home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CP/M
/
CPM_CDROM.iso
/
mbug
/
mbug183.arc
/
OTHERS.CHR
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1979-12-31
|
3KB
|
72 lines
5
14
There are many minor characters in 'Animal Farm'. All of them
have some importance to the total message that the author was
trying to convey.
These notes discuss many of the minor characters; mention who
the corresponding historical figure is if there is one; and say
what Orwell's purpose might have been in creating each.
BENJAMIN
Benjamin the donkey is the oldest animal on the farm and may
also be the wisest. He sees through the pigs' exploitation of
the other animals but his cynical pessimistic nature prevents
him from doing anything about it.
He represents the disillusioned people who realise the
revolution is pointless.
14
MOSES
Moses the pet raven is a spy and a tale-bearer and a sweet
talker who tells the animals of a beautiful place called
Sugarcandy Mountain where they will go when they die.
He represents religion at first not welcome in Russia after the
Revolution but then accepted as a means of keeping the people
contented.
MOLLIE
Mollie is the silly and vain white mare. She has no liking for
the hard life after the Rebellion and quickly returns to the
world of men and physical comfort.
She represents the vain idle hangers on in the court of the
Tsar whose life of luxury is spoiled by the Revolution.
12
THE CAT
The cat is lazy and independent. She avoids work whenever
possible often with some plausible excuse.
She represents those people in society who adapt to whatever
the conditions are but who never accept any responsibility or
make any commitments.
MINIMUS
A pig who is a kind of official poet and song-writer composing
trite verses to praise Napoleon and Animal Farm.
Someone like Minimus would be necessary to aid the propaganda
agents.
11
CLOVER
Compassionate gentle and a little stupid Clover is like Boxer.
Like Boxer too. she represents the ordinary working people.
THE SHEEP
The sheep are the stupidest animals on the farm. They can be
easily convinced of anything by the sharp-witted pigs and they
even change their views completely with a little prompting.
The sheep represent the ignorant masses of people in a country
who blindly follow the instructions of whoever happens to be in
power at the moment.
13
THE DOGS
The dogs raised by Napoleon are trained to be vicious and
blindly obedient to their 'master'.
They represent Stalin's secret police the NKVD who also used
brutal methods to intimidate anyone who might be considered
Stalin's rival.
THE HUMANS
Frederick represents the leaders of Germany e.g. Hitler; while
Pilkington represents the leaders of Britain e.g. Churchill.
The only other human of any importance is Whymper a slimy
character who is obviously only interested in his own selfish
needs.