Although they definitely get worse as the story progresses, the pigs are greedy from the start.
When Napoleon takes over, Animal Farm is doomed. Snowball was no angel, but he was a sound
leader. Napoleon is just bad to the (delicious) bone
Themes;
The Corruption of Socialist Ideals in the Soviet Union
Animal Farm is most famous in the West as a stinging critique of the history and rhetoric
of the Russian Revolution. Retelling the story of the emergence and development of
Soviet communism in the form of an animal fable, Animal Farm allegorizes the rise to
power of the dictator Joseph Stalin. In the novella, the overthrow of the human
oppressor Mr. Jones by a democratic coalition of animals quickly gives way to the
consolidation of power among the pigs. Much like the Soviet intelligentsia, the pigs
establish themselves as the ruling class in the new society.
The struggle for preeminence between Leon Trotsky and Stalin emerges in the rivalry
between the pigs Snowball and Napoleon. In both the historical and fictional cases, the
idealistic but politically less powerful figure (Trotsky and Snowball) is expelled from the
revolutionary state by the malicious and violent usurper of power (Stalin and Napoleon).
The purges and show trials with which Stalin eliminated his enemies and solidified his
political base find expression in Animal Farm as the false confessions and executions of
animals whom Napoleon distrusts following the collapse of the windmill. Stalin’s
tyrannical rule and eventual abandonment of the founding principles of the Russian
Revolution are represented by the pigs’ turn to violent government and the adoption of
human traits and behaviors, the trappings of their original
Although Orwell believed strongly in socialist ideals, he felt that the Soviet Union realized these
ideals in a terribly perverse form. His novella creates its most powerful ironies in the moments in
which Orwell depicts the corruption of Animalist ideals by those in power. For Animal
Farm serves not so much to condemn tyranny or despotism as to indict the horrifying hypocrisy
of tyrannies that base themselves on, and owe their initial power to, ideologies of liberation and
equality. The gradual disintegration and perversion of the Seven Commandments illustrates this
hypocrisy with vivid force, as do Squealer’s elaborate philosophical justifications for the pigs’
blatantly unprincipled actions. Thus, the novella critiques the violence of the Stalinist regime
against the human beings it ruled, and also points to Soviet communism’s violence against
human logic, language, and ideals.
The Societal Tendency Toward Class Stratification
Animal Farm offers commentary on the development of class tyranny and the human tendency to
maintain and reestablish class structures even in societies that allegedly stand for total equality.
The novella illustrates how classes that are initially unified in the face of a common enemy, as
the animals are against the humans, may become internally divided when that enemy is
eliminated. The expulsion of Mr. Jones creates a power vacuum, and it is only so long before the
next oppressor assumes totalitarian control. The natural division between intellectual and
physical labor quickly comes to express itself as a new set of class divisions, with the
“brainworkers” (as the pigs claim to be) using their superior intelligence to manipulate society to
their own benefit. Orwell never clarifies in Animal Farm whether this negative state of affairs
constitutes an inherent aspect of society or merely an outcome contingent on the integrity of a
society’s intelligentsia. In either case, the novella points to the force of this tendency toward
class stratification in many communities and the threat that it poses to democracy and freedom.
