MODULE: ENGLISH

MODULE CODE: LEC36Q0

LEVEL 3

LECTURER: MISS V. APHANE

DUE DATE: 25 May 2023

Group names

Afika nikhwe 220104840

Kamvelihle Tsuluka 221601082

ANIMAL FARM
Animal Farm by George Orwell remains relevant for readers of this generation, the
fact that it is studied as part of the United Kingdom’s English literature curriculum
would add further credence to this opinion. Going through the novella we found its
themes and messages just as powerful, moving and relevant as they must have
been seven decades ago. Animal farm is set in a Farmyard where the animals decide
to seize the farmer’s land and create co-operative that reaps the benefits of their
combined labours. However, some animals see a bigger share of the rewards than
others, and the animals start to question their supposed utopia.

The parable successfully shows how the dream that communism in theory could be
so easily turns into the nightmare that totalitarianism again and again has proven to
be. Anthropomorphism has been found within the animal kingdom to provide an
excellent framework within on which to build very serious themes and for some
reasons a loyal horse betrayed can become one of the most tragic and sympathetic
figures in literature.

In the very first chapter of this intriguing book we can notice the use of
personification of the animals though first introduced to a human called Mr Jones.
The animals are given human characteristics such as speech and rebellion we are
introduced to very important characters in the likes of Old Major. A very influential,
well respected white old bore. He later gives birth to a revolution questioned by
some yet loved by man. Unfortunately old Major dies 3 days after sharing a bright
idea and a dream of a world were animals reign and humans are no more. The
theme of the book immediately gravitates towards.

It is then when about new characters of interest in the farm which is where this
fiction story takes place. The new characters which now gain importance are
snowball a charismatic, well-spoken pig and Napoleon a shady but respected pig.
These two pigs become the forefront of carry through the idea and preparing for the
great revolution that had be for-seen by the Old Major. The core struggles that
birthed the urge of the animals to rebel was being overworked and underfed by
Human beings. When Mr Jones starts to neglect the animals to the point of
starvation, the revolution comes to life sooner than expected. The animals rebel and
chase Mr Jones who owns the farm away and gain so called freedom. The mood at
this time becomes victorious and joyful but only for a while…The first leader, Old
Major, was kind and fair who knew animals should be equal. But when Napoleon
became the leader it was unpleasant. He made life better only for the pigs and as
for other animals it was an otherwise situation. That wasn’t enough, Napoleon
wanted more power. It went as far as killing his brother Snowball so he can have all
the power by himself. The very same Snowball who was admired because he came
up with a clever idea to build a windmill. Snowball was also popular because of his
role in the revolution. He and Boxer( a hardworking horse) were the bravest.
Napoleon destroyed all that.

“All animals are equal, but some are very equal” It’s the universal formula for
dictatorship, totalitarianism, or any other type of authoritarianism. Animal Farm was
dubbed a fairytale by George Orwell, yet it is more of a fable with a strong moral
message. As a fable, Animal Farm does not offer a solution to the worlds dictatorial
dilemma. It simply explains what most people strive so hard not to notice: nothing
changes, and history is a cyclical repetition of events. People are too easily
influenced they forget facts and circumstances and are eager to absorb what they
are fed-literally and figuratively. Similar to how the barn animals were able to
supplant the farm animals.

The animals are “rebelling against the laws of nature” with “nature” referring to a
society in which humans control all aspects of animals existence and exploit them for
a profit. Of course, what appears “natural” to humans is not “natural” to animals and
it’s worth noting that the novel’s attempts to modify the natures of both humans and
animals all fail. Animal Farm is becoming a location based more on military might
than agrarian production, according to the conclusion of the chapter. More than the
Seven Commandments of Animalism, the development of military honors, the
naming of the fight, and the decision to fire Jones pistol twice a year all suggest the
animals love of ceremony and the slow but sure transformation of Animal Farm into
a place regulated by martial law.

Animal Farm is moving, bitter and a warning from history.

