Notes

How are all the animals responsible for maintaining tyranny and dictatorship?

In the novella animal farm Napoleon becomes a dictator and makes the farm a totalitariat state and rules through fear. Although Napoleon is the one who becomes a dictator and takes advantage of the other animals, all the animals have a part in allowing Napoleon to reach this point of completely control.

Boxer is arguably the most responsible for allowing Napoleon to reach this point. Boxer is a very significant character in George Orwell's novella because of his brute strength and being as strong 'as any two horses put together', however he is 'not of first-rate intelligence', for example not being able to learn past the first four letters of the alphabet. His lack of intellect means that he is unable to realise what Napoleon is doing to the animals and the farm, like many other animals, and along with his strength he allows Napoleon to move forward with his plans. His two motos: 'I will work harder' and 'Napoleon is always right' demonstrate that he is willing to do anything in order to reach the goals set by Napoleon - much like the working class in Russian doing anything to reach the goals of the government for very little reward. Boxer works day and night on the windmill until it is complete for Napoleon, it can be argued that he does this because of the ideas put into his head by squealer and Napoleon, but this is an example of his lack of intellect as smarter animals like Benjamin are able to see what the pigs are doing. It is also said in the novella that Boxer inspires the other animals to work harder also, this makes him even more of a useful tool to the pigs as he also keeps the other animals in line, unintentially. For example after the executions of some of the animals and the dogs also attempted to murder Boxer, he continues to 'work harder', which motivates the other animals to also go about their usual routines.

Benjamin is can also be argued as responsible for the rise to power of Napoleon and the pigs. From the start of the rebellion Benjamin claims to have 'seen it all before' which hints that he knows what the pigs have planned to do or are going to do. However, although having claimed this he never warns the other animals or attempts to stop it from happening. His lack of action is the reason for being somewhat responsible for Napoleon's rise to becoming a dictator. His only attempt of stopping Napoleon's plans is when Boxer is being sent to the knackers, this is explained at the beginning of the novella when we are told that Benjamin is a 'secret admirer' of Boxer and that they spend lots of time together when not working. This could seen as selfishness as he is only warning the other animals when someone he cares for is in trouble rather than when the pigs first started ruling through tyranny or before the rebellion. Therefore Benjamin can be seen as responsible for maintaining tyranny and dictatorship through his selfishness and lack of action.

Other animals can also be seen as responsible because of their lack of action. Although ultimately most of the animal's stupidity allows Napoleon and the pigs to do as they please, there are moments when some of the animals question the pigs' actions, yet don't take action or rebel against them. There is the moment when the hens rebel and refuse to give the pigs their eggs, however because of their lack of support from the other animals they are not strong enough and eventually are forced to give up. In other moments, like the executions or when Boxer is sent away, the animals also have a lack of action and still don't rebel even though they are having doubts about Napoleon's dictatorship.