more char, satire, and others

Old Major

Represents Karl Marx / Vladimir Lenin; symbolizes the origin of revolutionary ideology.

Napoleon

Represents Joseph Stalin; symbolizes totalitarian dictatorship and abuse of power.

Snowball

Represents Leon Trotsky; symbolizes idealistic leadership destroyed by political rivalry.

Squealer

Represents Soviet propaganda / Pravda newspaper; symbolizes media manipulation.

Boxer

Represents the working class (proletariat); symbolizes exploitation and blind loyalty.

Clover

Represents aware but powerless citizens; symbolizes moral concern ignored by leadership.

Benjamin

Represents skeptical intellectuals; symbolizes warnings that go unheeded.

The Dogs

Represent the KGB / secret police; symbolize intimidation and state violence.

The Sheep

Represent easily controlled masses; symbolize mindless conformity.

Mr. Jones

Represents Tsar Nicholas II; symbolizes failed leadership and oppression.

Mr. Frederick

Represents Hitler/Germany; symbolizes betrayal and manipulation.

Satire of Pigs' Leadership

Criticizes corrupt governments; warning: revolutions can be hijacked by those in power.

Satire of Working Class (Boxer)

Criticizes blind obedience; warning: loyalty without critical thinking leads to exploitation.

Satire of Propaganda (Squealer)

Criticizes fake news and manipulation; warning: control of information controls society.

Satire of Religion (Moses the Raven)

Criticizes how religion can be used to distract suffering masses; warning: leaders may use hope as control.

Satire of Human Society

Shows animals repeating human mistakes; warning: history repeats if people remain ignorant.

Satire of Political Violence (The Dogs)

Criticizes police states and intimidation; warning: fear keeps dictators in power.

Old Major's Speech - Intent

To inspire rebellion against human oppression and promote unity, equality, and freedom.

Use of Old Major's Ideas by Later Leaders

Napoleon twists the original message to justify dictatorship and control.

Farm at the Beginning

Hopeful, united, idealistic; Seven Commandments promise equality for all.

Farm in the Middle (Ch. 4-7)

Hard labor, shortages, propaganda increases; pigs begin taking privileges; commandments start to change.

Farm at the End

Pigs become indistinguishable from humans; total betrayal of rebellion; 'All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.'

Bandwagon

'Everyone supports Napoleon—don't be the only one who doesn't!'

Fear Appeal

'Do you want Jones to come back?'

Scapegoating

Blaming Snowball for all problems on the farm.

Glittering Generalities

Using vague words like 'comrade,' 'loyal,' 'heroic' to mask lies.

Appeal to Authority

'Napoleon says so,' presented as unquestionable.

Card Stacking

Presenting only positive info about pigs, hiding negatives.

Revisionism

Changing commandments and rewriting history to control memory.

False Dichotomy

Only two choices: 'Support Napoleon OR bring back Jones.'

Ad Hominem

Attacking Snowball's character instead of evidence.

Circular Reasoning

'Napoleon is always right because Napoleon says so.'

Slippery Slope

Suggesting small disobedience will lead to total disaster.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing conclusions from limited evidence ('Snowball always lied').

Satire

A literary technique using humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose flaws in society.

Irony

When reality contradicts expectations (pigs become like humans).

Parody

Imitation of something to mock or criticize it.

Caricature

Exaggerated traits to highlight flaws (Squealer's speeches).

Allegory

A story where characters/events represent real historical people and ideas.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration used to criticize or expose truths.