As horses are known for their strength, donkeys are known for their stubbornness, and Benjamin stubbornly refuses to become enthusiastic about the rebellion. While all of his comrades delight in the prospect of a new, animal-governed world, Benjamin only remarks, “Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever […]
Read more Character Analysis BenjaminCharacter Analysis Mollie
Unlike Boxer, who always thinks of others, Mollie is a shallow materialist who cares nothing for the struggles of her fellow animals. Her first appearance in the novel suggests her personality when she enters the meeting at the last moment, chewing sugar and sitting in the front so that the […]
Read more Character Analysis MollieCharacter Analysis Boxer
Horses are universally prized for their strength, and Boxer is no exception: Standing almost six-feet tall, Boxer is a devoted citizen of the farm whose incredible strength is a great asset to the rebellion and the farm. As soon as he learns about Animalism, Boxer throws himself into the rebellion’s […]
Read more Character Analysis BoxerCharacter Analysis Squealer
Every tyrant has his sycophants, and Napoleon has one in Squealer, a clever pig who (as the animals say) “could turn black into white.” Throughout the novel, he serves as Napoleon’s mouthpiece and Minister of Propaganda. Every time an act of Napoleon’s is questioned by the other animals — regardless […]
Read more Character Analysis SquealerCharacter Analysis Napoleon
While Jones’ tyranny can be somewhat excused due to the fact that he is a dull-witted drunkard, Napoleon’s can only be ascribed to his blatant lust for power. The very first description of Napoleon presents him as a “fierce-looking” boar “with a reputation for getting his own way.” Throughout the […]
Read more Character Analysis NapoleonCharacter Analysis Snowball
Snowball is the animal most clearly attuned to old Major’s thinking, and he devotes himself to bettering the animals in intellectual, moral, and physical ways. He brings literacy to the farm so that the animals can better grasp the principles of Animalism by reading the Seven Commandments he paints on […]
Read more Character Analysis SnowballCharacter Analysis Old Major
A wise and persuasive pig, old Major inspires the rebellion with his rhetorical skill and ability to get the other animals to share his indignation. When he announces that he wishes to share the contents of his strange dream with his companions, all the animals comply, demonstrating the great respect […]
Read more Character Analysis Old MajorSummary and Analysis Chapter 10
Summary Years pass, and Animal Farm undergoes its final changes. Muriel, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher are all dead, and Jones dies in an inebriates’ home. Clover is now 14 years old (two years past the retiring age) but has not retired. (No animal ever has.) There are more animals on […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Chapter 9
Summary After celebrating their so-called victory against Frederick, the animals begin building a new windmill. Their efforts are again led by Boxer who, despite his split hoof, insists on working harder and getting the windmill started before he retires. Food supplies continue to diminish, but Squealer explains that they actually […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 9Summary and Analysis Chapter 8
Summary The following year brings more work on the windmill and less food for the workers, despite Squealer’s lists of figures supposedly proving that food production has increased dramatically under Napoleon’s rule. As Napoleon grows more powerful, he is seen in public less often. The general opinion of him is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 8