The Danger of a Naïve Working Class
One of the novella’s most impressive accomplishments is its portrayal not just of the figures in
power but also of the oppressed people themselves. Animal Farm is not told from the perspective
of any particular character, though occasionally it does slip into Clover’s consciousness. Rather,
the story is told from the perspective of the common animals as a whole. Gullible, loyal, and
hardworking, these animals give Orwell a chance to sketch how situations of oppression arise not
only from the motives and tactics of the oppressors but also from the naïveté of the oppressed,
who are not necessarily in a position to be better educated or informed. When presented with a
dilemma, Boxer prefers not to puzzle out the implications of various possible actions but instead
to repeat to himself, “Napoleon is always right.” Animal Farm demonstrates how the inability or
unwillingness to question authority condemns the working class to suffer the full extent of the
ruling class’s oppression
The Abuse of Language as Instrumental to the Abuse of Power
One of Orwell’s central concerns, both in Animal Farm and in 1984, is the way in which
language can be manipulated as an instrument of control. In Animal Farm, the pigs gradually
twist and distort a rhetoric of socialist revolution to justify their behavior and to keep the other
animals in the dark. The animals heartily embrace Major’s visionary ideal of socialism, but after
Major dies, the pigs gradually twist the meaning of his words. As a result, the other animals seem
unable to oppose the pigs without also opposing the ideals of the Rebellion. By the end of the
novella, after Squealer’s repeated reconfigurations of the Seven Commandments in order to
decriminalize the pigs’ treacheries, the main principle of the farm can be openly stated as “all
animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This outrageous abuse of the
word “equal” and of the ideal of equality in general typifies the pigs’ method, which becomes
increasingly audacious as the novel progresses. Orwell’s sophisticated exposure of this abuse of
language remains one of the most compelling and enduring features of Animal Farm, worthy of
close study even after we have decoded its allegorical characters and events.
Can also be included in the heading of “Language”^^^^^^^
Some more themes
Political Allegory
Orwell frames his story as a political allegory; every character represents a figure from the
Russian Revolution. Mr. Jones, the original human owner of the farm, represents the ineffective
and incompetent Czar Nicholas II. The pigs represent key members of Bolshevik leadership:
Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin, Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, and Squealer represents
Vyacheslav Molotov. Other animals represent the working classes of Russia: initially passionate
about revolution eventually manipulated into supporting a regime that was just as incompetent
and arguably more brutal than the previous one.
Totalitarianism
Orwell argues that any revolution led by a small, conspiratorial group can only degenerate into
oppression and tyranny. He makes this argument through the allegory of the farm. The revolution
begins with firm principles of equality and justice, and initially, the results are positive, as the
animals get to labor for their own direct benefit. However, as Orwell demonstrates, revolutionary
leaders can become as corrupt and incompetent as the government they overthrew.
The pigs adopt the human ways they once fiercely opposed (drinking whiskey, sleeping in beds),
and they make business deals with farmers that benefit them alone. Meanwhile, the other animals
see only negative changes in their lives. They continue to support Napoleon and work harder
than ever despite the decline in quality of living. Eventually, the promises of heated stalls and
electric light—what they've been working for all along—become fantasy.
Animal Farm suggests that totalitarianism and hypocrisy are endemic to the human condition.
Without education and true empowerment of the lower classes, Orwell argues, society will
always default to tyranny.
Corruption of Ideals
The pigs’ descent into corruption is a key element of the novel. Orwell, a socialist, believed the
Russian Revolution had been corrupted by power-seekers like Stalin from the start.
The animals' revolution is initially led by Snowball, the key architect of Animalism; at first,
Napoleon is a secondary player, much like Stalin. However, Napoleon plots in secret to seize
power and drive Snowball away, undermining Snowball's policies and training the dogs to be his
enforcers. The principles of equality and solidarity that inspired the animals become mere tools
for Napoleon to seize power. The gradual erosion of these values reflects Orwell’s criticism of
Stalin as nothing more than a tyrant hanging onto power through the fiction of a communist
revolution.
Orwell doesn’t reserve his vitriol for the leaders, however. The animals representing the people
of Russia are depicted as complicit in this corruption through inaction, fear, and ignorance. Their
dedication to Napoleon and the imaginary benefits of his leadership enable the pigs to maintain
their hold on power, and the ability of the pigs to convince the other animals that their lives were
better even as their lives become demonstrably worse is Orwell’s condemnation of the choice to
submit to propaganda and magical thinking.
These themes are explored through the events and characters in the novel, and are
an allegory for the Russian Revolution.
The animals' unhappiness represents class struggle, this leads to the Rebellion which offers
some equality. Then the pigs' actions allow inequality back on the farm.
The theme of power and control is explored throughout the novel and is highlighted by the
characters' relationships on the farm.
