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

1.1Plot Summaries

1.1.1Chapters 1-2

1.1.2Chapters 3-4

1.1.3Chapters 5-6

1.1.4Chapters 7-8

1.1.5Chapters 9-10

1.1.6Keywords

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-5

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Chapters 6-10

2Characters & Their Links to History

2.1Key Characters

2.1.1Old Major

2.1.2Snowball

2.1.3Napoleon

2.1.4Squealer

2.1.5Boxer

2.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Characters

2.1.7AO2/3 - Key Characters

2.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Boxer

2.2Other Characters

2.2.1Mr Jones

2.2.2Clover

2.2.3Hens

2.2.4Sheep

2.2.5Mollie

2.2.6Benjamin

2.2.7Moses & Mr Frederick

2.2.8Pilkington & Mr Whymper

2.2.9End of Topic Test - Other Characters

2.2.10End of Topic Test - Other Characters 2

3Key Themes & Orwell's Purpose

3.1Key Themes

3.1.1Education

3.1.2Power & Control

3.1.3Power & Language

3.1.4Equality

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes

4Language, Form & Structure

4.1Language, Form & Structure

4.1.1Form & Structure

4.1.2Language

4.1.3Symbols

4.1.4Narrator & Allegory

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