What are Napoleon's positive and negative traits in Animal Farm?

Although Napoleon is a tyrannical, violent, and oppressive leader throughout the novella Animal Farm, he does possess some positive character traits. Napoleon is a determined, ambitious, competitive pig. After Mr. Jones is expelled from the farm, Napoleon begins to plot how he is going to usurp power. Napoleon stops at nothing to become the supreme leader of Animal Farm and is willing to lie, kill, and intimidate the other animals in order to secure his position as leader. Napoleon is also intelligent and deflects attention towards Snowball whenever disaster strikes. He appoints Squealer to propagate lies and is able to gain the trust of some animals. Despite Napoleon's positive character traits, he is a selfish egomaniac. Napoleon physically and psychologically abuses the animals on the farm. He is not concerned with the well-being of the animals and they live in terrible conditions throughout his reign. 

I would say that one immediate positive of Napoleon is that he is not afraid of seizing power.  At a time when the other animals are gripped by a sense of what to do in a post- Jones farm setting, Napoleon understands clearly the implications of maximizing the moment and ensuring that he is able to put his stamp on it.  While others such as Snowball are more concerned with the theoretical implications of ruling and power, Napoleon is much more practical in seeing the need to act in a decisive and intense manner.  This can be seen as a positive.  Certainly, the most negative element of his character is how he becomes chained to the idea of power.  He simply falls in love with power and refuses to acquiesce any of it to anyone else.  This helps to bring out a lust for power that results in the repression and killing of those who voice dissent.  This has to be seen as a negative.  Additionally, his desire for power is one where he no longer really even tries to discuss the elements of animalism.  Rather, he becomes a new form of "Jones" in how he manages the farm and suppresses the animals.  Here would be another negative element.

There were animals on the farm who truly relished the opportunity to live a life of freedom from man's oppression and were quite prepared to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of all concerned. One such animal was Snowball, who displayed a number of positive character traits in his approach.

After the Rebellion, it was he who encouraged the animals to spring to work, as indicated by the following extract from chapter 2:

"Comrades," said Snowball, "it is half-past six and we have a long day before us. Today we begin the hay harvest. But there is another matter that must be attended to first."

He played this role until his expulsion. He was always hard at work motivating the animals and played a central role in organizing the farm. He, for example, created a number of committees and was tireless at organizing them, as we read in chapter 3:

Snowball also busied himself with organising the other animals into what he called Animal Committees. He was indefatigable at this. He formed the Egg Production Committee for the hens, the Clean Tails League for the cows, the Wild Comrades' Re-education Committee (the object of this was to tame the rats and rabbits), the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep, and various others, besides instituting classes in reading and writing.

Clearly, Snowball was unselfish and had everyone's best interests at heart. However, a negative characteristic was that he, much like the other pigs, accepted that they were entitled to certain privileges from which the other animals were excluded, such as their claim to the milk and windfall apples. This suggests an air of superiority and goes against the principles of Animalism which expounds equality and fairness. This supercilious claim to certain benefits is mentioned in chapter 3 when some of the animals complained about the unfair distribution:

At this some of the other animals murmured, but it was no use. All the pigs were in full agreement on this point, even Snowball and Napoleon.

Boxer, too, exhibited hard work and dedication. He was committed to giving his all for the farm, as we read, also in chapter 3:

Boxer was the admiration of everybody. He had been a hard worker even in Jones's time, but now he seemed more like three horses than one; there were days when the entire work of the farm seemed to rest on his mighty shoulders. From morning to night he was pushing and pulling, always at the spot where the work was hardest.

Sadly, though, one of Boxer's negative characteristics was that he became too slavish and seldom questioned Napoleon's motives. Being the strongest animal on the farm, and the fact that he had the admiration and respect of the majority of the others, meant that he could have easily taken charge and opposed Napoleon's later dictatorial rule. His simple-mindedness prevented him from so doing and he, instead, adopted the maxim, 'Napoleon is always right,' leading to continued abuse and, ironically, his death, at the hands of the selfish, uncaring and greedy pigs when they sold him to the knacker.

Benjamin, the donkey, had the intelligence and ability to oppose the pigs and defend the other animals since he was just as intelligent as them - a positive trait, also mentioned in chapter 3:

Benjamin could read as well as any pig, but never exercised his faculty. So far as he knew, he said, there was nothing worth reading. 

The extract suggests that Benjamin adopted an apathetic attitude. This negative trait suited him perfectly, but if he had applied himself better, he could have introduced changes that would have benefited everyone. He could have challenged the pigs when they changed the commandments. His careless attitude displays some selfishness on his part and he, as mentioned in the following extract from chapter 3, remained much the same throughout:

Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time, never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey," and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer.

