Foreshadowed Abuse of Power in Animal Farm by George Orwell

The abuse of power is foreshadowed several times in Animal Farm. First of all, you've got Napoleon. The name in itself is foreshadowing. Napoleon, the man, was an ignoramus who wanted nothing more than power. He didn't really care about the people he stepped all over to get it, so long as he got it. Napoleon, the pig, is eventually brandished as having a personality all too similar to that of the man. Then there's …

…and the most productive worker on the farm, Napoleon feels threatened by him. He sees how powerful Boxer is, and that he could easily kill his most powerful weaponry. So, he sends Boxer to a glue-factory (a.k.a. "the hospital"), thinking foolishly that none of the animals would notice that the truck that carried Boxer away was labeled, "Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and Bone Meal. Kennels Supplied."