Animal Farm Test

Benjamin

A cynical, intelligent donkey who believes nothing will ever really improve

Benjamin parallel

The skeptical, older generation in Russia who doubted the Revolution but did not resist it.

Boxer

A strong, loyal cart-horse whose mottos are “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right.”

Boxer parallel

The proletariat—especially dedicated communist laborers—whose blind loyalty and hard work were exploited by Soviet leadership.

Clover

Maternal, caring mare who often senses something is wrong but can’t articulate it.

Clover parallel

The working-class women of Russia who supported the Revolution but were misled and powerless to challenge authority.

Mollie

A vain, pampered white mare more interested in ribbons and sugar than politics.

Mollie parallel

The bourgeoisie or Russian upper class who fled Russia after the Revolution because they preferred their old lifestyle.

Moses

A raven who tells stories of “Sugarcandy Mountain,” a paradise after death.

Moses parallel

The Russian Orthodox Church, which offered hope while distracting people from their suffering.

Mr. Jones

The original owner of the farm; drunk, negligent, and overthrown by his animals.

Mr. Jones parallel

Tsar Nicholas II—weak, irresponsible leadership that helped spark a revolution.

Mr. Frederick

Owner of Pinchfield Farm; tough, shrewd, and eventually betrays the animals.

Mr. Frederick parallel

Adolf Hitler/Germany—especially the Nazi-Soviet Pact and its betrayal.

Mr. Pilkington

Owner of Foxwood Farm; easygoing, represents Western powers.

Mr. Pilkington parallel

Britain and the United States, who had complicated relations with the Soviet Union.

Mr. Whymper

A human solicitor hired to handle Animal Farm’s trade with the outside world.

Mr. Whymper parallel

Western capitalists/businessmen who dealt with the USSR for profit.

Muriel

A smart goat who can read better than most animals but is quiet.

Muriel parallel

The educated working class—aware of corruption but unable or unwilling to oppose it.

Napoleon

A large Berkshire boar who becomes the totalitarian leader.

Napoleon parallel

Joseph Stalin—manipulative, ruthless, power-obsessed.

Nine Dogs

Napoleon’s private enforcers raised from birth to obey him.

Nine Dogs parallel

The NKVD or Soviet secret police used by Stalin to intimidate and eliminate enemies.

Old Major

The wise boar who inspires the rebellion with his speech.

Old Major parallel

Karl Marx (ideology) and Vladimir Lenin (revolutionary spark).

Snowball

An intelligent, passionate pig who plans the windmill and is later chased off.

Snowball parallel

Leon Trotsky—an idealistic revolutionary exiled and demonized by Stalin.

Squealer

Napoleon’s propaganda pig who manipulates language to justify the regime.

Squealer parallel

The Soviet propaganda machine, especially Pravda.

Animal Farm

The Soviet Union itself—born from revolution but eventually corrupted.

Barn

The collective memory of the animals; where commandments (truth) are stored and later rewritten.

Farmhouse

The seat of power; symbolizes the Kremlin and how leaders adopt the luxuries of the old regime.

Flag

Originally a green flag with hoof and horn, symbolizing unity of animals—parallels to Soviet symbolism. Later, its meaning is hollowed out as leadership becomes corrupt.

Milk and Apples

Resources reserved exclusively for the pigs. Symbol of inequality and how leaders exploit ideology for personal gain.

Mr. Jones’ Gun

Symbol of military power; later used by the pigs to threaten and intimidate the animals, showing how old tools of oppression return.

Old Major’s Skull

A revolutionary relic (like Lenin’s body on display). Later removed as Napoleon abandons revolutionary ideals completely.

Windmill

Symbol of modernization, industrial progress, and manipulation. Also shows how leaders use impossible promises to control a workforce.

Original Seven Commandments

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 a bed.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal.

7. All animals are equal.

How do the Seven Commandments change?

• “No animal shall sleep in a bed” → “…with sheets.”

• “No animal shall drink alcohol” → “…to excess.”

• “No animal shall kill any other animal” → “…without cause.”

• Final commandment:
  “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

What do these changes show

• The leadership becomes increasingly authoritarian.

• Language and laws are manipulated to maintain power.

• The pigs abandon the founding ideals and recreate the tyranny they claimed to overthrow.

• The animals’ inability to challenge or remember the original laws allows corruption to spread unchecked.