Animal Farm Characters Flashcards

Study Notes

Character Analysis of Animal Farm

Napoleon
- A pig who becomes the tyrannical leader post-Rebellion.
- Represents Joseph Stalin; employs fear tactics (attack dogs) for power consolidation.
- More deceptive than Snowball, ultimately betraying the Rebellion's ideals.
Snowball
- A pig who initially challenges Napoleon for dominance over Animal Farm.
- Based on Leon Trotsky; characterized by his intelligence, passion, and persuasive abilities.
- Gathers support from other animals but is eventually ousted by Napoleon.
Boxer
- A hardworking cart-horse known for his strength and loyalty.
- Represents the dedicated but naive working class; lacks independent thought.
- Shows unwavering loyalty to the farm with mottos like "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right."
Squealer
- A pig responsible for disseminating propaganda supporting Napoleon.
- Justifies the pigs' privileges and manipulates facts to maintain control.
- Illustrates how language can be weaponized to distort truth in governance.
Old Major
- A prize-winning boar whose idealistic vision inspires the Rebellion.
- Based on Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin; dies shortly after delivering his speech.
- Represents the genesis of revolutionary thought.
Clover
- A female cart-horse and faithful friend of Boxer.
- Kind-hearted yet increasingly aware of the pigs' deceit regarding the Seven Commandments.
- Struggles with her memory of the rules, reflecting the theme of exploitation of the working class.
Moses
- A tame raven propagating tales of Sugarcandy Mountain, a mythical paradise for animals after death.
- Symbolizes how religion can be used to placate the oppressed under communist regimes.
Mollie
- A vain and self-centered mare who resists the principles of Animalism.
- Longs for human attention and luxurious treats, embodying the petit bourgeoisie fleeing post-Revolution Russia.
Benjamin
- A cynical, long-lived donkey who remains unenthused by the Rebellion.
- Represents the disillusioned individual, aware of the grim reality through changing leadership yet passive.
Muriel
- A white goat who assists Clover by reading the Seven Commandments during her doubts about the pigs' conduct.
Mr. Jones
- The negligent farmer who previously managed Manor Farm; indulged himself while his animals starved.
- Represents Tsar Nicholas II, embodying the exploitative rulers over the working class.
Mr. Frederick
- A tough and cunning neighboring farmer representing Adolf Hitler.
- Known for being deceitful, he embodies the treachery associated with oppressive regimes.
Mr. Pilkington
- The easy-going farmer of Foxwood, a rival to Mr. Frederick.
- Represents capitalist governments like those of the United States and England.
Mr. Whymper
- A human solicitor engaged by Napoleon to create relationships with the outside world.
- His presence signifies the troubling contacts between Animal Farm and human society.
Jessie and Bluebell
- Two dogs who have puppies early in the story, which Napoleon appropriates for his secretive training.
Minimus
- The poet pig who composes poetry in honor of Napoleon, reflects on the regime’s propaganda.
- Writes a nationalistic song that replaces the initial hopeful anthem "Beasts of England."