In the book animal farm What are some reasons Napoleon didn't want the windmill with quotes

Answer 1

In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," Napoleon, the pig who becomes the farm's leader, initially opposes the construction of the windmill for several reasons, primarily driven by his desire for control and his suspicion of Snowball, who proponents the idea. Here are some points that illustrate Napoleon's initial resistance, along with corresponding quotes from the text:

1. Suspicion of Snowball: Napoleon opposes the windmill initially because it is associated with Snowball, whom he views as a rival. In the meeting where Snowball presents the windmill idea, Napoleon shows his opposition rather than support. He uses his trained dogs to chase Snowball away, thus eliminating his competition.

   While there isn’t a direct quote saying he doesn’t want the windmill specifically, his actions against Snowball highlight his desire to undermine any plans associated with him.

2. Focus on Food Production: Napoleon emphasizes the need for immediate agricultural success and food production over ambitious projects like the windmill, showcasing a more pragmatic approach. He argues that the animals should focus on producing enough food rather than investing time and resources into something that may not yield immediate results.

   “The animals were not certain what the word meant and Napoleon told them to forget it.” Although Napoleon never elaborates on why he doesn't want the windmill, the intent is clear: he is more interested in maintaining the status quo.

3. Desire for Control: Napoleon seeks to maintain control over the farm and its resources. He may perceive the windmill as a communal project that could empower the other animals and detract from his authority. By criticizing the windmill, he can assert dominance over the decision-making process on the farm.

   He later manipulates the narrative around the windmill after Snowball's exile, framing it as his own idea to consolidate power.

4. Utilitarian Concerns: Initially, Napoleon may view the windmill as impractical, believing that the efforts required to build it could lead to divided loyalties or initiatives among the animals. He chooses to focus on work that brings immediate benefit rather than on potentially risky undertakings.

If you would like to delve deeper into the text or require more context about Napoleon's evolving attitude towards the windmill, let me know!