Animal Farm
NOTES
AUTHOR
GEORGE ORWELL
• Biography of George Orwell (1903-1950)
• George Orwell was born Eric Blair
on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, India.
 The Blairs moved back to England
in 1904 so that the children could be
brought up in a more traditional
Christian environment.


Blair attended Eton college
which usually led directly to
higher education at a
university, often Oxford or
Cambridge.
Blair shunned further formal
schooling, and after leaving
Eton in 1921, returned to India
in 1922 to join the Indian
Imperial Police. Blair resigned
from the police force in 1927,
returning to England.


In 1928, Blair moved to Paris to
become a writer, where he again
lived among the poor, and was
eventually forced to abandon his
writing and become a
dishwasher.
He returned to England the next
year finding work as a teacher
at a private school. This position
gave Blair time to write.


Attracted by the vision of a
society without class
distinction, Orwell fought for
socialism in Spain, but was
wounded in the neck and
forced to return to England in
1938.
Upon his return to England,
Orwell fell ill with
tuberculosis, which he
neglected.


In 1941, Orwell went to work
for the BBC as a broadcaster
for India, a post which he
resigned to become the
literary editor for The London
Tribune.
This position was equally
short-lived however, as Orwell
resigned in 1945 to begin work
on ANIMAL FARM.



ANIMAL FARM was published,
and Orwell became "famous
overnight".
In reaction to the sudden fame,
Orwell moved to the island of
Jura, off the coast of Scotland,
which aggravated his
tuberculosis considerably.
While at Jura, Orwell wrote his
last novel and perhaps most
famous novel, 1984.


In 1949 Orwell returned to
England, but his
tuberculosis was by that
time painfully advanced.
He eventually succumbed to
the disease, dying on
January 21, 1950.
George Orwell
1903-1950
CONTEXT
Animal Farm, written in 1945, attacks the
idea of totalitarian communism (a
political system in which one ruling party
plans and controls the collective social
action of a state) by painting a terrifying
picture of a world in which personal
freedom does not exist .
A “fairy story” in the style of Aesop’s
fables, it uses animals on an English farm
to tell the history of Soviet communism.
Certain animals are based directly on
Communist Party leaders: the pigs
Napoleon and Snowball, for example,
are figurations of Joseph Stalin and
Leon Trotsky, respectively.
To better understand these, it is helpful
to know at least the basics of Soviet
history under Communist Party rule,
beginning with the October Revolution of
1917.
In February 1917, Czar Nicholas II,
the monarch of Russia. At the end of
October Vladimir Lenin, the architect
of the Russian Revolution, became chief
commissar.
Almost immediately, Lenin’s chief allies
began jockeying for power in the newly
formed state; the most influential
included Joseph Stalin, and Leon
Trotsky,
Trotsky was a popular and
charismatic leader, famous for his
impassioned speeches.
Stalin preferred to build his power
behind the scenes.
After Lenin’s death in 1924, Stalin
orchestrated an alliance against
Trotsky.
In the following years, Stalin
succeeded in becoming the
unquestioned dictator of the Soviet
Union and had Trotsky expelled
first from Moscow, then from the
Communist Party, and finally from
Russia altogether in 1936. Trotsky
fled to Mexico, where he was
assassinated on Stalin’s orders in
1940.
Historical Context
Russian society in the early twentieth
century was made up of two groups: a
tiny minority controlled most of the
country’s wealth, while the vast majority
of the country’s residents were poor and
oppressed peasants. Communism arose in
Russia when the nation’s workers and
peasants, assisted by a class of concerned
intellectuals known as the Intelligentsia,
rebelled against and overwhelmed the
wealthy and powerful class of capitalists
and aristocrats.
They hoped to establish a socialist utopia
based on the principles of the German
economic and political philosopher Karl
Marx.
In Das Kapital (Capital), Karl Marx
put forth an economically based
interpretation of human history, arguing that
society would naturally evolve—from a
monarchy and aristocracy, to capitalism, and
then on to communism, a system under
which all property would be held in common
for all people .
