In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," Napoleon initially opposes the windmill proposal made by Snowball for several reasons. Here are some explanations and quotes that reflect his hesitations and ultimate opposition to the windmill:
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Distrusting the Idea: Napoleon is initially skeptical about the practicality and benefits of the windmill. He doesn't believe that the animals can successfully construct and maintain it. One notable quote capturing this skepticism is, "Comrades, do you not suppose that intelligence is the most important factor here?"
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Desire for Control: Napoleon is more focused on consolidating his power than on the collective efforts of the animals. He uses fear and propaganda to gain control over the decisions made on the farm. He dismisses Snowball's plans to assert his dominance. This is seen when he says, "All dissimilarities, the whole basis of any social life, must be eradicated."
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Manipulation of Information: After banishing Snowball, Napoleon utilizes the windmill idea to manipulate the animals, claiming it was his own. He changes his stance once he sees how much support Snowball’s idea has among the animals. A quote from later on in the narrative reveals this manipulation: "Napoleon had taken them at their word."
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Avoidance of Collective Responsibility: Napoleon does not want the responsibility that comes with the windmill project. He prefers keeping the animals uninformed and working hard, ensuring they rely on him. This is evident when he states, “It has become more useful than I ever expected it to be.”
While Napoleon initially positions himself against the windmill, his eventual acceptance of it demonstrates his opportunism and desire to control the narrative and labor on the farm. Through these actions and quotes, it becomes clear that his motivations are more about sustaining his power than genuinely contributing to the welfare of the farm.
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