The themes are political and explore what happened within Russian society in 1917
onwards. Orwell originally subtitled the novel 'a fairy story' suggesting he intended it as
a fable.
Use of language:
Power of Language
Animal Farm explores how propaganda can be used to control people. From the start of the
novel, Orwell depicts the animals being manipulated by common propaganda techniques,
including songs, slogans, and ever-changing information. Singing "Beasts of England" evokes an
emotional response that reinforces the animals' loyalty to both Animalism and the pigs. The
adoption of slogans like Napoleon is always right or four legs good, two legs bad demonstrates
their unfamiliarity with the complex philosophical and political concepts underlying the
revolution. The constant alteration of the Seven Commandments of Animalism demonstrates
how those in control of information can manipulate the rest of a population.
The pigs, who serve as the leaders of the farm, are the only animals with a strong command of
language. Snowball is an eloquent speaker who composes the philosophy of Animalism and
persuades his fellow beasts with the power of his oratory. Squealer is adept at lying and spinning
stories to maintain control. (For example, when the other animals are upset about Boxer’s cruel
fate, Squealer quickly composes a fiction to defuse their anger and confuse the issue.) Napoleon,
while not as smart or as eloquent as Snowball, is skilled at imposing his own false view on
everyone around him, as when he falsely inserts himself into the historical record of the Battle of
the Cowshed.
Below is an example section from the novel. In this section Napoleon is speaking to the farm
animals. He blames Snowball for the damage the bad weather has done to the windmill.
'Comrades', he said quietly, 'do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the
enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!' he roared
in a voice of thunder. 'Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity, thinking to set
back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion, this traitor has crept here
under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year'
The consequences of the other animals’ illiteracy and lack of education, the novel shows, is
that it makes them susceptible to blindly believing misinformation and propaganda that
the pigs spread through Squealer and Minimus. Not only can animals like Clover not
recognize when the pigs tamper with the Seven Commandments and alter them to meet
their needs; Clover also cannot remember correctly what the Commandments used to be.
Further, Animal Farm also shows how the extremely uneducated, such as the sheep (and,
it’s implied, Boxer) can be manipulated into becoming important tools for spreading
propaganda. Though Boxer is unable to read, he nevertheless trusts his leaders completely
and so adopts the maxim “I will work harder,” which the other animals find more
compelling and noble than any of the flowery speeches that Napoleon or Squealer give. The
sheep, on the other hand, are unable to memorize the Seven Commandments and so learn a
maxim that Snowball develops: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” This maxim in particular is
so simplistic as to be almost meaningless, in addition to containing no nuance. The fowl, for
instance, have two legs and take issue with this maxim until Snowball is able to explain to
them why they’re actually wrong—and because of their lack of intelligence and Snowball’s
grasp of language, he’s able to effectively convince them that the maxim functions as it
should.
By the end of the novel, the pigs are so powerful that their language and intellectualism
doesn’t have to make sense—or be true—in any way; rather, it simply has to look like
they’re smart and in charge. Squealer’s constant recitation of figures “proving” that
Animal Farm is producing more than ever function to make him look powerful and
intelligent, but the animals are unable to fully reconcile that in reality, they have little food
no matter what Squealer says. Similarly, the final change to the Seven Commandments, in
which the Commandments change from seven (albeit altered) guiding principles to the
phrase “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” encapsulates
this idea. The phrase mocks the meaning of the word “equal,” for one—if all animals are
equal, there shouldn’t be a hierarchy among them, when clearly, there is one—while also
being ambiguous enough for the pigs to essentially make the phrase mean whatever they
want it to. In this sense, it allows them to maintain their power, since they can insist the
phrase means they should have more power, while also still employing words like “equal”
that make the other animals feel as though, per the phrase, everything is still fine. In this
way, Animal Farm shows clearly how those in power and with a firm grasp of language can
easily use it to manipulate those who don’t have the education or memory to stand up to
them—and in doing so, keep those individuals down, deny them any possibility of
advancement, and create the illusion that things are just as they should be.