The dignity of the poor workers
oppressed by capitalism would be
restored, and all people would live
as equals. Marx followed this work
with The Communist Manifesto, a
call to action that urged, “Workers
of the world, unite!”
The new regime took land and
industry from private control and
put them under government
supervision. This centralization of
economic systems constituted the
first steps in restoring Russia to
the prosperity it had known before
World War I and in modernizing
the nation’s primitive
infrastructure, including bringing
electricity to the countryside.
After Lenin died in 1924, Joseph
Stalin and Leon Trotsky jockeyed
for control of the newly formed Soviet
Union. Stalin, a crafty politician,
soon banished Trotsky, an idealistic
supporter of international
communism. Stalin then began to
consolidate his power with brutal
intensity, killing or imprisoning his
political enemies and overseeing the
removal of approximately twenty
million Soviet citizens.
Character Profiles
Mr. Jones: Mr. Jones is Orwell's chief
(or at least most obvious) villain in
Animal Farm. Orwell says that at one
time Jones was actually a decent master
to his animals. At this time the farm was
thriving. But in recent years the farm had
fallen on harder times (symbol of the
world-wide Great Depression of the 30's)
and the opportunity was seen to revolt.
Mr. Jones symbolizes (in addition to
the evils of capitalism) Czar Nicholas II,
the leader before Stalin . Jones
represents the old government, the last
of the Czars.
Orwell suggests that Jones (Czar
Nicholas II) was losing his "edge." In
fact, he and his men had taken up the
habit of drinking.
Old Major: Old Major is the first
major character described by Orwell in
Animal Farm. This "purebred" of pigs
is the kind, grand fatherly philosopher—
an obvious metaphor for Karl
Marx. Old Major proposes a solution
to the animals' desperate plight under
the Jones "administration" when he
inspires a rebellion of sorts among the
animals.
Napoleon: Napoleon is Orwell's
chief villain in Animal Farm. The name
Napoleon is very deliberate since
Napoleon, the dictator of France, was
thought by many to be the AntiChrist. Napoleon, the pig, is really the
central character on the farm. Obviously
a metaphor for Stalin, Napoleon
represents the human flaws of any
revolution.
Although Napoleon seems at
first to be a good leader, he is
eventually overcome by greed
and soon becomes powerhungry. Of course Stalin did
this in Russia, leaving the
original equality of socialism
behind, giving himself all the
power and living in luxury while
the common people suffered.
Snowball: Orwell describes
Snowball as a pig very similar to
Napoleon— at least in the early
stages. Both pigs wanted a
leadership position in the "new"
economic and political system But
as time goes on, both eventually
realize that one of them will have to
step down.
Soon the differences become too
great to deal with, so Napoleon
decides that Snowball must be
eliminated.
Snowball represents Trotsky,
the archrival of Stalin in
Russia. The parallels between
Trotsky and Snowball are
uncanny.
Trotsky too, was exiled, not from
the farm, but to Mexico, where he
spoke out against Stalin. Stalin
was very weary of Trotsky, and
feared that Trotsky supporters
might try to assassinate him.
Trotsky was murdered in Mexico by
the Russian internal police,the KGB.
Trotsky was found with a pick axe in
his head at his villa in Mexico.
Moses:
Moses is perhaps Orwell's
most intriguing character in Animal
Farm. This raven, first described as the
"especial pet" of Mr. Jones, is the only
animal who doesn't work. He's also the
only character who doesn't listen to Old
Major's speech of rebellion.
He claimed to know of the existence of a
mysterious country called Sugar candy
Mountain, to which all animals went when
they died. It was situated somewhere up in
the sky, a little distance beyond the clouds.
Moses represents Orwell's view of
the Church. To Orwell, the Church
is just used as a tool by dictatorships
to keep the working class of people
hopeful and productive. Orwell uses
Moses to criticize Marx's belief that
the Church will just go away after
the rebellion.
Orwell seems to offer a very cynical
and harsh view of the Church.
