Power Corrupt, And Absolute Power In Animal Farm By George Orwell

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Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton) This quote is telling us that when people get into roles of absolute power they tend to become corrupt, as a result of that power. This quote can be applied to Napoleon from the book Animal Farm by George Orwell, because at the beginning of the novel Old Major’s words inspired Napoleon. As a result, he believed that humans were evil for forcing animals to work for them and that animals should be able to live freely, not under anyone’s control; however, as the story progresses his belief changed and the animals did not get to live their utopian dream. At the start Napoleon and the other pigs strongly believed that all animals were equal and had the right to live in a place that took care of their well being. The first thing they established in the farm was the system of Animalism, which stated that all animals were equal and that they should all share responsibilities and rewards of the farm. As a result, they established the seven commandments, which stated some rules for the farm, some of those rules were, “Whatever upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings in a friend and no animal shall wear clothes or sleep on beds” (Orwell 43.) They were also able to have plenty of food and great havestes, the following quote actually tells us, the result of this, “Nobody stole, nobody grumbled over his rations, the quarreling and biting jealousy which had been normal features

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