, tricks, and total control.

Napoleon keeps his power by changing the Seven Commandments to fit what he wants. The original rule "All animals are equal" turns into "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This twist shows just how corrupt things have gotten. The pigs start acting just like the humans they fought against, drinking, sleeping in beds, and doing business with humans.

Napoleon also uses propaganda and fear to keep control. Squealer, his right-hand pig, twists words and facts to defend the pigs' actions and keep the other animals in line. They keep bringing up the fear of Jones coming back to stop anyone from speaking out. The sheep, always repeating "Four legs good, two legs bad," show how the masses can be controlled and used.

As individual freedoms disappear and a totalitarian regime takes over, the main theme of the story becomes clear. The animals, who once were united, now find themselves divided and oppressed. Boxer's betrayal, the hardworking horse, really hits home. Even though Boxer is loyal and works hard, he's sold off when he's no longer useful. This betrayal shows just how morally rotten Napoleon's rule has become.

Orwell's story of the pigs turning from revolutionary leaders to tyrants warns us about the dangers of too much power. The dreams of fairness and justice are crushed by those who were supposed to uphold them. The story shows that without checks and balances, power will always lead to corruption and the oppression of the very people it was supposed to help.

Conclusion

In the end, George Orwell's Animal Farm is a strong example of the saying "absolute power corrupts absolutely." Through the story of a farm revolution that goes wrong, Orwell shows how power can corrupt and turn idealistic leaders into oppressive rulers. This book reminds us of the need for vigilance, accountability, and keeping democratic principles strong. By looking at how the pigs gain power and then become corrupt, Animal Farm highlights the dangers of unchecked authority and the importance of preventing too much power from ending up in the hands of a few.