The Relationship Between Snowball And Napoleon In

Animal Farm Essay, Research Paper

The relationship surrounding Snowball and Napoleon in George Orwell s Animal Farm tends to be on rocky grounds. Snowball, a clever pig, tends to be loyal, brave, and outgoing. These are just a few excellent qualities of a leader. Napoleon, a boar, on the other hand, is quite frankly rude, wretched, and full of greed. Both have had their share of leadership on the farm, yet both have had their share of conflict as well.

Snowball, Animal Farm s first and foremost leader, is and always should be well respected. He bravely fought at the battle of Cowshed, the first conflict between man and animal. He took wounds, he took control, and he spoke for the well being of the Animals. He conceived the great windmill that would supply the Animal Farm with electric power. All this for the prosperity of his fellow animal until Napoleon stepped in.

Napoleon was a leader who led with an iron fist. A fist he used to secretly abuse his fellow animal. He began by raising several ferocious dogs to aid him in enforcing his rules, laws, and expectations. Using them, he abruptly ended Snowballs reign by using the dogs to exile him from the farm. Shortly after, he halted the construction of the windmill. More often than not he would cleverly work his way around the seven commandments by altering them to his pleasure. For example, Now animal shall drink alcohol to excess. Or No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. Napoleon grounded the rations of each and every animal. The farm slowly fell into a dark abyss with every wretched move Napoleon made.

What s worse, Napoleon came to constantly use Snowball to shift the blame on every small mishap on the farm. For example, when the windmill was first destroyed by the tornado, Napoleon blamed it on Snowball. Also, Snowball was blame for destroying farm property, mixing foods with weeds, and secretly conspiring with human, which was strictly prohibited by animal law. However, the accusations were never proven true, as Snowball was never heard from again since his expulsion.

The above stated clearly defines the almost disgusting relationship Napoleon and Snowball once shared. It can safely be concluded that Animal Farm is a book very concerned about the politics of leadership and the rise and fall of great leaders. It is said that the events surrounding the Animal Farm are mirrored to the events that took place during the Russian Revolution, yet another example of the rise of great power and the fall of great era s.