The discourse of power and control is evident in George Orwells novel Animal Farm, through the character representations of the pigs, in particular, the totalitarian dictator, Napoleon. The basic principle of the revolution, all animals are equal is slowly transformed into some animals are more equal than others through the strategies of Napoleon and the pigs in order to gain and maintain their power and control over the other animals. These strategies include establishing a power base, using terror and propaganda and living a life of luxury at the expense of others. However, strategies such as these would not be able to be implemented if it were not for the naivety and gullibility of the other animals. Orwell positions the reader to see the effects of a dictatorship especially how it can control a whole society.
By establishing a power base, the pigs are able to manipulate the other animals in their rise to power. In the early stages of the revolution, Napoleon trains the puppies of Jessie and Bluebell to be at his command by removing them from life on the farm and brainwashing them. When Snowball unveiled his plans for the windmill, Napoleon, ... uttered a high-pitched whimper... and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn (Orwell 1945, p. 35). The enforcement of terror and force through the use of the dogs dramatically frightens the other animals. With the dogs as their enforcements, Napoleon and the pigs are able to convince the other animals that they are always right. When Squealer is sent to explain why Napoleon, now that Snowball was gone, claims the windmill as his own, ...the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they [the other animals] accepted his explanation without further questions (p.39). By seizing power by force, Napoleon annuls the other animals right to choose their leaders; forcing the only privileges upon himself, his fellow pigs and the dogs.
As a way of convincing the other animals that his actions are just, Napoleon uses Squealer as a propaganda machine. Squealer is ... a brilliant talker... the others [often] said ... that he could turn black into white (p.9). When Napoleon does something that is questionable, he sends Squealer to the other animals to persuade them that he is always right. For example, when Napoleon steals the cows milk and rations all of the apples to himself and the other pigs, he sends Squealer to reassure the other animals of his actions. Many of us actually dislike milk and apples ... milk and apples ... contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig (p.23). As Squealer is such a brilliant talker, he can easily convince the gullible animals of anything. The animals have been indoctrinated by the dictator, Napoleon; into believing anything he says or does. Consequently, they believe that the pigs deserve all of the milk and apples. Napoleon and the other pigs gain many privileges through their propaganda tactics.
As part of his rise to power, Napoleon chooses to live a life of luxury. However, this life is lived at the expense of others. When the hard-working horse, Boxer, decides to retire due to old age, Napoleon sees this as an opportunity to increase his luxuries. He orders for Boxer to be sold to the Glue Factory, using the money to buy himself and the other pigs unnecessary alcohol. He once again, sends Squealer to convince the other animals that Boxer has become very old and tired and that he died a most peaceful death. Squealer says that Boxer had received the most admirable care ... and ... expensive medicines for which Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost (p.84). The other animals, in fact, believe this, and therefore, develop more admiration for their leader, Napoleon and his associates. Throughout the course of the novel, Napoleon increases his luxuries. He ultimately ends up living as a human would. He totally disregards the seven commandments, which were earlier established as a part of the revolution. By continuing to indoctrinate the animals, Napoleon is able to continue living his life of luxury.
The discourse of power and control is represented throughout every strategy used by Napoleon on his rise to power. These questionable strategies used by the pigs to gain and maintain their power and control over the other animals all contribute to the morphing of the basic principle of the revolution, all animals are equal. By indoctrinating the other animals, Napoleon is able to manipulate the naive and gullible animals into doing anything he wants. It turns out that some animals are more equal than others.
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