Every story has a hero, except this one.

 

Throughout the novel Animal Farm, George Orwell outlines several characters that represent historical figures. Napoleon, the primary antagonist and leader of the farm represents Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union. The character has an astonishing amount of depth; his personality is highly portrayed throughout the progression of the farm. Due to his dominant and aggressive disposition, Napoleon is able to manipulate the animals and create false "equality". With the help of his "slave" pigs and dogs he is able to force hard-working animals to do laborious work while he basks in wine, comforting housing, and other luxuries considered illegal by the Seven Commandments. This continuous manipulation of the inhabitants of the farm eventually leads to the farm's return to its original state.

 

Napoleon's character is significant to the novel, as his actions determine the outcome of the farm. From the loss of Snowball to the end of the novel, the farm appears to slowly detach from its original meaning, as the laws of the farm are constantly tweaked in favor of the pigs. This suggests that the author was trying to show how powerful the "government" of the farm truly is. Napoleon has the dictatorial power to do as he pleases. If an animal disobeys a law or does something to his displeasure, he has the power to immediately execute the poor creature. His beginning image portrays him similar to Snowball, but as the novel progresses his lust for power exposes his true dark side.

 

Thesis:

Over the course of George Orwell's "Animal Farm", the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Napoleon enabled him to rise through the ranks and become a tyrannical presence on the farm.