The end of World War II, the detonation of the atomic bomb, and the start of the Cold War, all
took place during 1945. However, what also took place that year was the publishing of George
Orwell’s, Animal Farm. Through the use of animals, the novel mocks certain human traits and
characteristics. It depicts man’s greed and selfishness as part of human nature and how innocent
bystanders are swept under and destroyed by these selfish, heartless people. Orwell’s
transformation of the pigs into humans shocks the reader who eventually realizes the tremendous
similarities that humans have with the pigs in the novel. A recurring theme in this novel is how
language can be manipulated as an instrument of control. From the inspiring song, “Beasts of
England” to the commandments and the changing of them by Napoleon, the main source of
power throughout the novel is language and the use of rhetoric. Without the correct use of
language and the power of words in Animal Farm, the rebellion never would have taken place
and certainly the end result of Napoleon’s complete takeover would never have happened.
Through Napoleon’s manipulative characteristics, the gullibility of the animals of the farm and
the impressive rhetorical and propaganda skills of Squealer, reality is shaped by words.
In the beginning of the novel, Napoleon shows no concern in what the animals do and leaves
most of the leadership work and inspirational speeches to Snowball. Napoleon is described as,
“…not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way,” (Orwell, 25). This
foreshadows Napoleon’s future behaviour because later on in the novel, he takes on more of a
Stalin-like role in the farm. Unable to effectively speak in public, he uses Squealer to talk to the
animals of the farm and get them under control. However, being unable to speak effectively in
public doesn’t hold him back from taking control. To maintain power, he uses many different
types of propaganda techniques, one of which being, using Snowball as scapegoat. Napoleon
blames the farm’s failures on Snowball who is no where to be found so he cannot deny or
confirm any truth of what is said. For instance, when Boxer questions the loyalty of Snowball,
Napoleon tells Squealer to announce that “Snowball was Jones’s agent from the very beginning”.
(Orwell, chpt.6) Boxer, being the loyal and gullible animal he is, admits that “if Comrade
Napoleon says it, it must be right.” (Orwell, chpt.6) Not only does Napoleon use Snowball as
scapegoat, so that he can secure his position, he alters the seven commandments to legitimize
what he does (drink alcohol, sleep in beds, deal with humans). At this point in the history of the
farm, the pigs do not quite have enough power to do what they like and Squealer is forced to
change the Commandments to fit new circumstances. Meaning, the pigs haven’t yet fully gained
the trust of the animals of the farm and therefore need to alter the commandments secretively.
The first alteration to the Commandments comes after the pigs move back into the farmhouse. As
the pigs slowly adapted to the ways of humans, they started sleeping on beds. The ban on
sleeping in beds was changed in Napoleon’s favour by the addition of the words ‘with sheets’.
When Clover questions the sleeping in beds of the pigs, she finds that the fourth commandment
says, “‘No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” (Orwell, chpt.5) Clover doesn’t quite
remember the ‘with sheets’ being there and eventually concludes that “it must have been there,”
(Orwell, chpt.5) Due to Clover’s faulty memory she wasn’t able to recognize this alteration.
From drinking alcohol to murder, and everything in between, Napoleon abused the seven
commandments of Animalism and was never rebelled against, not once. This was due to all the
animals of the farm being very gullible, to such an extent, that they didn’t realize what was really
going on. The gullibility of the animals played an important role in taking Napoleon to the top.
He relies on the gullibility of the strongest animals, like Boxer the horse, and the apathy of the
wisest, like Benjamin the donkey. When anyone questions Napoleon’s version of history, he has
a herd of sheep chant loudly over their protests. In Chapter nine, we read of the tragic death of
Boxer, the veteran of the “Battle of the Cowshed” and the “Battle of the Windmill.” Boxer’s
motto had always been “I will work harder,” (Orwell, chpt.3) and it is precisely this over
exertion in rebuilding the windmill which finally causes his death. One day he collapses and is
taken away to the slaughterhouse where his body parts are commercially exploited. When the
animals question this tragic death, they are yet again fooled by Squealer. “The animals were
relieved to hear [that, he had received] admirable care [and] expensive medicine for which
Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost, ,” (Orwell, chpt.8).They are told that Boxer
was given the best of the best treatment, however, couldn’t survive. The animals, being gullible,
calmly agree with him and are told to work even harder since Boxer is not there to help anymore.
