Questions and Answers
Who is based on Joseph Stalin in Animal Farm?
Who challenges Napoleon for control after the Rebellion?
Snowball
What are Boxer's two mottoes?
What does Squealer do?
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Old Major dies shortly after inspiring the Rebellion.
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What animal represents the petit bourgeoisie that fled from Russia?
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Who is described as a tough and shrewd operator?
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What role does Muriel have in Animal Farm?
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Benjamin believes life will improve no matter who is in charge.
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What does Jessie and Bluebell's puppies represent in the book?
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Who is Minimus?
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Study Notes
Character Analysis of Animal Farm
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Muriel
- A white goat who assists Clover by reading the Seven Commandments during her doubts about the pigs' conduct.
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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.
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Mr. Frederick
- A tough and cunning neighboring farmer representing Adolf Hitler.
- Known for being deceitful, he embodies the treachery associated with oppressive regimes.
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Mr. Pilkington
- The easy-going farmer of Foxwood, a rival to Mr. Frederick.
- Represents capitalist governments like those of the United States and England.
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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.
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Jessie and Bluebell
- Two dogs who have puppies early in the story, which Napoleon appropriates for his secretive training.
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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."
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Description
Learn about the key characters in George Orwell's Animal Farm, including Napoleon and Snowball, and their roles in the Rebellion.
