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?
back to top
