Truth and Hypocrisy in Animal Farm and the Scarlet Letter
Truth and Hypocrisy In Animal Farm and The Scarlet Letter
Lies are often distorted into truth by those in power, who eventually become hypocrites
as they continue to delude for selfish gain. In the process of this distortion, they will do
everything possible to conceal and maintain their hunger for dominance and deference. This
theme of truth ( or lack thereof ) and ultimate hypocrisy is skillfully shown through Napoleon
in George Orwell 's Animal Farm, and Reverend Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The
Scarlet Letter.
One of the most notable characteristics shared by Napoleon and Reverend Dimmesdale is
their ability to skillfully twist lies into the truth. In Animal Farm, Napoleon is relentless in his
deception of the other animals. According to Graham Greene ( Bloom, 1996, 21), he is a
"consummate powermonger" who can skillfully undermine any idea that isn 't his own. The first
signs of his dishonesty are shown when he hoards the milk and apples, with a message to the
others that " It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples." ( Orwell, 52 ) From
there, the lies only increase in frequency and size. It 's easy to compare this to the deceptive
nature of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale of The Scarlet Letter. The young minister veils his sin
from his Puritanical community by "cultivating an image that is far from the real truth."
( Johnson, 14) From the revelation of Hester 's scarlet letter to that of his own, Dimmesdale
conceals his shame by portraying himself as a "miracle of holiness". ( Hawthorne, 139) Thus,
both Napoleon and the minister share the negative attribute of fraudulence throughout their
respective novels.
Another notable comparison between the two novels is that both Napoleon and
Dimmesdale lie for ambition. This is distinctly observable in Animal Farm, where the pigs take
the immediate initiative to establish themselves as the leaders.
Lies are often distorted into truth by those in power, who eventually become hypocrites
as they continue to delude for selfish gain. In the process of this distortion, they will do
everything possible to conceal and maintain their hunger for dominance and deference. This
theme of truth ( or lack thereof ) and ultimate hypocrisy is skillfully shown through Napoleon
in George Orwell 's Animal Farm, and Reverend Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The
Scarlet Letter.
One of the most notable characteristics shared by Napoleon and Reverend Dimmesdale is
their ability to skillfully twist lies into the truth. In Animal Farm, Napoleon is relentless in his
deception of the other animals. According to Graham Greene ( Bloom, 1996, 21), he is a
"consummate powermonger" who can skillfully undermine any idea that isn 't his own. The first
signs of his dishonesty are shown when he hoards the milk and apples, with a message to the
others that " It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples." ( Orwell, 52 ) From
there, the lies only increase in frequency and size. It 's easy to compare this to the deceptive
nature of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale of The Scarlet Letter. The young minister veils his sin
from his Puritanical community by "cultivating an image that is far from the real truth."
( Johnson, 14) From the revelation of Hester 's scarlet letter to that of his own, Dimmesdale
conceals his shame by portraying himself as a "miracle of holiness". ( Hawthorne, 139) Thus,
both Napoleon and the minister share the negative attribute of fraudulence throughout their
respective novels.
Another notable comparison between the two novels is that both Napoleon and
Dimmesdale lie for ambition. This is distinctly observable in Animal Farm, where the pigs take
the immediate initiative to establish themselves as the leaders.
Bibliography: ( Works Cited List ) - Cliffs Notes on Orwell 's Animal Farm, Allen, David, Cliffs Notes, Inc., 1981, USA - George Orwell 's Animal Farm, Ball, David, Barron 's Educational Series, Inc., 1984, NY - George Orwell 's Animal Farm, Bloom, Harold, Chelsea House Publishers, 1996, PA - Modern Critical Interpretations: Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The Scarlet Letter, Bloom, Harold, Chelsea House Publishers, 1986 - The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington Square Press Publications, 1989, NY - Understanding The Scarlet Letter: A Student Casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents, Johnson, Claudia Durst, Greenwood Publishing Group Inc., 1995, CT - Readings on The Scarlet Letter, Morey, Eileen, Greenhaven Press Inc., 1998, CA - Animal Farm, George Orwell, Penguin Putnam Inc., 1996