Animal Farm - Character Symbols

Character Symbolism in Animal Farm

• Old Major: Represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, key figures in the development of Communism, signaling the ideological foundation for the rebellion.
• Napoleon: Symbolizes Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who ruled with an iron fist and executed various purges during his time in power.
• Snowball: Represents Leon Trotsky, a prominent revolutionary leader who was exiled and later assassinated on Stalin's orders, reflecting the struggle for power within the Communist party.
• Squealer: Embodies the Soviet press, illustrating how media was manipulated by Stalin to spread propaganda and control public perception.
• Minimus: A pig who crafts propaganda poems, symbolizing the use of art as a tool for totalitarian control and the shaping of citizens' beliefs.
• Boxer: Represents the male working class and peasants, embodying the hardworking yet exploited labor force that supported the revolutionary ideals but ultimately faced betrayal.
• Clover: Symbolizes the female working class and peasant women, highlighting their role and struggles within the Soviet society.
• Mollie: Represents the self-serving, materialistic middle class, illustrating those who prioritized personal comfort over collective good during a time of revolution.
• Benjamin: Symbolizes the skeptical and detached individuals who recognized the oppressive regime but remained inactive, criticizing passivity in the face of injustice.
• The Dogs: Represent the Soviet secret police, showcasing the violent enforcement of the regime's power and the suppression of dissent.
• Moses: Symbolizes organized religion, reflecting its role in providing comfort and a promise of a better life beyond the hardships of the current world.
• The Sheep: Represent the unthinking masses that follow totalitarian leaders blindly, depicting the dangers of indoctrination.
• Mr. Jones: Symbolizes the Russian Tsar, illustrating the oppressive rule that catalyzed the revolution and the liberation movements in early 20th century Russia.
• Frederick: Represents Fascist Germany, highlighting the external threats and conflicts that emerged during the period of totalitarian rule.
• Pilkington: Symbolizes the Western Allies, particularly the British, who had varied relationships with the Soviet regime before World War II.
• Whymper: Represents capitalists who profited from dealings with the USSR, emphasizing the complexities of international business and political relationships during this era.