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who does each animal represent in animal farm ?

**Title: Who Do the Animals of *Animal Farm* Represent? A Symbolist Breakdown**

George Orwell’s *Animal Farm* is perhaps one of the most enduring allegories of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Published in 1945, the novella uses anthropomorphic animals to critique totalitarianism, power, and corruption. By decoding the symbolism behind each character, readers see Orwell’s sharp commentary on real historical figures and events. Let’s unravel who each character represents and why they matter to the story’s political message.

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### **The Characters of *Animal Farm* Unmasked**

#### **Old Major**
– **Symbolism**: **Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin**
– **Why**: Old Major is the inspiration behind the革命. His speech to the animals mirrors Marx’s philosophies in *The Communist Manifesto* and Lenin’s role in galvanizing the Russian populace. He articulates the principles of “Animalism,” akin to Marx’s socialist ideals, and dies before the革命, just as Marx died before the 1917 October Revolution, leaving Lenin to lead it.

#### **Mr. Jones**
– **Symbolism**: **Tsar Nicholas II**
– **Why**: As the lazy, drunken farmer, Jones represents the oppressive Tsar. His overthrow symbolizes the 1917 Russian Revolution, after which the animals (the people) take control. His eventual failure to reclaim the farm mirrors the Tsar’s fall from power.

#### **Napoleon**
– **Symbolism**: **Joseph Stalin**
– **Why**: The power-hungry pig’s rise to sole leader mirrors Stalin’s ruthless consolidation of power after Lenin’s death. Napoleon’s use of fear tactics (his attack dogs = the secret police) and manipulation of rhetoric (Squealer’s propaganda) reflect Stalin’s purges, espionage, and censorship. His eventual resemblance to humans highlights how revolutionaries often become the same oppressors they overthrew.

#### **Snowball**
– **Symbolism**: **Leon Trotsky**
– **Why**: Intelligent and idealistic, Snowball is expelled by Napoleon—a direct parallel to Trotsky’s exile after Stalin cemented his rule. Snowball’s ideas for the Windmill initially align with the Bolsheviks’ progressive plans but are ultimately sidelined by Stalin/ Napoleon’s paranoia.

#### **Squealer**
– **Symbolism**: **The Soviet Media/Propaganda Machine**
– **Why**: Squealer’s masterful manipulation of language (“Reality Control”) mirrors the propaganda used by the Soviet government. Examples include rewriting the commandments and blaming failures on Snowball to divert dissent.

#### **Boxer**
– **Symbolism**: **The Working Class (Proletariat)**
– **Why**: Boxer’s mantra, “Napoleon is always right,” embodies the working class’s blind loyalty. His betrayal—sold to the knacker when injured—symbolizes how the proletariat were exploited and discarded even as leaders claimed to serve them.

#### **The Dogs**
– **Symbolism**: **The Soviet Secret Police (Cheka/GPU/NKVD/GPU/KGB)**
– **Why**: Napoleon’s dogs attack and eliminate dissenters, executing rebellious animals. This mirrors Stalin’s purges, where the secret police eliminated rivals and perceived enemies.

#### **The Sheep**
– **Symbolism**: **The Masses (The Public)**
– **Why**: The sheep mindlessly bleat slogans like “Four legs good, two legs bad,” illustrating how the populace is conditioned to support power. Their gullibility parallels the brainwashing of citizens under totalitarian regimes.

#### **Mollie**
– **Symbolism**: **The Bourgeoisie (Upper Classes Who Fled)**
– **Why**: Mollie’s abandonment of the farm for luxuries (sugar and ribbons) symbolizes the Russian elite who fled during the Revolution, seeking comfort over ideological commitment.

#### **The Hens**
– **Symbolism**: **The Peasants and Farmers**
– **Why**: Their rebellion against Napoleon’s food requisitions mirrors peasant uprisings, crushed ruthlessly—highlighting the regime’s exploitation of farmers and the military’s brutality.

#### **The Cat**
– **Symbolism**: **The Cossacks or Apathetic Elites**
– **Why**: The cat avoids work and later disappears during turmoil, representing Soviet-era apolitical or corrupt individuals who avoided conflict until it was advantageous—a critique of opportunism.

#### **The Rats and Bats**
– **Symbolism**: **The Counter-Revolutionaries**
– **Why**: The animals that remain neutral or resist the革命 symbolize those who opposed the Soviet regime, often facing repression or exile.

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### **Key Allegorical Elements to Note**
– **Manor Farm (Animal Farm):** Represents Bolshevik Russia and the USSR, isolated and monitored by neighboring states (Mr. Pilkington, representing the Western nations like Britain or the West’s skepticism of Communism).
– **The Windmill:** Stands for Stalin’s failed **Five-Year Plans**, which were marketed as progress but ended in wasted effort and suffering.
– **The “Seven Commandments”:** The rules that gradually get revised to serve Napoleon, parodying the USSR’s revisionist policies under Stalin’s rule.

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### **Why It Matters: Orwell’s Unflinching Critique**
Orwell crafted *Animal Farm* to expose the corruption of revolutionary ideals. By the story’s end, the pigs mimic the human farmers, proving that **power corrupts absolutely**. Each character’s trajectory—from idealist to oppressor—underscores Orwell’s warning against authoritarianism and the dangers of blind faith in leaders.

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### **Final Thoughts: A Mirror Held to Power**
Animal Farm isn’t just a children’s fable about talking pigs and horses—it’s a scathing critique of how revolutions can become corrupted by those they entrust with power. By dissecting its characters, Orwell forces readers to reflect on their susceptibility to manipulation and the cyclical nature of tyranny.

**Remember**, when analyzing the novel, always question: *Who profits from the system*? The answer, as seen in Animal Farm, is often those at the top—no matter how noble their initial cause.

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*Want to delve deeper? Download our free *Animal Farm Study Guide* to explore themes of power, propaganda, and symbolism further. Share your thoughts—**what character’s symbolism impacted you most?***

**Further Reading Links**
– [Animal Farm Context Worksheet](https://blog.yourfavouriteteacher.com)
– [Symbols and Themes Breakdown](https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/animalfarm/symbols/)

Let me know your take in the comments! 💬

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**Disclaimer**: This analysis simplifies complex historical figures for clarity. For nuanced readings, dive into primary sources on the Russian Revolution and Stalin’s purges.

*Stay informed, stay critical.* 🐷🚜