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Snowball is the antithesis of Napoleon. Discuss.

Sketch the character of Snowball in the reference of ‘Animal Farm’.

Compare and contrast the characters of Snowball and Napoleon.

Snowball is an efficient organiser and an effective leader. He believes in arguments as a method of convincing his fellows. Even the silliest questions that are asked by animals, are answered by him. Napoleon is an organiser but he is an arbitrary leader who exploits the animals. On the other hand, Snowball is a true disciple of Old Major. After his death, he elaborates his teachings and foramulates his thoughts into a system that is known as ‘Animalism’, to other animals. He asks them to sing the song ‘Animals of England’. During revolution, he plays an important role and after revolution, he leaps with joy and asks the animals to move about naked. He asks every animal to work hard. He does not forget preaching of Old Major, who laid great emphasis on political awareness among animals. He makes a concrete contribution to the formulation of seven commandments which are the outcome of the philosophy of ‘Animalism’.

In order to create this awareness, he spends a good deal of time organizing animal committees. He establishes Egg Production Committee’ for hens, ‘Clean Tail League’ for cows and Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep. He plans to literate every animal till November. He thinks not only about the animals of Animal Farm but also about the welfare of the animals of other farms. He makes the plan for awakening the animals of the farm of Frederick and Pilkington. He presents the plan of windmill before the animals. In the erection of windmill he has no personal interest. He finds that windmill will bring property to the farm and will bring no harm to the principles of Animalism. He is opposed by Napoleon and finally leaves the farm for unknown place.

Like deserving leader, Snowball a possesses all the characteristics of an ideal leader. He spends a lot of time on animals. He seldom thinks about his personal life this is why he has no ambition to overpower the animals. When he finds that Napoleon does not agree with him regarding the windmill project, he does not give up his democratic ways. Like Napoleon, he might have become undemocratic. He is very enthusiastic about his project and works very hard for it. He works hard and thinks a lot for the welfare of the animals. He convinces animals the week for work will only be of three of days if the project of windmill succeeds. The animals are impressed by him. When he is attacked by the dogs of Napoleon, he disappears.

After his exile, Napoleon declares the same project of windmill. This declaration proves that Snowball is a creative leader.

Unlike Napoleon, he is a great warrier. He never evades any battle. He studies Julius Caesar’s tactics of defence. In the “Battle of Cowshed”, his role is very attractive and impressive. He makes an attack on Jones. He succeeds in driving away Jones and his men. In this battle, he is slightly injured. To him, war is an art and this art intelligence is as important as physical power. He prepares the group to fight the forces of Jones. He gives system to the animals to fight. He is very bold regarding the laws of battle. Due to his remarkable contribution, he is awarded the military honour ‘Animal Hero First Class’.

Like Napoleon, Snowball also has power of leadership. He is very sharp to his speech. He is argumentative in his speech. He holds the capacity to resolve any conflict. His arguments are based on the principles of Old Major. In the sharpness of his speech, he is able to convince the animals regarding the philosophy of Animalism. But he does not misuse his skill of a good speaker. Instead of it, he informs the animals the importance of skill in democracy.

This is why, he asks them to read and write. He does not try to escape himself from the stupid questions of animals. In order to clarify his plan, he make a drawing of windmill. He assures them, if the plan of windmill will succeed, it will reduce the work of week in three days. When Napoleon opposes him, he does not hesitate to decide the issue by vote of majority.

Summing up, it may be said that Snowball is a remarkable and an impressive character of the novel. As a true disciple of Old Major, he elaborates his thoughts. He is an adept at organizing the revolutionary state. He proves to be all those qualities that belong to an ideal leader. He proves to be a great warrier. If he had been in farm at the time of the attack of Frederick, windmill would have been saved from destruction. But he becomes a victim at the hands of Napoleon who nourishes an ill will to over power the animals. In fact, he is the antithesis of Napoleon.