Animal Farm Corruption

A novel written by George Orwell in the 1940s has proven to be a classic among many generations. The fascinating story of change, betrayal, and corruption intrigues readers, as a group of animals display the potential downfalls a political system can undergo. Animal Farm reveals the difficulties a group of farm animals face when rising against their farmer. The farm is named Manor farm, which is owned and farmed by Mr. Jones. One night, Mr. Jones forgets to lock the door, resulting in a meeting between all the farm animals. Old Major (a prize-winning boar who was idolized by the other animals) recalls a dream he had the previous night. The “pure bread” among the other animals inspires a rebellion of sorts and depicts a life in which all animals
live together with no humans to oppress or control them. Old Major believed that “man is the only real enemy” (ch1, pg.9) and that they must be removed in order to attain justice.

Three nights after the meeting, the aging boar passes away. Old Major’s words at the meeting and Mr. Jones’ mistreatment of the animals was enough to set the animals off and start a rebellion. While going down to the barn to punish his animals, Mr. Jones and a few of his helpers were vulnerable as the animals butted and kicked them. Mr. Jones and his helpers ran away quickly and the animals were victorious. The animals were now to establish a form of government with no human power, called Animalism. The work of teaching and organizing falls to the pigs, the cleverest of the animals, and especially to two pigs named Napoleon and Snowball. Along with a silver-tongued pig named Squealer, the three pigs direct the other animals under this new formed democracy. Along with this new political system, Animalism, seven commandments were made which represented a set of rules the animals must go by.

The Seven Commandments were presented above the barn door as followed, 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill another animal. 7. All animals are equal.

As well as the other seven commandments that were written out, it was decided that Manor Farm’s name would be changed to Animal Farm.
Also, no work would be done on Sunday’s and a flag raising ceremony would be performed weekly. The pigs (Snowball and Napoleon) were the ones to suggest these ideas, as the other animals were not as smart and could not think of anything. Through these suggestions, a rivalry was formed between Snowball and Napoleon. Once word spread of an “all animal” ran farm, Mr. Jones thought it was time to take back what was once his. The farm animals bravery, along with Snowball’s military skills was enough to fend off an armed Mr. Jones and his men. Once winter came, it was established that the pigs were superior of everyone and were smarter than the other
animals.

The pigs suggested most of the farms decisions, but Snowball and Napoleons altercations would make for inefficient work. None of the disputes amounted to the quantity of the disagreement that would be had on the building of a windmill. Snowball believed the windmill would open up many different opportunities and that the windmill could provide electricity and improve life at the farm. Napoleon did not have any plans himself, but he believed that Snowball’s idea would not mount to anything. Once Snowball’s designs for the windmill were finished, a debate would be held to decide if they would go through with the plan. Snowball had a very promising argument, while Napoleon responds with only a brief retort. It looked as if the odds were in Snowball’s favour, until a pack of nine dogs (these were the “puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately.” (Chapter 5) ) attacked Snowball, forcing him to flee and never be seen again. Napoleon announces a new set of rules that go against the ideology of all of the old rules that were put in place; their would be work on Sunday, the farm would engage in trade with other farms, and meeting on Sunday would also be abolished. The Animal Farm was looking more and more like a Dictatorship run by Napoleon. With these changes, the pigs started moving into the farmhouse and it was rumoured they were sleeping in the beds. Squealer’s excuse is that the pigs need their rest after the daily strain of running the farm.

Three weeks after Snowball's escape, Napoleon surprises everybody by announcing that the windmill will be built.
He sends Squealer to the animals to explain that the windmill was really Napoleon's idea all along and that the plans for it were stolen from him by Snowball. During the following years, the animals work extremely hard to finish the windmill. Raging winds started to form in November, causing the windmill that the animals worked so hard to build, collapse. Napoleon was quick to blame the expelled Snowball for the act pronounced a death sentence for him. Once again, Squealer convinces the animals that Snowball had been an agent for Mr.
Jones.