Nineteen Eighty-Four/Animal Farm Comparison Essay: Books written by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four/Animal Farm Comparison EssayIn both Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm, by George Orwell, we see the story of how a society is formed for the betterment of all, but is soon turned to evil. In the two tales, both governments in the two tales were originally created to improve the common worker’s lives, but are soon waylaid by the prospect of unlimited power that is associated with a dictatorship role. We can see, through different examples, how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The few take control, seeing themselves as fit to lead the many, but become tempted by the vast control that they are able to achieve . There are three stages to this corruption, each with their own unique events that play out. We can see how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, meaning even those with the best intentions can fall away from their original goals.

In the beginning of the novels, we see how the governments came into power, replacing the old regime that had run its course. In Animal Farm, the animals rebel against Jones because they are fed up with how terribly he treats them and he takes everything they produce away from them to be sold for personal profit. The animals throw off the chains of oppression, pledging to create a better society where all animals are equal and everyone would be able to live in harmony with each other. The animals worked harder than ever before and are soon able to set up a society that would benefit everyone: “...everyone worked according to his capacity....Nobody stole, nobody grumbled over his rations, the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. Nobody shirked” (Animal Farm 18). Two animals emerge...