Animal Farm: Analysis of Major Characters
"Animal Farm: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the key figures within George Orwell's allegorical novella, which critiques totalitarianism and reflects historical events surrounding the Russian Revolution. The characters are personifications of notable historical leaders and social classes, each contributing to the narrative's deeper meaning. Mr. Jones, the negligent farmer, symbolizes the ineffectiveness of the Russian czar during tumultuous times. Old Major, a wise boar, represents the ideological foundation of the revolution, akin to Lenin, whose vision inspires the animals to seek freedom.
Snowball and Napoleon personify the power struggle within the revolutionary context, with Snowball embodying intelligence and innovation, paralleling Leon Trotsky, while Napoleon reflects the ruthless ambition of Joseph Stalin. Other characters like Squealer, the adept propagandist, manipulate truth to maintain control, illustrating the use of misinformation in governance. Boxer and Clover, embodying the hardworking but naïve working class, highlight the exploitation and betrayal of the proletariat. Meanwhile, figures such as Benjamin and Mollie represent varying responses to the revolution's outcomes, from cynicism to nostalgia for the past. Overall, the character dynamics in "Animal Farm" serve as a poignant commentary on power, manipulation, and the complexities of social change.
Animal Farm: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Orwell
First published: 1945
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Satire
Time: The mid-twentieth century
Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm. After getting drunk on Midsummer's Eve, Mr. Jones fails to return in time to feed his animals. They have been thinking about rebellion anyway, and they take this opportunity to chase away Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones, and the human farmworkers. In his ineptness, Mr. Jones is analogous to the czar of Russia, who was unable to hold Russia together during the stress of World War I.
Old Major, a boar previously exhibited as Willingdon Beauty. He is the prize boar whose dream inspires the Animalist Revolution on Manor Farm. Modeled on Vladimir Ilich Lenin, Old Major is highly respected in the barnyard, a capable orator, and an uncompromising ideologue for the Animalist cause. He dies in his sleep before the rebellion can take place.
Snowball, a young boar whose chief rival is Napoleon. Snowball is modeled on Leon Trotsky and so represents intelligence and organizational ability rather than brute force. It is Snowball, for example, who writes the Seven Commandments on the barnyard wall, who has the idea of building the windmill, and who studies the books left behind by Mr. Jones to see what practical benefit he can extract from them. Like Trotsky, Snowball is exiled after the revolution and is falsely made out to be the chief villain of Animal Farm.
Napoleon, a young boar who ousts Snowball and assumes complete power over the other animals. While Snowball is studying human science, Napoleon trains a litter of dogs to become his secret police force. Napoleon corresponds to Joseph Stalin, who ousted Trotsky after the death of Lenin and who then led bloody purges against possible and imagined dissenters.
Squealer, also a young boar. Squealer is the most clever with language and is Napoleon's propagandist and chief misinformation officer. He is said to be able to turn black into white, meaning that he can convince most animals of things that are patently false.
Boxer, a cart horse who always works hard. His two mottos are “Napoleon is always right” and “I will work harder.” When he gets a split hoof, he is sent off to the glue factory, though Squealer claims he is sent to a hospital. He is a good friends of Benjamin.
Clover, a maternal, hardworking cart horse. Boxer and Clover are the most faithful disciples of the pigs who run Animal Farm. They are not intelligent, and so they are easily fooled by Napoleon and Squealer. Boxer and Clover represent both the main strengths and the main weaknesses of the working class.
Benjamin, a cynical donkey. He alone among Animal Farm animals is not fooled by Squealer's lies. Benjamin is not exactly an intellectual but rather represents the sort of barnyard wisdom that prefers not to announce itself publicly. Benjamin, however, cries out when Boxer is taken to the glue factory.
Mollie, a young, foolish mare. She cannot forget the niceties of farm life that were lost with the revolution; she misses decorative ribbons and the occasional lump of sugar. She runs away to a farm where she is pampered.
Moses, a raven who claims the existence of Sugarcandy Mountain. He is a spy for Mr. Jones and, in his insistence on otherworldly rewards, appears to represent institutionalized religion.
Mr. Pilkington, a human enemy of Animal Farm who comes to do business with the animals.
Frederick, a farmer from Pinchfield. Although he is an enemy of the farm, he comes to buy leftover timber. He pays with forged currency. Frederick represents Adolf Hitler, who, despite much distrust, formed the Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union and then broke it.