Ms. Abasta
English 9, Period 3
March 12, 2009
Corruption Of Power
Can power really corrupt a person? Power can corrupt anybody who steps up as a
leader, especially when power is unchecked. In Animal Farm, by George Orwell,
Snowball and Napoleon fight for the top spot as leader, but on the way they become
corrupted. As the animals discover new things and obtain them the pigs cunningly keep it
for themselves. Even do Snowball also became corrupted Napoleon showed cruel force
and intimidation to the animals to keep his position.
Snowball became corrupt at some point during his time in power, but he always
had the best interest for the farm. “Without halting for an instant, Snowball flung his
fifteen stone against Jone’s leg (p.37).” Even do Snowball was injured by Jone’s gun he
got up and fought for the farm, animals, and freedom. His bravery in the war showed his
true intentions for the animals, while Napoleon just hid and stayed behind. “At the
meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches (p.43).”
Snowball usually is able to persuade the vote to go his way with intelligence and
speeches rather than through cruelty and fear. Snowball usually came up or sided with
ideas that benefited the farm in a positive way like the windmill. In the end Snowball
benefited the farm in a positive way for the animals, and not abusing his power.
Unlike Snowball, Napoleon showed his authority through fear and intimidation.
“When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out and in
a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess
(p.75).” Demanding the animals to confess a crime they never had done with force, then
killing them puts fear in the rest of the animals causing them to not act out against
Napoleon. Also this fear and