Power in Animal Farm

Animal Farm One of America’s most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. ” This statement stands through all of history as countless world leaders have abused their power constantly. This also shows in the novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm. The pigs in power, and especially Napoleon, tend to constantly abuse their power and be corrupted by it. Three ways power affects the novel are the corruption of power with Napoleon, the pigs taking advantage of their power, and the eventual outcome of the book.
As soon as Napoleon had some power he began to scheme to fully take it. “Nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. ” Napoleon had raised dogs since they were little and readied them so he can one day take over the farm. Napoleon then used these dogs to ensure his power multiple times, especially when an uprising was bound to happen. Napoleon became corrupted with power and used it to do his biddings. It is also seen that the dogs wagged their tail in a similar manner as they used to for Jones.
Along with Napoleon, all the other pigs, who were regarded as the most intelligent of animals, soon began to corrupt their power too. “The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. ” The pigs seemed to have the greatest amount of food and all sorts of luxuries. The pigs would even break the Seven Commandments when they wanted to and used Squealer, Napoleon’s right hand man(pig), to explain to the animals what has happened and take advantage of them. The pigs began to sleep in beds and become more and more humanlike as well.

The final outcome of the book is also influenced by the pigs corruption of power. “Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. ” The pigs began to abuse their power so much they started becoming almost completely humans. They drank alcohol, slept in beds, and walked on their hind feet. With this final transformation into humans, the fate of Animal Farm has been destined for destruction.
The pigs will continue fighting for power and then once a rebellion occurs the next animals shall too. Power is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Once obtained the individual or party grows to become more attached to this power and eventually corrupted with it. “Power Corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts absolutely. ” (Lord Acton. ) The animals on Animal Farm felt the effect of corruption in power when the pigs started to constantly abuse it. It is truly hard to find a good leader when power does these horrid effects to most people in control. “Power Corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts absolutely. ”