Truth and Hypocrisy in Animal Farm and The Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers fc

Truth and Hypocrisy In Animal Farm and The Scarlet LetterLies ar often distorted into truth by those in power, who eventually become hypocrites as they continue to delude for selfish gain. In the process of this distortion, they will do everything possible to conceal and maintain their hunger for dominance and deference. This theme of truth ( or lack thereof ) and ultimate hypocrisy is skillfully shown through snooze in George Orwells Animal Farm, and Reverend Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. One of the most notable characteristics shared by Napoleon and Reverend Dimmesdale is their faculty to skillfully twist lies into the truth. In Animal Farm, Napoleon is relentless in his deception of the other animals. According to Graham Greene ( Bloom, 1996, 21), he is a consummate powermonger who dismiss skillfully undermine any idea that isnt his own. The first signs of his dishonesty are shown when he hoards the milk and apples, with a message to the others that It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. ( Orwell, 52 ) From there, the lies only increase in frequency and size. Its easy to compare this to the deceptive nature of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale of The Scarlet Letter. The young curate veils his sin from his Puritanical community by cultivating an image that is far from the real truth.( Johnson, 14) From the revelation of Hesters scarlet letter to that of his own, Dimmesdale conceals his shame by portraying himself as a miracle of holiness. ( Hawthorne, 139) Thus, both Napoleon and the minister share the negative attribute of fraudulence throughout their respective novels.Another notable comparison mingled with the two novels is that both Napoleon and Dimmesdale lie for ambition. This is distinctly observable in Animal Farm, where the pigs take the immediate initiative to establish themselves as the leaders. Napoleon is immediately placed as a head, being the only Berkshire boar on the farm that has a reput ation for getting his own way. ( Orwell, 35 ) From the moment the animals defeat Jones out of the farm, its obvious that Napoleon is shrewdly planning to fill the farmers position. He envisions plans that will benefit only himself, yet recognise him appear to be working for everyones advantage. ( Allen, 37 ) Thus, he will rise in the animals eyes as a caring and considerate leader. This is exemplified by his