Essay Sample about Ruler of Animal Farm

Power can often take over a person's life. This especially can happen when it comes to political power. The book “Animal Farm” written by George Orwell is a story about corruption and too much power. This is book is based on a real-life event, The Russian Revolution. Napoleon from the book “Animal Farm” is a dynamic character who is hypocritical, power-hungry, and manipulative. 

Hypocrisy is often viewed as a bad thing because it hides the truth from people who want it. Napoleon constantly showcases this throughout the book. Before Snowball was chased out of the farm by the dogs that Napoleon had trained, both pigs were debating about a windmill being built. “He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense” (Orwell 35).  This shows that Napoleon did not agree with the idea of the windmill being built. A little while after Snowball was no longer on the farm, Napoleon announced something different. “The windmill was, in fact, Napoleon's own creation” (Orwell 39). At first, it was shown that Napoleon was strongly against it but now he said that it was his plan all along. Once Napoleon took over the farm it was almost like there were no commandments at all. One of the commandments stated, “No animals shall kill any other animal.” During the next chapters, Napoleon executed a lot of animals. “They too were slaughtered” (Orwell 56). These animals were slaughtered for being involved with Snowball in mischief. 

A person's attitude can be changed by even a small amount of power. Napoleon is a prime example of this. Napoleon had stolen puppies from Jessie and Bluebell so he could train them to one day attack Snowball. “They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaw” (Orwell 35).  Napoleon had trained them because only then he could have total control of the farm. After finally having total control of the farm, Napoleon decided that he did not want people to have debates anymore. “But there would be no more debates” (Orwell 36). He had done this because he felt the animals would not have a say in any of the decisions made and it would only be up to him. 

Napoleon had a very strong trait which made a lot of people trust him. This trait was being manipulative. After Jessie and Bluebell, the dogs, had given birth, Napoleon took all 9 puppies. “Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education” (Orwell 22).  Napoleon manipulated them into thinking he was taking them for something good when in reality he was taking them to harm Snowball. When the windmill first got destroyed, Napoleon blamed it on Snowball. “Do you know the enemy who was come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!” (Orwell 47). The animals believed him because after all he is the leader and he cannot be wrong. Napoleon tricked the animals into thinking everything bad happened because of Snowball but it was because of Napoleon's actions. 

In conclusion, Napoleon's spoilt character was constantly changing throughout the book. H believed that he was more superior than the other animals. He always tried to find a way to gain more power. Napoleon shows how a very corrupt leader can harm and manipulate a whole society of people. In the end, Napoleon is a dynamic character who is hypocritical, power-hungry, and manipulative.