Why Did Napoleon Blame Snowball In Animal Farm Reasons Analysis

In George Orwell’s seminal allegorical novella *Animal Farm*, the scapegoating of Snowball by Napoleon is not merely a plot device—it is a calculated strategy that reflects real-world mechanisms of authoritarian control. As the pigs consolidate power on the farm, Napoleon systematically shifts blame for every failure, setback, and hardship onto Snowball, a former leader who has been expelled from the community. This tactic serves multiple purposes: it deflects criticism, strengthens Napoleon’s authority, and manipulates the collective memory of the animals. Understanding why Napoleon blames Snowball requires examining the dynamics of propaganda, fear, and ideological control in totalitarian regimes.

The Role of Scapegoating in Maintaining Power

Scapegoating is a psychological and political tool used to divert attention from systemic failures by attributing them to a single individual or group. In *Animal Farm*, Snowball becomes the perfect scapegoat because he is absent, cannot defend himself, and once held influence—making him both threatening and expendable in Napoleon’s eyes.

After Snowball is driven off the farm by Napoleon’s dogs, he is declared a traitor. From that point forward, any problem—whether it’s the collapse of the windmill, food shortages, or rule violations—is attributed to Snowball’s supposed sabotage. This allows Napoleon to avoid accountability while reinforcing the idea that external enemies are constantly working against the farm’s success.

“Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball.” — George Orwell, *Animal Farm*

The repeated accusations condition the animals to associate chaos with Snowball’s invisible presence, making them more dependent on Napoleon’s “protection.” This mirrors historical precedents where dictators have vilified exiled rivals—such as Leon Trotsky in Stalinist Russia, upon whom Snowball is largely based.

Propaganda and the Manipulation of Truth

Napoleon does not act alone in discrediting Snowball. He relies heavily on Squealer, the pig who serves as the regime’s propagandist. Squealer rewrites history, distorts facts, and uses emotional appeals to convince the animals that Snowball was never a hero and had always conspired against Animal Farm.

For example, Squealer claims that Snowball never received the “Animal Hero, First Class” award, despite earlier evidence to the contrary. He also asserts that Snowball had secretly colluded with Mr. Jones during the Battle of the Cowshed—a complete reversal of the established narrative. Through such revisions, truth becomes malleable, and the animals’ memories are gradually overwritten.

Tip: When analyzing political narratives, question who benefits from a particular version of events—this often reveals the motive behind misinformation.

Psychological Control Through Fear and Paranoia

Fear is one of the most effective tools of control. By portraying Snowball as a lurking saboteur, Napoleon instills a constant sense of danger among the animals. This state of paranoia discourages dissent, as any opposition could be interpreted as sympathy for Snowball—or worse, collaboration.

The confessions and executions that follow are direct results of this manufactured fear. Animals confess to crimes they did not commit, pressured by the atmosphere of suspicion. The message is clear: loyalty to Napoleon is non-negotiable, and deviation—even in thought—is treason.

This tactic echoes the Moscow Purge Trials under Joseph Stalin, where perceived enemies were accused of espionage and sabotage, often based on fabricated evidence. Orwell, a staunch critic of totalitarianism, uses Snowball’s demonization to illustrate how regimes manufacture internal threats to justify repression.

A Comparative Analysis: Napoleon vs. Historical Dictators

Aspect	Napoleon (Animal Farm)	Joseph Stalin (USSR)
Political Rival	Snowball	Leon Trotsky
Rival’s Fate	Exiled and demonized	Exiled and assassinated
Propaganda Tool	Squealer	Soviet Press (Pravda)
Method of Control	Blame, fear, rewriting history	Purges, censorship, cult of personality
Public Narrative	Snowball was always a traitor	Trotsky betrayed the revolution

This comparison underscores how Orwell’s fiction is deeply rooted in historical reality. Just as Stalin erased Trotsky from photographs and official records, Napoleon erases Snowball from the farm’s collective memory, ensuring that his own rise to power appears inevitable and justified.

Step-by-Step: How Napoleon Built the Case Against Snowball

1. Expulsion: Napoleon uses force (his dogs) to remove Snowball from the farm, eliminating direct competition.
2. Reframing the Past: Squealer begins revising historical events, claiming Snowball contributed little to the revolution.
3. Attributing Failures: Every setback—especially the windmill’s destruction—is blamed on Snowball’s sabotage.
4. Creating Evidence: False trails (pig tracks near the farm at night) are presented as proof of Snowball’s infiltration.
5. Instilling Fear: Public trials and executions reinforce the danger Snowball supposedly poses.
6. Establishing Loyalty Tests: Animals are forced to denounce Snowball, proving their allegiance to Napoleon.

This sequence demonstrates a textbook authoritarian playbook: eliminate rivals, control information, manufacture crises, and demand ideological conformity.

Mini Case Study: The Windmill Debacle

The construction and destruction of the windmill serve as a pivotal moment in Napoleon’s campaign against Snowball. Initially, Snowball proposed the windmill as a means to improve life on the farm through electricity and labor-saving devices. After Snowball’s expulsion, Napoleon adopts the idea but claims it was his all along.

When the first windmill collapses during a storm, instead of admitting structural flaws or poor planning, Napoleon declares that Snowball sabotaged it in the night. The animals, already conditioned to fear Snowball, accept this explanation. Even Boxer, the loyal horse, repeats the slogan: “Napoleon is always right.”

This incident illustrates how a single event can be weaponized to reinforce a false narrative. Rather than learning from failure, the animals are led to believe that vigilance against enemies is more important than critical thinking.

Expert Insight: Orwell on Totalitarian Manipulation

“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” — George Orwell, *1984*

Though this quote comes from *1984*, it perfectly encapsulates the mechanism at work in *Animal Farm*. Napoleon’s ability to rewrite Snowball’s legacy gives him absolute control over the farm’s ideology. By controlling what the animals remember, he shapes what they believe is possible—and what they fear.

FAQ

Did Snowball actually sabotage the windmill?

No. There is no evidence that Snowball returned to the farm or caused any damage. The windmill collapsed due to structural weaknesses, not sabotage. The blame is entirely fabricated by Napoleon to maintain control.

Why didn’t the animals realize they were being manipulated?

The animals lack education, access to information, and critical thinking tools. They are illiterate, easily swayed by rhetoric, and afraid of punishment. Squealer’s persuasive speeches and Napoleon’s use of fear suppress doubt and encourage blind loyalty.

Was Snowball a good leader?

Snowball was idealistic, intelligent, and committed to improving conditions for all animals. However, he underestimated Napoleon’s ruthlessness. While not without flaws, Snowball represented democratic values and innovation—qualities that threaten authoritarian rule.

Checklist: Identifying Scapegoating in Politics and Media

• Is a single person or group blamed for complex problems?
• Are facts being revised or denied despite evidence?
• Is fear being used to justify increased control?
• Are dissenters labeled as allies of the scapegoat?
• Is the narrative consistent with the interests of those in power?

Use this checklist to critically assess political discourse, both in literature and in real-world contexts.

Conclusion

Napoleon’s relentless blaming of Snowball in *Animal Farm* is far more than a simple lie—it is a systematic dismantling of truth, memory, and autonomy. Orwell uses this dynamic to expose how authoritarian leaders consolidate power: not through strength or competence, but through deception, fear, and the eradication of dissent. Recognizing these patterns is essential for safeguarding democratic values and resisting manipulation.

💬 What modern examples of scapegoating do you see in politics or media? Reflect on current events and consider how Orwell’s warnings remain urgently relevant. Share your thoughts and keep the conversation alive.