Napoleon's Integrity

“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible,” declared Dwight D. Eisenhower, the thirty-fourth president of the United States. In George Orwell’s allegory Animal Farm, the boar Napoleon, who rises to power following the overthrow of Farmer Jones, does not demonstrate integrity. As the story progresses, Orwell gradually exposes Napoleon as a self-centered, manipulative dictator. Like his real-life counterpart, Josef Stalin, Napoleon cares little for the wellbeing of his followers and employs deception and brutality to maintain control. Under his rule, the peaceful socialist government in which the beasts take pride deteriorates into a harsh totalitarian one. Because of his self-seeking
Often through his influential representative, Squealer, Napoleon routinely lies to the unintelligent animals. For instance, he alters the story of the Battle of the Cowshed to paint himself as a heroic figure. In actuality Napoleon accomplishes nothing remarkable during the battle, but Squealer later convinces the other animals otherwise: “Do you not remember… [how] when panic was spreading and all seemed lost, that Comrade Napoleon sprang forward with a cry of ‘Death to Humanity!’ and sank his teeth in Jones’s leg?” (81). Although Napoleon commands his followers’ admiration, he does not deserve that respect, for he obtains it deceitfully. He also conceals his own shortcomings by persuading the other animals to blame Snowball, whom he banished from Animal Farm, for all of the farm’s misfortunes. “Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball” (78). By slandering Snowball, Napoleon deviously establishes himself among the other animals as the only fitting leader for Animal Farm. Admittedly, one instance of Napoleon’s trickery averts an attack on the farm when food supplies run low. “Napoleon was well aware of the bad results that might follow if the real facts of the food situation were known, and he decided to make use of Mr. Whymper to spread a contrary impression” (75). Though misleading the neighboring farmers proves advantageous in that instance, Napoleon’s
Though he has the potential to become a great leader, he allows selfish ambition to overshadow the original dream of a farm where animals live in harmony and contentment. With dishonest and harsh conduct, Napoleon ultimately establishes himself as a dictator, leaving the other animals miserable. Through his utter lack of integrity in his actions, Napoleon proves himself unfit to rule. He also indicates how individuals in any position of authority have the opportunity to become a deceiver and oppressor or a blessing and inspiration. Truly effective leaders earn their followers’ esteem by displaying unselfishness, honesty, and