George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) serves as a powerful allegory for the corrupting influence of power, reflecting the political upheavals of the 20th century. This essay explores the concept of power and its inevitable descent into corruption, using the famous axiom “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” attributed to Lord Acton (Dalberg-Acton, 1887). By examining the characters Mollie the horse and Napoleon the pig, the analysis will reveal how power, whether pursued or wielded, distorts ideals and fosters exploitation. The narrative of Animal Farm illustrates how revolutionary zeal deteriorates into tyranny, offering a critique of power dynamics that remains relevant today. This essay argues that Orwell presents power as a catalyst for corruption, whether through individual capitulation to temptation or systemic oppression, ultimately demonstrating the fragility of egalitarian principles in the face of unchecked authority.
Mollie the Horse: The Lure of Comfort as a Form of Corruption
Mollie, the vain and materialistic horse, embodies the subtle corruption that emerges from an individual’s desire for personal gain over collective ideals. From the outset, Mollie struggles with the principles of Animalism, showing reluctance to abandon human comforts such as sugar and ribbons (Orwell, 1945). Her eventual defection to a human farm reflects a form of corruption driven by the allure of an easier life, betraying the revolutionary ideals of equality and solidarity. This mirrors Lord Acton’s assertion that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Dalberg-Acton, 1887), as Mollie’s pursuit of personal power over her own circumstances leads her to abandon the collective good. Her actions highlight a less obvious but equally damaging form of corruption, where self-interest undermines communal goals. Indeed, Orwell arguably uses Mollie to critique those who, while not seeking to dominate others, still contribute to systemic failure through their passivity or selfishness. Her departure early in the narrative serves as a warning of how personal temptations can erode revolutionary zeal, setting the stage for greater abuses of power by others.
Napoleon the Pig: The Tyranny of Absolute Control
In stark contrast to Mollie’s quiet defection, Napoleon represents the overt corruption that accompanies the consolidation of absolute power. Initially portrayed as a leader with strategic acumen, Napoleon gradually transforms into a ruthless dictator, embodying Lord Acton’s warning that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Dalberg-Acton, 1887). Through manipulation, violence, and propaganda, Napoleon usurps control from Snowball and establishes a regime more oppressive than the human rule the animals originally overthrew (Orwell, 1945). His use of the dogs as a private militia and the exploitation of Boxer’s labour until the horse’s tragic end demonstrate how power, once centralised, breeds exploitation and cruelty. Furthermore, Napoleon’s revision of the Seven Commandments—most notably altering “All animals are equal” to include “but some animals are more equal than others”—reveals the hypocrisy at the heart of his rule (Orwell, 1945, p. 90). This blatant corruption underscores Orwell’s argument that power, when unchecked, inevitably distorts even the noblest intentions, turning liberators into oppressors. Napoleon’s trajectory thus serves as a chilling illustration of how systemic corruption emerges from the centralisation of authority, a theme resonant with historical examples of totalitarian regimes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, George Orwell’s Animal Farm poignantly illustrates the inevitable corruption that accompanies power, as encapsulated in Lord Acton’s maxim “absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Dalberg-Acton, 1887). Through Mollie, Orwell critiques the personal corruption born from self-interest, showing how individual desires can undermine collective ideals. Conversely, Napoleon’s transformation into a tyrant exemplifies the systemic corruption that arises from concentrated authority, revealing the fragility of revolutionary principles. Together, these characters demonstrate that power, whether pursued for personal comfort or wielded for control, distorts morality and fosters exploitation. The broader implication of Orwell’s allegory is a cautionary one: without mechanisms to check authority, corruption remains an enduring threat to equality and justice. This message, rooted in the political critiques of Orwell’s time, continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of governance and power dynamics, urging vigilance against the seductive and destructive nature of unchecked influence.
References
- Dalberg-Acton, J. E. E. (1887) Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton. In *Historical Essays and Studies*. Macmillan.
- Orwell, G. (1945) *Animal Farm*. Secker & Warburg.