Characters in Animal farm are : by George Orwell

Mr. Jones

Before the animals stage their Rebellion and build Animal Farm, the farmer who controls the
Manor Farm is frequently intoxicated. Mr Jones is a cruel boss who enjoys himself while his
animals go hungry; he thus depicts Tsar Nicholas I, who was deposed by the Russian
Revolution.

Mr. Frederick is a gentleman.

The tough, astute owner of Pinchfield, a nearby farm. Mr Frederick, who is based on Adolf
Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1040s, proves to be an untrustworthy
neighbour.

Mr. Pilkington is a British politician.

Foxwood, a neighbouring farm, is run by an easy going gentleman farmer. Mr. Pilkington, Mr
Frederick’s sworn antagonist, represents the capitalist regimes of England and the United
States.

Mr. Whymper is a character in the film Whymper

Napoleon employs a human lawyer to represent Animal Farm in human society. The
introduction of Mr Whymper into the Animal Farm community sparks contact between the
farm and human civilization, scaring the other animals.

Muriel.

When Clover suspects the pigs of breaking their restrictions, the white goat reads the seven
commandments to him.
Bluebell and Jessie

Early in the narrative, two dogs give birth to each other. Napoleon enlists the help of the
puppies to “teach” them.

Minimus

The poet pig who writes Napoleonic verses and composes the trite patriotic song “Animal
Farm, Animal Farm” to replace the earlier idealistic hymn “Beasts of England,” which old
Major passes on to others.

Benjamin

The stalwart donkey who refuses to be moved by the Rebellion. Benjamin is convinced that
life will stay unpleasant regardless of who is in control of the animals on the farm; he is the
only one who understands the changes, yet he appears unwilling or unable to oppose the
pigs.

Clover

Boxer’s close companion and a good-hearted female cart-horse. Clover frequently suspects
the pigs of breaking one of the Ten Commandments, but she constantly blames herself for
forgetting them.

Moses

The tame raven who spreads tales of Sugar candy Mountain, the fabled paradise where
animals are said to go after death. Although Moses has a minor role in Animal Farm, Orwell
uses him to investigate how communism uses religion as a tool to achieve its goals

Mollie

Mr Jones’ conceited, flighty mare pulls his carriage. Mollie yearns for human attention and
enjoys being groomed and caressed. She misses wearing ribbons in her mane and munching
sugar cubes, which makes her existence on Animal Farm unpleasant. She represents the
Russian small bourgeoisie, which departed the country a few years after the Revolution.

Napoleon

After the Rebellion, the pig emerges as the new leader of Animal Farm. Napoleon, based on
Joseph Stalin, employs military force (his nine loyal attack dogs) to frighten and consolidate
his dominance over the other animals. Napoleon proved to be more devious than his
counterpart, Snowball, in terms of deception.

Snowball

After the Rebellion, the pig that confronts Napoleon for control of Animal Farm. Snowball,
based on Leon Trotsky, is more brilliant, passionate, expressive, and less clever and
deceptive than Napoleon. Snowball appears to acquire the other animals’ trust and
consolidate his dominance.

Boxer

The cart-horse, whose extraordinary strength, determination, and loyalty play a significant
role in Animal Farm’s early prosperity and the windmill’s subsequent construction. Boxer is
quick to help yet slow-witted, demonstrating a strong commitment to Animal Farm’s beliefs
but a limited ability to think about them independently. He has a foolish belief that the pigs
would make all of his decisions for him. “I shall work harder” and “Napoleon is always
correct” are his two mottos.

Squealer

The pig that disseminates Napoleon’s propaganda among the animals. Squealer defends the
pigs’ resource monopoly and publishes bogus figures about the farm’s prosperity. Squealer
is a novel by George Orwell that explores how those in power frequently use speech and
language to distort the facts in order to preserve social and political control.
Major (Old)

The prize-winning boar who inspired the Rebellion with his vision of a socialist future. Major
passes away three days after describing the vision and teaching the animals the song
“Beasts of England,” leaving Snowball and Napoleon to fight over his legacy. Orwell based
Major on both Karl Marx, a German political economist, and Vladimir Ilych Lenin, a Russian
revolutionary leader.