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Celine Kanso
Hanan Ghousaini
English
27 May 2025
Revolution Betrayed: Symbolism in Orwell’s Animal Farm
Introduction
George Orwell’s Animal Farm, first published in 1945, is a politically controversial
novella that uses a satirical fable to critique and expose totalitarian regimes specifically, the
Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism in the Soviet Union. Orwell, a British writer known
for his harsh criticism of authoritarianism and propaganda, uses symbolism as a literary disguise
in Animal Farm to mask a sharp critique of Soviet Communism behind what appears to be a
simple tale about talking animals. Symbolism; literary device in which an object, character,
setting represents a deeper meaning beyond its literal sense. Symbolism is used to convey
abstract ideas, themes, or emotions in a more vivid, layered, or indirect way. Symbolism allows
authors to express complex ideas like power, betrayal, or oppression through concrete images or
characters. By setting the story on a farm and replacing political figures with animals, Orwell is
able to convey dangerous political ideas while avoiding direct censorship. Animal Farm tells a
story of a group of farm animals who overthrow their human farmer in hopes of creating an
equal society. However, their revolution is gradually corrupted by the pigs who assume
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leadership, ultimately replicating the same oppression they initially fought to escape; revealing
ideologies of betrayal and manipulation behind true historic dictators. (Harvill Secker, 1945)
Symbolism of Key Animals and Historical Figures
Orwell uses animal characters to symbolize historical figures from the Russian
Revolution and its aftermath. Through these symbolic figures, Orwell critiques how
revolutionary ideals are corrupted by power and authoritarianism, he exposes dictators’
true intentions and schemes and avoids naming individuals directly. Animal Farm
intricately depicts every character where a different meaning lies behind them and
symbolizes the reality of historical situations.
Napoleon as Joseph Stalin
Napoleon, the dominant pig in Animal Farm, is a direct allegorical representation
of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader who rose to power after the Russian Revolution. At the
beginning of the novel, Napoleon appears to share in the collective ideals of animal
equality and shared labor. However, he begins to consolidate power, systematically
removing his rivals so Napoleon assumes total control and begins ruling the farm through
fear and manipulation. “Napoleon is always right” (Orwell 59) reflects how loyalty was
demanded, not earned. Moreover, Napoleon slowly betrays the original principles of
animalism, which were meant to ensure equality and fairness among the animals. This
moment marks Napoleon’s first secret move toward consolidating power “Napoleon took
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them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their
education” (Orwell 34).
Snowball As Leon Trotsky
Snowball is an intelligent, passionate and eloquent pig who serves as one of the
primary leaders of the animal’s rebellion. “Snowball was in league with Jones from the
very start!” (Orwell 70) emphasizes the idea that snowball’s intelligence was a known
fact among the animals in the farm. He symbolizes Leon Trotsky, one of the key
architects of the Russian Revolution and an influential voice in promoting Marxist theory
and modernization. Like Trotsky, Snowball is deeply invested in progress and education,
he initiates committees to improve animal welfare.
Boxer As The Working Class
Boxer is a hardworking cart-horse who embodies the loyal and exploited working
class. His mottos “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right” (Orwell 59) reveal
blind loyalty and self-sacrifice. “The animals had assumed as a matter of course that
these two were sent to the knacker’s” (Orwell 123). Boxer’s tragic: end being sold to a
glue factory, illustrates how totalitarian regimes use and discard their most devoted
supporters.
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The Sheep Representing Mass Public Conformity
The sheep represent the uninformed and easily manipulated masses. They parrot
propaganda without question, drowning out dissent with slogans like: “Four legs good,
two legs better!” (Orwell 128). Their mindless repetition symbolizes how dictatorships
use propaganda to suppress independent thought.
Dehumanization Through Symbolism
The fake animal names show how people lose their identity under totalitarian regimes.
The pigs, for example, become indistinguishable from humans by the end which
highlights how corrupt leaders become just like the ones they replaced for instance,
Napoleon (the pig) starts as a revolutionary but ends up walking on two legs, drinking
alcohol, and living in luxury exactly like the human tyrants the animals overthrew.
Conclusion
Orwell uses symbolism throughout Animal Farm to deliver a powerful critique of
political corruption, authoritarianism, and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Through
characters like Napoleon and Snowball, Orwell reflects the rise of Stalin and the fall of
Trotsky, while the farm itself mirrors the transformation of the Soviet Union. Objects like
the Seven Commandments and the farmhouse serve as symbols of how power can be
manipulated and equality erased. By disguising real historical figures and events through
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the lens of a fable, making complex political commentary accessible and timeless,
warning readers of the dangers that arise when ideals are sacrificed for control and
personal gain. Orwell emphasizes this betrayal in the chilling final scene: “The creatures
outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but
already it was impossible to say which was which” (Orwell 135). Through Napoleon,
Orwell warns readers about the corrupting nature of power and how revolutionary ideals
can be manipulated to serve authoritarian ends.
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References
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Harvill Secker, 1945.
Meyers, Jeffrey. “Orwell’s Animal Farm: A Political Fable.” Twentieth Century Literature, vol.
27, no. 1, 1981, pp. 51–58. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/440812.
Rodden, John. Understanding Animal Farm: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and
Historical Documents. Greenwood Press, 1999.
Woodcock, George. The Crystal Spirit: A Study of George Orwell. University of Toronto Press,
1966.
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Works Cited
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