Napoleon
Through out the story, Napoleon was a selfish and greedy pig, from stealing the cow's milk in the beginning of the story to the end when he finally took away the animal's freedom.
Napoleon used brute forces and lies to get what he wanted, killing the innocents and those that were royal to him. He changed the Seven Commandments for his own needs and his hunger for power made him drove out his competitor: Snowball, and ruled Animal farm to the very end. "Gentlemen, I will give you the same toast as before, but in a different form. Fill your glasses to the brim. Gentlemen, here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! " - Napoleon Chapter 10
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Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1929 to his death, he was a Russian revolutionist and participated in the in the Russian Revolution. Much like Napoleon, he was a brutal leader who wanted power and total control over Russia. He took away the Bolshevik's leadership and ruled the country as a dictator. in fear that Trotsky might be a competition, he exiled him and later send an assassin to kill him. He lived a lavish life, with plenty of food while his peasants starved. He changed his reputation by controlling the media and made himself the savior of Russia while spreading lies about Trotsky.
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything" -Joseph Stalin
Snowball
Snowball is an intelligent and brave pig, who focused on Old Major's teachings the most through out the book. He introduced literature and taught many animals how to read. As an idealist, Snowball made a windmill plan for benefit of all the animals. His use of pigeons spread the news of a rebellion across London and inspired many farms. His understanding of strategy and bravery led to the victory in the Battle of Cowshed. However his intelligent led to his downfall and his reputation is forever ruined by Napoleon's lies and Squealer's sweet talk, and thought as a villain until the very end.
"Now, comrades, to the hay field! Let us make it a point of honor to get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do!" -Snowball Chapter 2
"Now, comrades, to the hay field! Let us make it a point of honor to get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do!" -Snowball Chapter 2
Leon Trotsky
Leon Trotsky was the second-in-command for Vladimir Lenin at the time, and helped the Russian Revolution. He was the first leader of the Red Army who fought against the White Army after the Russian Revolution, which helped the Bolsheviks continue their leadership. After the Russian Revolution, Trotsky wanted to spread the news of the revolution to other countries, completely going against Stalin's ideas. After criticizing Stalin's plans, he was kicked out from the Communist party and later on, he was exiled from Russia. He stayed in Mexico, where he continued to write and criticize Stalin's plans. Finally, Stalin send an assassin and he killed Trotsky with an ice pick.
"Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies" -Leon Trotsky |
The Pigs and the Bolsheviks
After the farm's rebellion against succeeded, the farm was under the pig's control (mainly Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer), because they were the most intelligent animals in the farm. Through out the story, the pigs were usually the ones that are in commandment, while all the animals did hard physical work. Napoleon gave the pigs unfair advantages that allowed them to do things that no other animals can. They were able to wear ribbons, eat apples, drink milk, and education their children in school. While the other animals worked day and night for the benefit of the pigs.
The situation with the pigs in Animal Farm is very similar to the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution. After the revolution, the Bolsheviks took control over Russia after being voted in the Communist party of Russia. They gain a lot of benefits and did less physical work than the lower classes, being the brains and the government of Russia.
Mr. Jones, Czar Nicholas II and the White ArmySince the novel is a metaphor for the history of the Soviet Union, Czar Nicolas II is represented by Mr. Jones. They both share the similarity of being the leader (Mr. Jones being the leader of the Manor Farm, and Czar Nicolas II being the leader of Russia), and they both were overthrown by a rebellion.
In the beginning, the story talks about Mr. Jones being the lazy and drunk farmer, who only benefits from the animals. He would be living comfortably in his farm while the animals were only given the amount of food they need so they won't starve. Similarly, before the Russian Revolution, Czar was living in luxury, while the lower class workers would starve and barely survive. Just like how the story Mr. Jones is a metaphor for clumsiness, laziness. In actual history, Czar was never intended to be crowned, and never had any training. They both treated their roles carelessly, and caused rebellions which led to their downfalls. White Army and Mr. Jones After the Russian Revolution, the White Army rose against the Bolsheviks. The army was consist of motley crew of landowners, middle-class citizens, monarchists, old army generals, US and UK allies. The Army fought against the Red Army, which was set up by Leon Trotsky. The White army was finally defeated in 1921 and lost against the Bolsheviks. Mr. Jones fought against the animals with his allies after the animals claimed the farm as their own. He gathered his allies: Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick (forming the White Army) and fought a war against Animal Farm(Red Army). He lost against the animals, led by Snowball(Trotsky) and retreated. |
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Squealer
Squealer acts like Napoleon's right hand in the story, obeying his every command and helped him keep the animals under control. The pig Squealer is a perfect representation of propaganda in Joseph Stalin's time. Much like Napoleon, Joseph used propaganda to spread false rumors about Trotsky and his success. He made propaganda that showed himself with happy children, making the audience believe that he is a great leader. Propaganda is used by the government to spread messages to their audience. The messages in the propaganda is to produce an emotional response from the audience, rather than informing them. Squealer in Animal Farm was no better. He used the saying "What happens if Jones comes back?" to trigger an emotion factor in animals. All the animals didn't want Jones back, no matter how bad Napoleon treated them, they were convinced that he was better than Jones.