Power Hungry Leaders

     As Abraham Lincoln, past president of the United States, once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” The novel Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory to the Russian Revolution. The animals of Animal Farm work to overthrow their human master and run their farm using animalism. Throughout the novel, there is a struggle for power and a constant need for a more thoughtful leader. In his novel, Orwell illustrates how a leader with absolute authority will abuse his power selfishly in order to benefit himself.

     Mr. Jones is one leader who has power and abuses it. His selfish leadership is shown when he goes to town for the weekend. His workers did not feed the animals on Sunday morning and, “When Mr. Jones got back, he immediately went to sleep… so that when evening came, the animals were still unfed.” (Orwell, 19) Jones has all the power and through it he acts as a self-centered dictator. He decided that his desire to rest should precede the animals’ need to be fed.

     The most obvious example of abusive use of power is Napoleon. He forced many animals to come forward and confess to crimes they had not committed. Once each animal had confessed, “They were all slain on the spot… until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood.” (Orwell, 84) It is clear that Napoleon has complete authority over the happenings of Animal Farm, and none of the animals have the courage, or ability, to stand up to him. Using his power to kill his rivals, Napoleon sparked fear in them, lowering the likelihood of a rebellion.

     Not long after the Rebellion, the apples began to ripen and there was extra milk. This extra food was secretly given to split between the pigs instead of being divided proportionately between the animals. “All the pigs were in full agreement on this point, even Snowball and Napoleon” (Orwell, 35) Snowball appears to recognize the needs of the other animals more than the other pigs. However, when given the choice, he puts his own needs and desires before those of the others. Taking the milk and apples is proof of how, when given the opportunity, even Snowball will abuse his power.

     When given power, all the leaders of Animal Farm used it selfishly. Mr. Jones, the powerful founder of Animal Farm, ignored the animals’ needs. By killing innocent animals, Napoleon betrayed the ideas of the Rebellion. Even Snowball, who was more conscious of the other animals’ needs, was blinded by his power, so much that it overwhelmed his idealism. Mr. Jones, Napoleon and Snowball are all prominent leaders who were overcome by their desire for power.