In chapter 5, when the pigs were found sleeping in beds, Clover thought that there was surely a
definite rule against sleeping in beds. “Muriel,” she said, “read me the Fourth Commandment.
Does it not say something about never sleeping in a bed?” (Orwell, chpt.5) However, Squealer
came along to explain that “a bed is merely a place to sleep in. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed,
properly regarded. The rule was against sheets, which are a human invention. We have removed
the sheets from the far…” (Orwell, chpt.5) Clover eventually agreed as she could not remember
and because Squealer was thought as a friend, she accepted what he said and didn’t argue any
further. “All that year the animals worked like slaves.” (Orwell, 63) The animals thought that by
obeying the pigs, they were preventing the farm from disbanding. Orwell is quite literally
suggesting that even if a smart person or leader says something, it cannot be assumed to be true,
as demonstrated by politicians. Propaganda only succeeds if people are gullible.
Squealer, described as quite the tricky pig, takes advantage of the other animals’ ignorance and
exploits it to an unimaginable level. Squealer has all the characteristics of a successful orator; he
is charismatic, intelligent, emotional, persuasive, and even hypnotic. Above all, through the use
of correct words and rhetoric, he is able to manipulate language in order to gain the confidence
of the animals of the farm. Squealer, being the most powerful weapon which Napoleon
possesses, uses his extraordinary skills to bring Napoleon to such a height of success. Squealer
constantly puts particular spins on events and conditions and he uses slogans and such to help
control the other animals. For instance, when the animals question the pigs getting all the apples
and milk, he replies,
You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?
Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking
these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science,
comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are
brainworkers. The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us. Day and night
we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those
apples (Orwell, chpt.3).
Squealer often uses comrades to give the animals a title, a position, which really makes them feel
important, useful and in place. However, when it comes to them questioning the actions of the
pigs, Squealer often threatens the animals that Mr. Jones will come back, “Surely, comrades,
surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?” (Orwell, chpt.3) It
continues to say how the animals certainly do not want Mr. Jones back. “The importance of
keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious” (Orwell, chpt.3) This comes to show how
Squealer has the animals so deeply convinced, that they don’t know what is actually happening.
Also, Squealer often uses certain slogans that drum ideas into their head, rather than having them
think about anything. Slogans such as, “Tactics, comrades, tactics” (Orwell, chpt.5) are used to
get the interest of the animals and have them thinking about what they are doing wrong. This
displays Squealer’s ability to use certain words and slogans to not only convince the animals, but
have them happily agree with him. Although Squealer is a porker pig, he plays almost the main
character in the novel. Without Squealer’s ability to persuade, Napoleon was to get nowhere. By
giving Squealer such a role, Orwell is suggesting that one doesn’t have to look intelligent to be
intelligent, but, in fact, must know how to use their intelligence correctly, for good or for bad.
The main source of power was from the correct use of rhetoric and language. Through
Napoleon’s manipulative characteristics, the gullibility of the animals of the farm and the
impressive rhetorical and propaganda skills of Squealer, reality was shaped by words. Animal
farm discreetly gives out warning signs on life and what to expect of people. Using animals on a
farm, Orwell tells about an unstable fight for power. Hidden warnings found in the book depend
on the reader. Orwell mainly pushes the points of education as a necessity of life, there is no
peace when striving for power, and words have a very large impact on the minds of others. Many
things in life can be used as a warning but it is unfortunate that the warnings aren’t usually
noticed until it is too late. None of the animals knew how much education meant, or how much
the greed for power had taken over, or even that they were being lied to through the words of
those very convincing pigs. By demonstrating how easily swayed the animals of the farm are by
a powerful speech or strong words, Orwell is demonstrating the human vulnerability to carefully
chosen words and our unfortunate ability to fall victim to the power of words without
understanding the deeper meanings behind them.
