Napoleon emerges as the central antagonist in George Orwell's Animal Farm, embodying the corrupt and tyrannical leadership that transforms the farm's idealistic revolution into a harsh dictatorship.
The Character of Napoleon in Animal Farm develops from a relatively quiet pig into a ruthless dictator who systematically consolidates power through manipulation and force. As a representation of Joseph Stalin, Napoleon demonstrates how power corrupts through several key actions: expelling his rival Snowball, taking control of the farm's decision-making, and gradually eroding the original Seven Commandments. His character arc shows how he transforms from one of the revolution's leaders into its ultimate betrayer, as he begins walking on two legs, wearing human clothes, and eventually making deals with human farmers - all actions that were initially forbidden.
The Character Sketch of Napoleon in Animal Farm reveals his calculating nature through multiple significant traits. He uses propaganda and manipulation, delivered through his spokesperson Squealer, to control the other animals' perceptions. Napoleon's role in Animal Farm is cemented through his use of the nine fierce dogs he raised from puppies, representing his violent military force. Key examples of his corruption include changing the commandments to benefit himself, taking extra rations while other animals starve, and executing animals who confess to made-up crimes. Through these actions, Napoleon in Animal Farm represents the way totalitarian leaders maintain control through a combination of force, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth. His character serves as a warning about how revolutionary ideals can be corrupted by those seeking personal power, as he ultimately betrays every principle of Animalism to become indistinguishable from the human farmers the animals originally rebelled against.