One could cynically suggest that Benjamin was too clever for his own good and maybe for the other animals too. 

One could also refer to Napoleon and Squealer in this essay. The former had a commanding and controlling nature, which resulted in his leadership of the farm. He was blessed with a natural ability to take control, a positive characteristic, but unfortunately, he was overwhelmed by a selfish desire for power and authority which lead to him abusing the animals for his and his cronies' benefit. In the end, his tyranny was even worse than that of Jones and his men. 

Squealer had the 'gift of the gab.' He was a persuasive and vivacious pig, able to convince others easily - truly a positive trait. It is sad that he did not put this talent to better use. He, instead, chose to manipulate the other animals and propagate Napoleon's abuse. Since he was such a brilliant orator, it was easy for him to spread lies and deceive the animals into believing whatever he told them, to ensure their acquiescence and silence. His greed and loyalty to Napoleon became a paramount factor in the abuse of all the other animals.

The characters in Animal Farm exhibit a variety of positive and negative character traits. Boxer, for instance, is an incredibly hard worker; in fact, his personal motto is: "I will work harder." He selflessly sacrifices his time and health to further the cause of the Revolution. Moreover, Boxer is loyal to the Revolution.

However, Boxer also exhibits a negative character trait: he unquestioningly accepts the propaganda of Napoleon and his henchmen. Boxer believes his intellect is inferior to that of the pigs, so he accepts anything they tell him--even when what they are telling him openly contradicts the principles of the Revolution.

This leads to some more negative character traits: the selfishness and manipulativeness of the pigs. The pigs lust for power, money, and comfort, and they attain these things on the backs of the working animals. They use manipulation and fear tactics to ensure the other animals continue to submit to their will.

In Animal Farm, who would make a better leader, Snowball or Napoleon?

Napoleon and Snowball do not make effective co-leaders.  Snowball has greater leadership skills, but Napoleon is more ruthless.

As co-leaders, Snowball and Napoleon are at a stalemate.  They do not get along, and when each contradicts the other it is hard to get things done.  This results in division of the farm into factions, which is not healthy.

The animals formed themselves into two factions under the slogan, `Vote for Snowball and the three-day week' and `Vote for Napoleon and the full manger.' (ch 5)

As a leader, Snowball has good ideas and seems to really care about being democratic.  He wants the animals to self-govern, and has them arrange themselves into committees.  None of the projects were successful though.  This allowed Napoleon to inch in.

Napoleon was a better leader than Snowball in the sense that he surrounded himself with advisors, delegated work, and consolidated his power.  Almost from the beginning he took the puppies and trained them to be his security force.  He used Squealer as his spokesman.  He also began a campaign of misinformation about Snowball and eventually forced him out.

Napoleon was not a good leader because he was selfish.  However, he was a more successful leader than Snowball because Snowball was incompetent.  

What are Snowball's positive and negative traits in Animal Farm?

Snowball is very intelligent, but he is an idealist.  He is unpopular, and does not seem strong enough to stand up to Napoleon.

Snowball is described as being clever and energetic, but he does not have a good reputation.   More than likely, other animals are intimidated by his intelligence.

Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive, but was not considered to have the same depth of character. (ch 1)

Snowball truly believes in Old Major’s vision.  He is committed to coming up with ideas to make it work.  From the beginning, he vies for control with Napoleon.  In the beginning, everything is described as Snowball and Napoleon together, and it is clear (to the reader) that Snowball is the brains of the operation and Napoleon is benefitting.

Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted on to oppose it. (ch 2)

Snowball is intelligent.  He is the one who first reads and writes the best, makes battle plans from reading a book of Julius Caesar’s campaigns, and makes the plans for the windmill.  Napoleon eventually decides he wants to take Snowball’s plans and get him out of the way, but Snowball does not see it coming.  Napoleon has stronger supporters than Snowball.  Ultimately, it is Snowball’s idealism and lack of popularity that leads him to be driven off.

Summarize the different leadership approaches of Napoleon and Snowball in Animal Farm.

In George Orwell's fable, Animal Farm, Snowball is much more of a socialist than is the dictatorial Napoleon. 

Snowball

• He reduces the Seven Commandments for those who cannot read to "Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad."
• Snowball leads the animals against invaders at the Battle of the Cowshed
• He designs windmills that will reduce labor for the animals by producing electricity.  Snowball is open about showing his designs and explaining how the windmills will work.
• Snowball suggests that the creation of the windmill be put to a vote. And, his speech in its support is eloquent
• Regarding the defence of the farm, Snowball argues that more pigeons must be sent to create more rebellions; with enough rebellions there would be no need for defense.