Essay about The Use of Language in
Animal Farm
479 Words2 Pages
The Use of Language in Animal Farm Animal Farm by George
Orwell is an allegory in which animals are personified to
represent the struggles and conflicts of the Russian Revolution.
The main point emphasizes in the novel is that language is a
powerful tool, which can be used to manipulate and control
people in order to bring about change, whether big or small. In
the story the pigs govern everything that happens, whether it is
something as miner as eating a meal, or something as major and
important as fighting a strategic battle. Napoleon, the foreman, or
leader of the pigs is the most powerful of them all. Napoleon and
his “side kick”, Squealer, abused the powers of language to
manipulate the…show more content…
They have no choice, but to listen to the pigs, and agree with
what they say so that they will not be considered as going against
them. Only Molly, a horse, is smart enough not to listen, and
leaves the farm. Napoleon is one of the most dangerous
manipulators throughout the novel. At first he rejects all of
Snowball’s plans, and takes part in nothing, but after chases
Snowball away with his vicious dogs, he tells everyone that it
really was he who came up with the plans for the windmill, that it
was he who came up with all of the other good ideas. With the
help of Squealer, he is able to persuade everyone that Snowball is
really a traitor, and on the farmer’s side. At first, many animals,
especially Boxer, were hesitant to believe this, knowing that
Snowball was a hero during the battle, but nobody dared argue
against Napoleon and his cohorts, fearing the vicious dogs that he
used to murder many animals for small crimes. Squealer, another
manipulator, abuses language in order to justify that what
Napoleon does and says is right. He is able to talk to the
uneducated animals on the farm, using complicated words in
order to confuse them
Characterization:
CHARACTERIZATION
Napoleon: Napoleon is an antagonist of the story. Napoleon is the leader of Animal Farm. He is
a "dictator-like" pig. He uses force to control the other animals. He is a dynamic and round
character because he was once a great leader, but later was corrupt.
Snowball: Snowball is a protagonist of the story. He challenges Napoleon for his power of
Animal Farm. Snowball is extremely intelligent and is better liked by the other animals. He is a
dynamic and round character because he once was a leader in animalism but later banished and
said to have changed his mind.
Boxer: Boxer is a protagonist of the story. Boxer is an extremely strong horse who supports the
rebellion. He is also very naive and unintelligent. He is a dynamic character because he was once
very determined but in the end wished the retire.
Old Major: Old Major is a protagonist of the story. He inspires the animal rebellion. He dies
early on in the story. He is a static character because he hated humans throughout his whole life.
Squealer: Squealer was an antagonist of the story. He enjoyed power and supported Napoleon to
get it. He convinces everyone that the farm is doing well when it is not. He is a dynamic
character because he eventually came to not support animalism anymore.
Clover: Clover is a protagonist of the story. She is a kind horse. She is best friends with Boxer.
Throughout the story she is very suspicious of the pigs. She is a static character because she
never doubt animalism.
Moses: Moses is an antagonist of the story. Moses is a raven who was once Mr. Jones's pet. He
often talks of an "animal heaven." He is a static character.
Mollie: Mollie is an antagonist of the story. Mollie is a the horse who pulls Mr. Jones Carriage.
She is extremely self centered and loves the attention she gets from humans. She is a static
character because she remains vain and misses human attention after the rebellion, leading her to
rejoin them.
Benjamin: Benjamin is an antagonist in the story. Benjamin is a stubborn donkey. He feels
neither excited or against the rebellion. He is static because he remains stubborn.
Muriel: Muriel is a protagonist of the story. She is a very smart goat who often helps Clover. She
is a dynamic character because she favored the rebellion at first, but later on was unsure of
herself.
Mr. Jones: Mr. Jones in an antagonist in the story. Mr. Jones is the owner of Manor Farms before
Animal Farm is created. He is a cruel, alcoholic farmer who fails to take care of the animals
properly. Mr. Jones is a static character because he does not change his opinion of Animal Farm
throughout the whole book.
