Classic Literature holds a mirror up to society and reveals essential truths about us. This is evident in Animal Farm and The Hobbit as they examine the concept of intellect and manipulation, and explore the theme of how, through the means of political knowledge one can make allegations and promises, as knowledge is equivalent to power. This enables one to manipulate ‘society’ irrespective of the truth. In these texts Tolkien and Orwell also demonstrate the destructive impact of tyranny and detail the weaknesses of human nature that lead to its rise across history again and again. The final theme to be explored common to both texts is the manner in which, as John Dahlberg Acton stated, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. These three themes…show more content… Intellectual manipulation is evident through the actions of Napoleon and Squealer. Reflecting the incidents around the Communist revolution in Russia is also seen in today when leaders often manipulate and deceive their citizens in all major forms of governments. Such as George Bush’s actions whilst in Presidency, however it still appears to be a prevalent feature of Communism even today. In Animal Farm after the exile of Snowball, ‘the pigs’ ‘intelligence and education turn from tools of enlightenment to implements of oppression’- Author George Frandken. Through the use of propaganda and revisionism, Squealer is capable of altering the perspective of the animals, “You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually…show more content… This is also relevant in today’s world where leaders such as Kim Jong un of North Korea adopt an almost god-like status in order to maintain their unquestioned control over their country and its people. In Animal Farm the pigs assume leadership of the rebellion, instituted by Old Major, however by virtue of this invested power they soon engage in corrupt behaviours. Napoleon and other pigs soon assume luxuries and privileges for themselves, adopting human like traits and the lifestyle of their original oppressors. “Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. Already it was impossible to say which was which.” The Hobbit also examines this concept. "It was a globe with a thousand facets; it shone like silver in the firelight, like water in the sun, like snow under the stars, like rain upon the Moon!” Thorins adoration for wealth and power has clearly corrupted him, and manipulated his own mind, this relates to the modern day society, therefore reveling essential truths about