Animal Farm
Characters
Themes
Allusions to Russia
Significant Events
Main
Minor
Snowball
Napoleon
Mollie
Muriel
Benjamin
Clover
Boxer
Mr Jones
Old Major
Humans
Squealer
Mr Whymper
Human Farmers
Mr Pilkington
Hens
Dogs
Confessees
Two Hens
Two Young Pigs
Bull
Control
Propaganda
Power
Betrayal
Corruption
Of the System
Of the People
Outcomes
Characters
Joseph Stalin
Tsar Nicholas II
Leon Trotsky
Proletariat
Karl Marx
Russian Propagandists
Rest of the World
Humans
Secret Police
Dogs
Snowball
Napoleon
Mr Jones
Animals
Squealer
Old Major
Autocracy, complete control over populace
Subservient population, worse off than ever before
Corruption of Communist ideals, appearance of the "new bourgeoise"
Instill fear
Executioners
Protested changes, later martyred
Crackdown on Dissent
Encouraged followers of Napoleon
Propaganda
Facilitated the transition of the Soviets from markedly different to remarkably similar to other farms
Less cruel than the pigs, despite being initially being what the revolution was against.
Facilitated trade between the pigs and outsiders
Created the initial Animalism ideology, was wise and an ideologue
Initial ideals and goals- altruistic
Hard worker, but dumb as balls and a blind follower
Lack of Political Awareness and Involvement
Disinterested old donkey- aware but unwilling to do anything
Machiavellianism- Complete passivity and disinterest until things personally affected him
Unwilling follower, preferred old system of government
"betrayer" of Animalism- saw the flaws early
Willing follower of Napoleon, until it was too late
Too trusting- supporters initially, but slowly made disposable and betrayed, as they did not question decisions that hurt them
Hesitant follower, but never took action until it was far too late
Too little too late: rapid control or animals and exerted power over them quickly stamped out opportunities for dissent
Initial owner and ruler of Animal Farm, capable but clutched in the grasps of vice, eventually neglects animals
"what could have been"- the depravity of pigs made conditions even worse than initially under Jones, a corruption of Animalism's initial values and a betrayal of the cause
Transitionary: Distribution of power (meetings)- Democracy
Refer to Notes for book references
Initially: Power concentrated in the hands of one (Jones)- Autocracy
Finally: Centralisation of power (pigs)- Autocracy
Exertion of Power
Refer to Notes for specific comparisons
Forced Labour
Suppression of Revolt
Authoritarian Rule
Instillation of Fear
Reduction to "nothing"
Promises of a bright future, never eventually met
Use of excuses and clever reasoning to obtain resources
Use of political dogma to promote the greatness of Animalism
Rallying support of Napoleon, and tarnishing Snowball's reputation through propaganda
Twisting the truth of the commandments- changes and reductions in the commandments until only one is left
Of the Animals
Of Animalism
Changes in the commandments- twisting their meanings, purposes and their ideals, betraying their original intent
Relied on their support when they were weak, exploited their labour to improve themselves, and eventually still betrayed them, becoming the very thing they swore to destroy
Disobeying the word and meaning of the original commandments- in the behaviours and actions of the pigs
More concerned with personal wealth than the basic needs of others
Would do anything to maintain power, exert control and enrich himself at the expense of others
Poor planner- copied schemes with dubious details and poor knowledge of processes
A manipulative, machiavellistic and narcisstic pig who only cared about himself, he demeaned and reduced other animals, psychologically, to "nothing"
Narcisstic
Caring and concerned about welfare of animals
Was an idealist, believed in equality, proletarian participation in government, and fair treatment
Good planner- detailed and well thought-out schemes and committees
A positive impact on the farm, always encouraging and speaking kindly of animals and their collective efforts at improvement
Altruistic
pg18- The third corruption- Firearms training, becoming more like men
pgs. 22-24- The Battle of Cowshed- one human casualty, well-planned and well-organised animals
pgs. 16-18- The second corruption- in order to obtain their own loyal servants, the pigs propose the education of the dogs, in reality training them to be just as devoted as the guard dogs before them
pgs. 13-14- The first corruption- Milk and first crops go to the pigs, and they manipulate the animals into thinking they are superior, without Snowball's knowledge
pgs. 27-30- The Final Meetings- Napoleon always needlessly criticises and harangues Snowball, culminating in his guard dogs chasing Snowball away
pgs. 9-12- Rebellion, and the establishment of the 7 Commandments
pgs. 31-32- The fourth corruption- Napoleon assumes leadership, and abolishes weekly meetings, requiring "discipline, iron discipline"
pgs. 2-7- The establishment of Animalism- idealistic, hopeful and good for all
pgs. 32-35- The fifth corruption- Napoleon tarnishes Snowball's memory, and restarts the (poorly planned and executed) construction of the windmill
pgs. 36-38- The sixth corruption- Napoleon engages in trade dealings with humans, for human money, against Animalism's ideals
pgs. 38-39- The seventh corruption- The pigs move into the farmhouse and sleep in beds, twisting and corrupting the essence of the commandments to their own liking
pg. 40-41- In the face of starvation for the lower animals, Napoleon decrees the selling of the hen's eggs, for his own profit, of course
pg.41-42- The Rebellion of the Hens- Hens are deprived of food and water until nine die, before they capitulate.
pg,43-44- Framing of Snowball- Napoleon, in the face of rapidly declining morale and dissent, frames Snowball for the disappearing money and the starvation crisis
pg.47- Nothing- The animals are told to reduce themselves to nothing- psychologically and physically, and to be completely subservient to their masters.
pg. 51-52- The ninth corruption- Napoleon get DRUNK- public is SHOCKED- HE GIVES HIMSELF A MEDAL???!!?!!?!
pgs. 45-48- The trials, executions, and the eighth corruption- To instill fear into the hearts of the animals, the sham trials and subsequent executions are carried out, and the meaning of a commandment is twisted and manipulated yet again.
pg. 53- The Battle of the Windmill- Poorly-organised, windmill destroyed, but still declared a victory
pgs. 55-57- Betrayal of Boxer- Boxer, ailing and in poor health, is sent to the slaughterer, the final betrayal for the loyal steed, nose always to the ground.
pgs. 58-59- The final betrayal- In a final betrayal to the ideals of Animalism, equality, no matter how theoretical, is officially abolished, as the pigs wear clothes, and rise up onto two legs. Four legs good, two legs better, three legs best?
pgs. 59-63-
The pigs become the very thing they swore to destroy, and stamp on the memory of Animalism, by becoming indistinguishable from the humans.