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Symbolism/Interpretation
When Orwell published Animal Farm in 1945, a popular belief held that the
Soviet Union was an honorable nation. Orwell hoped to write a novel that
exposed the murderous truth of the Soviet System; he employed allegory to
show a truth that remained unclear to many.
As an allegory on early 20th Century Russia, ANIMAL FARM introduces its
audience to a wide array of characters--each serving as a symbol.
The table below provides a list of fictional characters, events, and items from the
film ANIMAL FARM, and the real-life counterparts they appear to represent.
Consider how each character could also be interpreted to have a larger, broader
meaning.
Farmer Jones : The farmer stands for the Russian Czar Nicolas II who was
forced to abdicate after the successful February Revolution. In addition, Mr.
Jones symbolizes the evils of capitalism, and the moral decline of men under this
type of society.
Humans: The humans stand for the capitalists, who exploit the weak. The
gradual transformation of the pigs into human-like creatures represents the
process by which the revolution's leaders became corrupted. Whether capitalist
or communist in name, the underlying reality of many political systems is tyranny.
Old Major : Many believe Orwell made Old Major a symbol for Karl Marx, the
father of the Communist belief system. Both Old Major and Karl Marx serve as
the founders of a revolutionary creed, and both die before the revolutionary
events they predict.
Snowball: Snowball represents Leon Trotsky. Like Trotsky, Snowball is a smart,
young speaker who dreams of making life better for all animals. One of the early
leaders of the "October Revolution", Trotsky was banished from the Soviet
Union. While abroad, he was repeatedly denounced as a traitor by his native
country, and wild lies were invented to discredit him. Trotsky was eventually
killed in Mexico by the Russian internal police.
Napoleon: Not as clever as Snowball, Napoleon is also cruel, selfish and
corrupt. Napoleon is most clearly representative of Joseph Stalin, who, like
Napoleon, ruled with an iron fist and killed all those who opposed him. On a
deeper level, he represents the human weaknesses which eventually undermine
even the best political intentions. In much the same way that Napoleon used the
dogs - and Squealer - to control animals, Stalin used the KGB and cleverly
worded lies (called "propaganda") to control his people.
Squealer: This pig is an extremely persuasive speaker. Squealer convinces all
animals to follow the revolution; "he could turn black into white." Squealer is
believed to represent Stalin's propaganda machine. Many identify Squealer with
Pravda, the Russian newspaper of the 1930's.
Pigs: Orwell has chosen the pigs to represent the Communist Party loyalists. In
the early years of the revolution they were concerned with the welfare of the
common workers; as time passed, however, they began to take advantage of
their role as leaders. By film's end, the ideals of the revolution have been
sacrificed, and the pigs are indistinguishable from the farm's original masters.
Dogs: The dogs constitute the pigs' private army; the pigs used the dogs to
maintain a climate of terror which silenced all opposition to their rule. The dogs
remain completely loyal to Napoleon throughout the novel, much in the way that
the KGB faithfully supported Lenin and Stalin.
Boxer and Clover: These strong, hard-working horses live by the words "I must
work harder." Boxer and Clover represent the dedicated "proletariat," Karl Marx's
term for the unskilled labor class. They are drawn to the rebellion because they
think they will benefit most from its promises. It was the proletariat in Russian
society who remained loyal to Stalin as they built up the Soviet Industrial
machine. Eventually, they are betrayed by Stalin and the Communist party.
Moses: Whose name is reference to the prominent Biblical figure, is a symbol for
religion and represents Orwell's view of the Church. Though Snowball and
Napoleon oppose Moses' ideas, he is allowed to remain on the farm because he
encourages hard work and submissive behavior.
"Beasts of England": This song--which becomes the official creed of the
animals' revolution--represents the "Communist Internationale," a real song
penned by supporters of communism in the early 1900's.
Windmill: The windmill stands for Russian industry. Soviet leaders focused on
making Russia industrially modern after the Revolution of 1917. Joseph Stalin, in
particular, drew up several "Five Year Plans," which plotted the tremendous
growth of Russia's railroads, factories, coal and metal mines.
Contemporary Connection: In the original novel, Orwell ends the story with the
pigs' ultimate ascension. The TNT version flashes us forward to a world after the
pigs' fall. How does the film update Orwell's allegory? Research the history of
Russia and Eastern Europe over the past 20 years. Who might Jessie represent?