Bourne 1

Jamie Bourne

Mr. King

Honors English 1

25 May 2017

Napoleons Narcissistic Personality

People who are self-absorbed, jealous, and lack empathy can seem like the biggest jerks

on the planet, but it may not be entirely their fault. Narcissistic personality disorder is a very rare,

but real, problem that brings out these qualities, and more, in some people. Narcissism is a

disorder in which a person has an inflated sense of self-importance (Staff). That definition would

explain the cockieness of those that posses narcissism, however it does not give the whole story.

Someone that is diagnosed with this disease may front like a very overconfident person when in

reality they are very fragile and self-conscious (Narcissistic). Narcissistic people also might try

to take advantage of others with an intent to only help or boost themselves (Narcissistic). In the

book Animal Farm Napoleon takes over the farm and proves to be a very harsh leader. He breaks

many of his own rules and shows a lack of concern for his fellow animals. The symptoms and

actions shown by Napoleon exploit the fact that he has narcissistic personality disorder, and must

be properly diagnosed.

Napoleon is a very jealous character and does whatever he has to do to feel like he is

above the others. In chapter 5 of Animal Farm, the tensions between Napoleon and Snowball

begin to show. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches,

but napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times(Moran). If

Snowball seemed to be the favorite, Napoleon would get mad and lash back, which he does. In

the same chapter Snowball was making plans to build a windmill but Napoleon did not want him
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to take the credit for it. He walked heavily around the shed, looked closely at every detail of the

plans and snuffed at them once or twice, then stood for a little while contemplating them out of

the corner of his eye; then suddenly lifted his leg, urinated over the plans, and walked out

without uttering a word(Moran). When someone has narcissistic personality disorder and they

feel threatened or jealous of another person they will often retaliate or counter attack them

(Narcissistic). This is exactly what Napoleon did to ruin Snowballs plans and try to remain

dominant. By committing these childish actions Napoleon illustrates the jealousy and fear he has

of Snowball, bringing out his narcissistic personality traits.

Napoleon also takes advantage of the other animals, lies, and becomes very hostile

towards others. In chapter two the Seven Commandments were established by the pigs as rules

for everyone to follow. They consist of not drinking alcohol, never killing a fellow animal,

accepting that all animals are equal, etc. Napoleon begins to break these rules and alter them

because he knows none of the animals can read fluently. In chapter seven Napoleon killed other

animals, And so the tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of

corpses lying before Napoleons feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had

been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones(Moran). Napoleon also drinks alcohol in

chapter 8, It was a few days later than this that the pigs came upon a case of whisky in the

cellars of the farmhouse(Moran). He also had the original law changed to say that animals

cannot drink to excess, which is taking advantage of the animals illiteracy. Taking advantage of

others for personal gain and acting so unempathetic are both signs of narcissism (Staff). It is

believed that parenting with excessive criticism could cause the child to develop narcissistic

personality disorder (Staff). The cruel and harsh treatment that Napoleon received from Jones,
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referenced in the first quote, would then explain the potential reason he developed the disease.

This now gives a cause to the many symptoms exhibited by Napoleon.

Some seem to think that Napoleon is not a narcissist, and that he is just doing what is best

for the farm. However, those that think that usually do not realize that Napoleon only thinks

about himself and treats other animals terribly for no reason. Napoleon runs Snowball out of the

farm in chapter 5 which some would say is good and will benefit the farm. They were

unnecessary, he said, and wasted time(Moran). This announcement makes it seem like the farm

would get more done without the meetings and have more time to spare. People would fail to see

how this actually will not be more efficient and actually takes power away from the others. In

future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee

of pigs, presided over by himself(Moran). This quote shows how Napoleon is giving himself

ultimate power and rule over all the animals. He is also making the pigs as a group better,

breaking the all animals are equal rule. Once again Napoleon is finding a way to get the

worship he feels he deserves.

The symptoms and actions shown by Napoleon exploit the fact that he has narcissistic

personality disorder. Napoleon shows time and time again the heartless animal he is. By publicly

executing several animals, lying, taking away democracy, and forcing the animals to work like

slaves he shows his true colors. Ultimately Napoleon only wants to be worshiped and really feels

like a great leader, showing his narcissistic traits (Narcissistic). Napoleons actions alone prove

the fact that he has narcissistic personality disorder. With that said, Napoleon may never be free

of his disease, so the other animals must work to free themselves from his oppressive rule.

Works Cited

Moran, Daniel, and George Orwell. Animal Farm. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
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2001. Print.

"Narcissistic Personality Disorder." Narcissism | Symptoms, Signs of Narcissistic

Personality Disorder. American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical

Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric

Association., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.

<http://www.psychone.net/disorders/narcissism-definition.php>

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Narcissistic Personality Disorder." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for

Medical Education and Research, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 25 May 2017.

<http://www.mayoclinic.org>