Minimus: Minimus is an antagonist of the story. Minimus is a pig who is always supporting
Napoleon. He is a static character because of this.
By setting Animal Farm on, uh, a farm, Orwell gets to play with our stereotypes about animals—
well, expect he doesn't actually play with them so much as use them to his advantage. The pigs
are smart and greedy, the horses are strong and loyal, the cat is lazy, the donkey is cynical and
wise, and the humans—yeesh, the humans. They're just a mess.
Symbolism of Boxer
Characterization of Snowball.
Napoleon's actions and personality are very similar to Joseph Stalin's. Both were very
strict and controlling. They also both had what is known as a "Great Purge", or period
where they would persecute anyone who threatened their power. For example, on page
84 Orwell states, " They were all slain on the spot. And so the tale of confessions and
executions went on, until their was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet..." the
animals being executed were connected to Snowball.
Snowball is a pig that is portrayed as "evil" by the leader of Animal farm, Napoleon. For
example, Orwell states, "a most terrible thing has been discovered. Snowball has sold
himself to Fredrick of Pinchfield Farm, who is even now plotting to attack us and take
our farm away from us!" (Orwell 79).
Snowball and the Russian Revolution
Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin's main opposition after Lenin was no
longer the leader of Russia. For most of the story, Snowball and Napoleon are in a
disagreement. Eventually, Napoleon forces Snowball off the farm and restricts the
animals of the farm from being in contact with Snowball. For example, Orwell states on
page 78, "Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball."
Mr. Jones and the Russian Revolution.
Mr. Jones character is very similar to Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia before the
Russian Revolution. The animals of Manor Farm strongly dislike Mr. Jones because of
his unfair treatment and have a strong desire to get rid of him. For example, on page 7
Orwell states, "Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and
overwork is abolished forever." This is basically stating that once Jones is gone, the
animals will prosper. Likewise, the Russians did not like what the Tsar was doing,
therefore revoking his power.
The Beasts Of England
Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory to the Russian revolution. This means that
the plot, characters, and setting all relate to the Russian Revolution.
The Seven Commandments, a list of rules intended to help keep things in order during
the revolution, symbolize the animals loyalty and their unintelligent blindness. Napoleon
curves the rules in multiple parts of the story and when the animals gain suspicion of his
actions, he changes the rule. For example, on page 109 Orwell states, "They had
thought the Fifth Commandment was 'No Animal shall drink alcohol,' but there were two
words they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment read: 'No animal shall drink
alcohol to excess.'"
Presentation By: Chase Somodi
Symbolism in Animal Farm
In Animal Farm by George Orwell, there are many things that represent something
bigger. These things include characters, songs, and rules.
Background Information
Boxer, the hardworking horse on the farm, is a symbol of the Proletariats, or working
class during the Russian Revolution. In many parts of the story Boxer is seen working
harder and longer. On page 5 Orwell states, "...in fact he was not of first-rate
intelligence, but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and
tremendous powers of work."
Characterization and Symbolism in Animal Farm By George Orwell.
Characterization of Mr. Jones.
Napoleon, the leader of the animals on "Animal Farm", is characterized as sneaky,
dishonest and persuasive. He tricks the animals into believing something wrong is right
in multiple parts throughout the story. For instance, on page 63 Orwell states, "Never to
have any dealings with human beings, never to engage in trade, never to make use of
money..." This quote refers to when Napoleon established trade with neighboring farms,
which was against the 7 commandments.
Napoleon and the Russian Revolution
Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, is characterized as the enemy of the story. The
animals continuously discuss his wrong doings throughout the story. For example,
Orwell states, "He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will
prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself,"(8).
The Beasts of England is a song that is commonly sung by the animals of the farm. It
symbolizes their hopes of becoming free from humanity. The animals sing it at least
once a day and it seems as though it comforts the animals. For example, Orwell states,
"The singing of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement. Almost before
Major had reached the end, they had begun singing it for themselves." (13).
