Animal Farm by George Orwell

1
Animal Farmby George Orwell

• Allegorical Symbolism Behind Supporting Characters

2
Orwells Symbolism

• After discussing the primary symbolism in the
  novel, we defined a focus for our reading
• try to identify other places where Orwell uses
  allegorical symbolism based on your knowledge of
  the Russian Revolution.

3
Who does Boxer represent?

• The name Boxer is cleverly used by Orwell to
  evoke ideas of the Boxer Rebellion in China in
  the early 20th century.
• This rebellion signaled the beginning of
  Communism in Red China.
• Boxer represents lower class proletariat that
  were drawn to Stalin, because they thought they
  would most benefit from his rule.

4
What do the pigs represent?

• Orwell uses the pigs to surround and support
  Napoleon.
• They symbolize the Communist party loyalists and
  friends of Stalin.
• They perhaps symbolize the Duma, as well, which
  is the Russian Parliament.

5
What does Mollie represent?

• Mollie is one of the animals most opposed to the
  new government under Napoleon.
• She is not interested in politics, but rather
  simply satisfying her own superficial desires.
• She represents citizens who are resistant to
  change and are only interested in maintaining the
  status quo.

6
What does Benjamin represent?

• Old Benjamin does not change since the rebellion.
• He never gets too high or too low, never becoming
  too excited or too disappointed about anything
  that has passed.
• He represents generally someone who never totally
  embraces revolution, and are so cynical that they
  no longer look to leaders for help.
• He does not fall for the propaganda of Napoleon,
  but does not have the charisma to teach other
  citizens about this.

7
The Farm and the Windmill

• The farm stands for the Kremlin. In the early
  days of the USSR there were sightseeing tours
  through the Kremlin. Later it became the
  residence of Stalin.
• The Windmill stands for Russian industry, the
  culmination of a five-year-plan executed by the
  working class. Its destruction represents the
  eventual failure of the five-year plan.

8
Neighboring Farms and Farmers

• Foxwood Farm represents England.
• Pinchfield Farm represents Germany.
• Fredericks represents Hitler.
• Stalin has friendly dealings with Hitler, and
  secretly arranges for trade.
• Stalin eventually turns his back on Hitler.

9
Other Characters

• Are there other animals/characters in the novel
  that you feel reflect the history of the Russian
  Revolution or its aftermath?