Boxer: The name Boxer is cleverly used
by Orwell as a metaphor for the Boxer
Rebellion in China in the early twentieth
century. It was this rebellion that
signaled the beginning of communism in
red China.
Boxer is used by Orwell to represent the
proletariat, or unskilled labor class in
Russian society. This lower class is
naturally drawn to Stalin (Napoleon)
because it seems as though they will
benefit most from his new system.
Squealer: He is first described as a
manipulator and persuader. Squealer is
a metaphor of Pravda, the Russian
newspaper of the 1930's. The newspaper
was used as a propaganda tool to spread
the “good news” about the revolution.
In Animal Farm, Squealer, like the
newspaper, is the link between Napoleon
and other animals.
Mollie: Mollie is one of Orwell's minor
characters, but she represents something
very important. Mollie is the animal who
is most opposed to the new government
under Napoleon. She doesn't care
much about the politics of the whole
situation; she just wants to tie her hair
with ribbons and eat sugar, things her
social status won't allow.
Mollie characterizes the typical middleclass skilled worker who suffers from this
new communism concept.
Benjamin: Old Benjamin, an elderly
donkey, is one of Orwell's most intriguing
characters on Animal Farm. He is
described as rather unchanged since the
rebellion. He still does his work the same
way, never becoming too exited or too
disappointed about anything that has
passed. Benjamin symbolizes the older
generation, the critics of any new rebellion.
Benjamin is the only animal who
seems as though he couldn't care less
about Napoleon and Animal Farm. It's
almost as if he can see into the future,
knowing that the revolt is only a
temporary change, and will flop in the
end.
Benjamin is the only animal who
doesn't seem to have expected anything
positive from the revolution. He is not
sucked in by Napoleon's propaganda
like the others.
Muriel: Muriel is a knowledgeable
goat who reads the commandments for
Clover. Muriel represents the minority of
working class people who are educated
enough to decide things for themselves
and find problems with their leaders.
Unfortunately for the other animals,
Muriel is not charismatic or inspired
enough to take action and oppose
Napoleon and the pigs.
Pigs: Orwell uses the pigs to surround
and support Napoleon. They symbolize
the communist party loyalists and the
friends of Stalin. The pigs, unlike other
animals, live in luxury and enjoy the
benefits of the society they help control.
The inequality and true hypocrisy of
communism is expressed here by Orwell,
who criticized Marx's view of a socialist,
"utopian" society. Obviously Orwell
doesn't believe such a society can exist.
Dogs: Orwell uses the dogs in his
book, Animal Farm, to represent the
KGB or perhaps more accurately, the
bodyguards of Stalin. The dogs are the
arch-defenders of Napoleon and the
pigs, and although they don't speak,
they are definitely a force the other
animals have to contend with. Orwell
describes the dogs as mindless robots,
so dedicated to Napoleon that they can't
really speak for themselves.
Mr. Frederick: The theme of the
gun and flag rituals performed by the
animals at the urging of Napoleon is
strengthened through Orwell's
description of Mr. Frederick, the
neighbor of Animal Farm. Frederick,
through the course of the book,
becomes an enemy and then a friend
and then an enemy again to
Napoleon, who makes many secret
deals and treaties with him.
Mr.Pilkington: Orwell uses
Pilkington, another neighbor of Animal
Farm, as a metaphor for the Allies of
World War II (excluding, of course
Russia). Like the Soviet Union before
World War II, Animal Farm wasn't sure
who their allies would be. But after
losing the relationship with Frederick
(Germany), Napoleon (Stalin) decides
to befriend Pilkington, and ally with
him.
Pigeons: The pigeons symbolize
Soviet propaganda, not to Russia, but
to other countries, like Germany,
England, France, and even the United
States. Russia had created an iron
curtain even before WWII. The
Communist government raved about
its achievements and its advanced
technology, but it never allowed
experts or scientists from outside the
country to check on its validity.
