Entry 3: Main characters

http://www.aiacetorino.it/immagini/Animal_Farm.jpg

* who are the main characters in the novel? do you like them? why or why not? what is special about them? what do they reveal about the universal human experience?

Napoleon is a pig that comes out as the leader of Animal Farm. Napoleon is a model of Joseph Stalin, previous Russian dictator, who uses “military power”. He’s not the protagonist in this novel, but he is the main character. He educates the little puppies for his own goods, not for them, so they can later be his soldiers or followers. Just like Joseph Stalin, Napoleon is an apathetic character who has no feeling towards anyone. That is the reason why I dislike Napoleon. He uses all the animals for himself and doesn’t give any awards. If I were to give him another name, I would give, “Napoleon the Terrible”. Napoleon also represents other dictators in the world other than Joseph Stalin. Like, Fidal Castro in Cuba or Kim Jong IL in North Korea. He was a character who wants everything in his way even if he would put everyone in jeopardy.

Snowball is the pig who is against Napoleon for controlling the Animal. Snowball is the model of Leon Trotsky who was a leader of Red Army criticizing Joseph Stalin. In the novel, Snowball is very smart, passionate, and persuasive. I actually do like him in the book and I wish he was the leader of the animal farm. He tries the spread the Animalism and tries to improve the animal farm. However, I feel bad that his end isn’t that great. He’s a revolutionist in the novel and a character who craves for righteousness.

Boxer is a horse who is very naïve, devoted and loyal to Napoleon. He plays a great role of completing the windmill. His two mottoes are “I will work harder.” and “Napoleon is always right.” Both mottos can give characteristics of Boxer: he’s very diligent and positive to remind himself that he will work harder in any circumstances. However, he uses that mind to support Napoleon. Later in the novel, Boxer’s pitiful death at a glue factory makes me furious and sad. He was the character who tried to hold the animal farm together by serving and with all his heart.

Squealer is a pig who is one of the followers of Napoleon who brainwashes the animals in the farm by spreading Napoleon’s propaganda with language. He misuses the truth to gain power and survive in the political world. He wrote the seven commandments on the wall:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

3. No animal shall wear clothes.

4. No animal shall sleep in bed.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal.

7. All animals are equal.
(page 43)
Later, he changes one of the rules (rule#7). In the story, he brainwashed the animals by teaching them to say, “Four legs good, two legs better!” and “a bird’s wing . . . is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation.” I really don’t like in the story and feel bad for him that he could’ve used the gift of speaking in the good way. He’s a character who uses his gift in a wrong way for his own good.