Animal Farm

Facts: Written by George Orwell, it is 114 pages. It was published in 1945.

Synopsis: Examines the growth of tyranny and criticizes mankind by perverting the nature of the pigs into becoming more like humans. The animals make excuses to remain in tyranny and the pigs makes excuses to remain in power. A good idea is corrupted, then perverted, to advance the ambitions of Napoleon. Old ideals are abandoned, like the anthem Beasts of England, or the worshiping of Major’s skull, and referring to each other as comrade.. Animals represent different aspects of what goes into promoting a tyranny even to the cat (who does not get a name) checking out of the situation and the raven, Moses, who comes and goes with stories of Rockcandy Mountain.

“All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.” - George Orwell, Animal Farm

Major: A pig at the beginning of the novel. He has a dream and makes a proclamation. He develops the principle of Animalism that is later reduce to 7 Commandments. He dies shortly after. His skull is hung on a post in honor, but it forgotten by the end of the book.

“Man is the only real enemy we have.” - Major, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Snowball: A clever pig who designs a windmill. He is chased off by a pack of dogs. He is used as a scapegoat for anything that goes wrong on the farm and he becomes the Animal Farm boogeyman. Designer of the windmill.

“Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than ribbons?” - Snowball, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Napoleon: A pig, one of two pigs that create policy and government. He grows increasingly dictatorial until he has become indestinguishable from humans. He takes all the credit. Like claiming he had always approved of the windmill. He takes none of the responsibility for failure instead blaming it on others, especially Snowball. He breaks every commandment, defies his own laws when convenient, and abolishes freedom by the end.

“To the prosperity of The Manor Farm!” - Napoleon, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Squealer: A pig. His speeches are charismatic and he is Napoleon’s chief propogandist. He confuses the other animals with double speak and threaten’s them with the return of the farmer’s old human owner. He also controls the optics of Napoleon’s regime with charts and numbers.

“Loyalty and obedience are more important.” - Squealer, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Boxer: A strong horse. He is a loyal, hard worker who believes in Major’s dream. To this end, he proclaims Napoleon never wrong to his detriment. By the end he is shipped off to a glue factory and is never heard from again.

“I will work harder.” - Boxer, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Millie: A preening female horse that like’s ribbon. She defects to live as a domesticated horse and is never heard from again.

“It isn’t true!” - Mollie, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Mr. Pilkington: A human who makes an alliance with Napoleon. By the end he returns to Animal Farm with his fellows to inspect the place and applauds Napoleon for his modernization and efficiency.

“Not only the most up-to-date methods, but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere.” - Excerpt about Mr. Pilkinton, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Clover: A female horse. She lives out her days on the farm and eventually sees the pigs become human.

“Are the Seven Commandments the same as they used to be, Benjamin?” - Clover, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Benjamin: A donkey. He refuses to speak and claims he has seen a lot in his long life. He is churlish, and is only moved to action to try to save Boxer. It fails and he becomes even more sullen and quiet. He also lives out the rest of his days on the farm.

“Donkeys live a long time. None of you have ever seen a dead donkey.” - Benjamin, George Orwell, Animal Farm

The Sheep: They are used to promote propaganda. For most of the book the are used to repeat the mantra “Four legs good, two legs bad.” but by the end they have changed it under the guidance of Squealer.

“Four legs good, two legs better.” - Sheep, George Orwell, Animal Farm

Mr. Jones: The original owner of the Manor Farm. He is chased away and has no real further interaction with the story.