METAPHOR ANALYSIS
Farmhouse: The Jones'
farmhouse represents in many ways
the very place where greed and lust
dominate. Unlike the barn, which is
the fortress of the common man, the
genuine concept of socialism, the
farmhouse, where Napoleon and the
pigs take over, symbolizes the
Kremlin.
Animalism: The vague yet often
referred to concept of animalism is
used by Orwell to signify the generic
view of socialism. This view was first
expounded by Karl Marx (old Major),
who, in Orwell's opinion was naive in
thinking that his philosophy would
actually work. Orwell, was critical of
Marx because he didn't take into
account the greed and jealousy which
would eventually undermine the entire
cause.
Gun/Flag: Probably the most
profound metaphor in Orwell's
Animal Farm is the idea of the gun
and flag. The nationalism the
animals' feel is demonstrated through
their daily processions and rituals
where they practically worship the
flag (their institution of the state and
obviously not God).
The gun represents the triumphant yet
violence-ridden overthrow of Mr.
Jones. Again, opposing Marx's ideal
that rebellion is to be accomplish
through honesty, innocence, and
passive determination, Napoleon and
even Snowball rise to power
prematurely by using death and
destruction.
Thus they prove themselves no better
than Jones and the previous
administration.
The fact that Napoleon
outlaws Beasts of England
demonstrates the formal power of the
state. No longer is socialism just a
generic belief in equality made by
everyday common animals, but now it
is a money-hungry powerhouse of
oppression run by the government.
Battle of Cowshed: The Battle of
Cowshed is a clear metaphor for the overthrow
of the old Russian government based on czars
(Mr. Jones). In Russia, this change took the
Soviet Union out of World War I and eventually
led to the rise of Lenin and Stalin. The violence
used in the battle, however was not condoned
by Marx (old Major) or Orwell, who both
believed in pacifism. Snowball and Napoleon,
though, were too greedy and were required to
use force in order to establish their corrupt
government.
Sugarcandy Mountain: Orwell
uses Sugarcandy Mountain to
symbolize the Christian concept of
Heaven. The Church is criticized in
Animal Farm because it is the
institution that inspires the animals to
work using "lies" and manipulation.
Ribbons & Sugar: Orwell's use
of ribbons and sugar symbolizes
the luxuries of life enjoyed by the
old middle class under the old
government. Mollie, the symbol for
the capitalist, is particularly fond
of ribbons and sugar - so much so
that she leaves the farm for them.
Milk: Orwell uses milk to represent
the care and love that mothers give to
their children. When Napoleon takes
the milk for himself and the other pigs,
he is, in essence, stealing the very
core of the people. Now he can raise
the children (other farm animals) as a
tool of the state. No longer is the
power in the family; now the
cornerstone of civilization is in the
totalitarian government of Napoleon
(Stalin).
Alcohol: Orwell uses alcohol to
represent the "Old" Russia. He first
notes that the reason Jones lost
control of the farm and began being
cruel to the animals was because of
alcohol. It symbolizes, more than
anything, a corrupt government— a
government drunk on prosperity (a
prosperity which never trickles down
to the common animal).
Windmill:
The windmill is used by
Orwell to symbolize Soviet industry. In the
book, the windmill was destroyed several
times before it finally was complete. This
represents the trials the communists in
Russia went through to establish their
arms - production industry. Eventually,
however, Russian industry did stabilize,
despite the lack of safety precautions and
trivial concern for the people's well being.
The average middle-class worker received
no special treatment and was treated as a
"person of the state."
SONGS: Animal Farm is filled with
songs, poems, and slogans,
including Major’s stirring “Beasts of
England,” Minimus’s ode to
Napoleon, the sheep’s chants, and
Minimus’s revised anthem, “Animal
Farm, Animal Farm.” All of these
songs serve as propaganda.
By making the working-class animals
speak the same words at the same
time, the pigs evoke an atmosphere
of grandeur and nobility associated
with the recited text’s subject matter.
The songs also erode the animals’
sense of individuality and keep them
focused on the tasks by which they
will achieve freedom.