Mr. Jones, the farmer, represents the Tsar of Russia who is driven out of Russia. Old Major, the first pig mentioned, is a representation of Karl Marx and other communist leaders. Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick represent the leaders of England and Germany. Snowball is Leo Trotsky, one of the original revolutionaries, but as Stalin gained power he became Stalin’s enemy. He is also expelled from the farm as Leo is expelled from Russia. Napoleon is Joseph Stalin and Squealer, the Russian media, spreads his beliefs.
The horses are a representation of Russia’s people. Boxer, the work horse, is the working class and the ideal communist. His motto is “I will work harder,” and “Napoleon must be right.” On the other hand, Mollie, stays faithful to people, or the old Tsar. She may represent Russia’s upper class.
The dogs are Russia’s military and police. Napoleon steals pups from their mothers shortly after the revolution for the purpose of education. When Napoleon pulls Snowball down, the dogs act as his personal military, like Stalin. The birds also play key roles in the book, as well as in the Russian Revolution. The birds are alienated by “Four legs good, two legs bad” because they have two legs but Squealer explains that they are included in four legs because of their wings. In reality, many classes of people were left out by Stalin, especially the peasant farmers. Their lands were confiscated later like the chicken’s eggs.
Nicely put. Your paragraph on the horses got me thinking a little. They are grouped together as representing the majority of Russia's people. Why choose horses to represent this though? The big reason would be that they are largely working animals and would represent the working class. However, people also ride horses. Perhaps the leaders "rode the people of Russia" to the top, so to speak?
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