Swine Scheme

Said Joseph Stalin. Stalin has won many elections because he counted the vote. Stalin gained power by manipulating the system. Other power-hungry leaders gain power through similar abuses. In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell , Napoleon controls all of the power by the end of the novel. At first, Napoleon is a pig who is part of the revolted against Mr. Jones. He becomes a leader alongside Snowball. When Snowball is exiled from the farm, Napoleon slowly increases his power. Napoleon seizes control of the farm by creating fear amongst the animals, establishing a cult of personality, and manipulating the rules and politics of the farm.

The other animals do not question Napoleon because he terrorizes them with dogs and Snowball rumors. After Napoleon removes Snowball, he ends the public meetings. Some pigs are not happy with the new policy. They begin to protest but are interrupted. “But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep, menacing growls, and the pigs fell silent and sat down again” (Orwell 50). Napoleon has gained a lot of power by controlling who speaks. Animals can no longer openly question his regime because the dogs will silence them. In addition to this, Napoleon has ensured that there will be no public discussions anymore. This grants Napoleon power over what happens within the internal government. Napoleon terrorizes the animals through another way. He constantly blames Snowball for everything that has gone wrong. He spreads the idea that Snowball is trying to bring the end for Animal Farm. After the windmill is knocked over by storms, he blames Snowball. “In sheer malignity, thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion, this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year” (Orwell 64). Napoleon convinces the other animals that Snowball is a bad guy. This puts fear into the animals that Animal Farm will end by Snowball’s hands. This action removes the animals’ rational thought. That rational thought could been used to question Napoleon’s rule. Therefore, by instilling fear within the animals about Snowball, Napoleon gains power because the other animals stop questioning his actions. Napoleon gains power with fear. First, he uses dogs and later, he uses fear of Snowball.

Napoleon sets up a cult of personalty which allows him to do whatever he wants. When Squealer begins bashing Snowball’s reputation, Boxer disagrees. However, when Squealer mentions that Napoleon said that Snowball was a double agent from the start, Boxer agrees with the following words. “If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right” (Orwell 73). Boxer and the animals believe that Napoleon can do not wrong. When Squealer questions the other animal’s beliefs, he is not seen as automatically right. However, if Squealer says that Napoleon said it, then the statement is automatically right. This is a cult of personality because Napoleon is seen as the most important figure who leads the society by his always correct actions. Napoleon is free to label Snowball a traitor because everyone believes that he is infallible. Napoleon’s cult of personality extends farther than Boxer. It reaches other dumb animals like the hens. After Napoleon executed dozens of animals conspiring with Snowball, the animals believe Napoleon is a magical leader. One hen thanks Napoleon for granting her eggs. “Under the guidance of our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, I have laid five eggs in six days” (Orwell 82-83). The animals believe that Napoleon can give animals the ability to perform better. This is in line with the ideas of the cult of personality. Napoleon gains more power being viewed as magical. His reputation grows and animals begin worshipping him. This allows Napoleon to do more wrong and not be questioned which eventually allows him to take over animal farm.

Napoleon manipulates the rules and politics on the farm to favor him. After Napoleon drinks and enjoys his alcohol, he want to make some. Unfortunately for him, there is a rule that animals are not allowed to drink alcohol. Napoleon sends Squealer to fix this problem. “Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a paint-brush, and an overturned pot of white paint” (Orwell 95).Obviously, Squealer is changing the rules with the white paint and paint-brush. Because the other animals do not disobey the Seven Commandments, changing them benefits Napoleon. This gives him more power over the political situation and control over the animals. Napoleon’s control over Animal Farm increases by giving himself more power. Alongside this, Napoleon gives more power to pigs. Pigs have more rights than other animals. Napoleon creates a new law. “It was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path, the other animal must stand aside” (Orwell 99). Pigs are the ones who decide the politics. The pigs support Napoleon because he is giving them more power. Therefore, by increasing the power of the pigs, Napoleon increases his own political power. As stated above, more political power leads to more control over the farm.

Napoleon took control over Animal Farm through three ways. Firstly, he scared the animals with dogs so they do not question his rules and later with Snowball plots so they do not question his rules. Secondly, he establishes the fact that he is the one who knows it all which is proven by Boxer saying he is always right, and the animals believe he can control fate. Thirdly, Napoleon manipulates the politics of Animal Farm to favor him through the rule changing and increased pig power. Through these actions, Napoleon gains control over Animal Farm.