Animal Farm - Napolean's Character

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Napoleon, who is the chief character of the novel, is a large, rather fierce looking Berkshire boar, “The only Berkshire on the farm”. The fact that he was the only Berkshire on the farm already hints to the reader the idea of division as he is considered superior among the pigs. He was “Not much of a talker, but with a reputation of getting his own way”. It’s worth noting that Snowball is a better public speaker, and is also better at winning popular favour. Yet it’s Napoleon, the more treacherous and cunning of the two pigs, that manages to get his way. There is a sense of foreboding (anxiety) even in his initial description which brings out a hint of violence and manipulation skills. This shows us that from the very beginning of the novella Napoleon emerges as an utterly corrupt opportunist. Although he is always present at the meetings, Napoleon never makes a single contribution to the revolution- not to the formation of its ideology, not to the bloody struggle that it necessitates (requires), not to the new society’s initial attempts to establish itself. Never does he show an interest in Animal Farm itself, but only the strength of his power over it. Obviously a metaphor for Stalin, Comrade Napoleon represents the human frailties (deficiencies) of any revolution. Orwell believed that although socialism is good as an ideal, it can never be successfully adopted due to uncontrollable sins of human nature. The name ‘Napoleon’ brings to mind the French dictator, and Orwell intended this, maybe to emphasises his true opinion on the true nature of Russian communism as not a dictatorship for working classes, but a simple dictatorship run by a self-interested leader. After the death of Old major, Napoleon and Snowball both become the leaders as they take charge of Animal Farm. As Snowball is constantly trying to educate and improve the farm, Napoleon takes no interest
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