Lord of the Flies Compared to Animal Farm Essay
Dictators often use fear as a control tactic in their countries as they want to make sure they have total power over their people. Fear is defined as an unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, often causing a person to act according to what is necessary for survival. Although fear can be unpleasant, many people like it in different ways; some like the suspense that scary movies bring, while others like the thrill that is created when cliff jumping. George Orwell’s allegory Animal Farm and William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, exemplifies societies who are controlled by authority figures during the war. Jack, a narcissist dictator takes over Ralph’s democratic power over the society and creates his own tribe. Napoleon, also similarly removes Snowball from power. Jack and Napoleon use fear of physical harm and outside influences to control their citizens.
Napoleon and Jack both use physical altercation to impose their power. Napoleon executed any animal that was thought to have betrayed animal farm even though there wasn’t real proof. Violence in the text increases in severity, in accordance with Napoleon’s increasing corruption. It is demonstrated in Animal Farm right after the animals finish their confession, and “the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess” (Orwell 56). Fear is so prevalent in the animals’ lives that, “they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes” (Orwell 58). These events show that Napoleon is a heartless leader and is only looking after ultimate power and control. Jack uses physical abuse to manifest his power. In the fruit of his anger, Jack makes the kids “tie Wilfred up” in order to “beat [him] up”(Golding 176). This proves once more, that whenever anger
Napoleon and Jack both use physical altercation to impose their power. Napoleon executed any animal that was thought to have betrayed animal farm even though there wasn’t real proof. Violence in the text increases in severity, in accordance with Napoleon’s increasing corruption. It is demonstrated in Animal Farm right after the animals finish their confession, and “the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess” (Orwell 56). Fear is so prevalent in the animals’ lives that, “they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes” (Orwell 58). These events show that Napoleon is a heartless leader and is only looking after ultimate power and control. Jack uses physical abuse to manifest his power. In the fruit of his anger, Jack makes the kids “tie Wilfred up” in order to “beat [him] up”(Golding 176). This proves once more, that whenever anger
Cited: Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Toronto: Penguin Books, 1989. Print Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Boston: Faber and Faber Limited, 1958. Print