Abuse Of Power In Animal Farm

Language and words can be powerful yet dangerous tools leaders can use to manipulate and gaslight their followers, especially those who are uneducated. We have seen this type of influence leaders are able to easily use as a means of controlling their followers in many scenarios throughout history and even on smaller scales today. For instance, people in powerful positions can twist language or even tell flat-out lies to followers who are ignorant and less intelligent, whether they officially declare something or spread language through media online. As oblivious followers, they wouldn’t know any better than to obey their leader and be in accordance with everything they say, even if it is untruthful. George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” expertly

“Animal Farm” includes not only corrupt leaders but also a vast majority of oblivious followers. An epitome (prime example?) of a blind follower is Boxer, a beloved horse on the farm. To preface, Boxer was not the most astute animal on the farm as he “could not get beyond the letter D”, and could only remember 4 letters at a time. (33) With this, he was much more susceptible to falling for lies and believing everything the pigs said. Since he was such a passionate supporter of their leader, Napoleon, Boxer followed with unwavering optimism and trust. He would rarely question authority; if and if ever he did, he would easily be persuaded or gaslighted by one of the pigs. Furthermore, since he was so greatly admired by the other animals on the farm, he was often seen as an example, and whatever he did, others would strive to emulate. In a way, he was a kind of sub-leader with his own group of followers who took his exemplar to heart, just as he had done with Napoleon. As Orwell explains, Boxer and Clover “absorbed everything they were told, and passed it onto the other animals by simple arguments.” (18) Blind followers themselves are perilous, especially when they are role models and mentors for

People who unapologetically talk and spread words can be a threat to the stability of the government and society because they could be spreading misinformation. The sheep in this novel represent this unique classification of people who embody these outspoken characters. The sheep in this story were described as “stupid animals” (33), therefore, all they could memorize since they couldn’t read was the slogan “four legs good, two legs bad.” (34) During important conversations and debates, the sheep would often break into a chant of the phrase and drown out all other sounds because of how loud and long they were chanting. (48) Groups and large numbers of individuals like these pose a major threat to the function of society and how the populace affects the leaders and vice