Napoleon

• Napoleon hires a propaganda man, Squealer who changes what was said or the Commandments. 
• When Snowball wants the windmill, he argues that the great need of the moment is to increase food production and that time spent on the windmill would waste time and lead to starvation
• Napoleon argues against Snowball's idea of creating more animal farms.  Instead, he advocates more weapons of defense.
• His main goal is the consolidation of power. When Snowball calls for a vote on the windmill.  Napoleon calls in his dogs who terrorize Snowball, running him off the farm.
• Later, after Snowball has been run off, Napoleon orders the construction of a windmill; Squealer convinces the animals that the idea was Napoleon's from the beginning.
• Napoleon has all the plan meetings canceled. 
• Gradually, with Napoleon the Seven Commandments are altered, such as the time Napoleon trades with a neighboring farm. Yet, Squealer convinces most of the animals that they were always what they are now
• Rather than reducing the animals' workload, it is increased under Napoleon's rule.
• Napoleon and the other pigs do not live as the other animals. He and his cronies have moved into the big house. And, Napoleon sleeps in the beds, so he has the commandment changed to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets."
• When the windmill falls down, Napoleon blames this on Snowball and dictatorially pronounces a death-sentence upon him.
• Napoleon begins a period of "purging,"  executing those suspected of activities counter to his desires.
• Napoleon and other pigs begin to drink
• The animals work harder and receive less than they did under the leadership of Snowball.
• Napoleon has yet another commandment altered.  This time it is one about drink.
• He terrorizes all the animals but the pigs.  Boxer, having become ill, is shipped to a glue factory.
• The simple maxim of "Four Legs Good, Two Bad," has been turned around to "Four Legs Bad, Two Legs are Better."
• Napoleon and his friends enjoy the luxuries. They drink, sleep in the beds, and party with humans.
• The Seven Commandments have been replaced by one,

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

• Napoleon calls for a meeting with the human farmers, and the workers can barely see any difference between the pigs and the fat people.

What leadership qualities and quotes can be identified from Animal Farm?

If the topic of the persuasive writing piece is about the nature of leadership in the novel, look no further than the first chapter.  Old Major is really quite inspiring with his passion, focus, and zeal regarding how the animals are both oppressed and how change is needed.  I think that this is one great example of leadership in that it shows how leaders identify a particular challenge and then motivate others to buy into their vision in solving the particular problem.  Old Major is most persuasive because he shows the animals what is and then leads them to a vision of what can be.

Snowball is a really good example of a leader, as well.  Pay attention to how he talks to Mollie about the ribbons and sugar that are not going to be needed after the revolution.  Snowball was able to interact with all of the animals and talk to them about the revolution.  This is representative of how leaders cannot lose sight of the people that they must guide.  Snowball does not separate himself from those he is meant to lead.  He guides them, constantly working with them and interacting with them.  In doing so, Snowball demonstrates how leaders must be in touch with people and not isolate themselves. 

Napoleon is such a prominent example of leadership, I think that he doesn't even need mentioning.  Certainly, if one is looking at how leadership is strength, Napoleon embodies this with so much of what he does. Yet, I would like to say that Clover is an excellent leader, a matronly figure on the farm to whom other animals for guidance and support.  She is constantly concered with the other animals' well being.  From the first chapter, she is driven by others' needs, looking out for the smaller animals who listen to Old Major's speech.  Looking out for Boxer when he is both well and when he is sick, and constantly interacting with the other animals about the current state of affairs on the farm.  She is not one who leads a revolution or counter- revolution, but she shows compassion, which is a quality of good leadership.  Leaders cannot expect to go far unless they identify with others and Clover does this.

Compare the leaders of Animal Farm, Snowball and Napoleon. What are their key differences?

In Animal Farm, Snowball and Napoleon are very different types of leaders. Snowball is intellectual, methodical, honest, and democratic, while Napoleon is emotional, impulsive, deceptive, and autocratic.

After the animals succeed in taking over the farm from the humans, these two pigs initially work together with other animals to setup a basic governance system. Snowball encourages them to take a long-term perspective and think about running the farm in a way that both promotes self-sufficiency and encourages the others to think about their contributions and the benefits that all will derive.

In contrast, Napoleon craves power for himself and surrounds himself with animals that he can manipulate or, like Squealer, that will help him consolidate his rule. He does away with organized efforts at garnering others’ input. At first he criticizes Snowball’s plans, although he has not come up with a better alternative, and after pushing Snowball aside, he claims credit for his ideas. Napoleon is more interested in dominating the other animals than in their collective well-being.

The following selection reveals Snowball’s intellect and concern for the others’ well-being:

The animals … listened in astonishment while Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines which would do their work for them while they grazed at their ease ...

Another passage shows Napoleon’s autocratic stance concerning abolishing the “unnecessary” meetings:

In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by himself. These would meet in private ...