3.1.2
Power & Control
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Power and Control
Power and violence is linked from the moment that Mr Jones fires his gun to silence the animals.
Jones' cruelty
- Jones’ cruelty is also seen when Old Major says to the younger male pigs: “every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year”.
- The other farmers also control their animals by beating them.
Physical strength and limitations
- We see that Boxer is physically powerful in the opening chapter: “as strong as any two ordinary horses put together”.
- However, Boxer is weak in comparison to Napoleon as he is uneducated and blindly loyal.
Animalism
- Animalism (which is the animal equivalent of communism) is all about being equal: equality amongst all animals.
- However, Napoleon takes power and therefore Animalism is corrupted and the more power Napoleon gains, the more corrupt he becomes. Therefore, Orwell’s message here is that power corrupts.
Control of language, actions and thoughts
- Over the novel, Napoleon takes control of language (banned freedom of speech, Squealer’s propaganda, changing history, the names used to praise Napoleon), actions (the dogs, giving the animals less food if they don’t work and purges) and thoughts (through removing freedom of speech, democracy, fear and propaganda).
Power and Control - Context
Orwell was influenced by his experiences in the Spanish Civil war.
Orwell in war
- Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil war on the side of the Republicans and against the Nationalists (Fascists).
- Franco, who was leading the Nationalist side, became the dictator of Spain and ruled until his death in 1975.
- Orwell’s side was made of socialists and communists and he became disillusioned with revolutionary politics when he saw the way that his own side fought amongst themselves and the violence and corruption that went on within his own side.
Messages in Animal Farm
- Therefore, Animal Farm doesn’t imply that to rebel against corrupt leadership is bad, but it is what happens after which is important and who takes power after the revolution is complete.
- Animal Farm is therefore an attack, a political commentary, on all dictators. It clearly demonstrates how dictators are able to seize and hold on to power.
1Important Plot Features
2Characters & Their Links to History
2.1Key Characters
3Key Themes & Orwell's Purpose
4Language, Form & Structure
4.1Language, Form & Structure
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Characters Quotes
5.2Text Structure Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Important Plot Features
2Characters & Their Links to History
2.1Key Characters
3Key Themes & Orwell's Purpose
4Language, Form & Structure
4.1Language, Form & Structure
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Characters Quotes
5.2Text Structure Quotes
Practice questions on Power & Control
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Evidence that or ways in which Napoleon controls language:Fill in the list
- 2How does Napoleon control thoughts?Fill in the list
- 3What is animalism? Multiple choice
- 4
- 5What is _Animal Farm_ viewed as?Multiple choice
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