Before or during reading, it is helpful to review the ways that this novel is allegorical. Students will need knowledge of important Russian figures, and how they relate to the characters of Animal Farm. If starting this assignment while reading, students can complete this character map to help keep track of important attributes of each character. If completing before reading, internet research may be helpful to establish prominent figures and characteristics of particular communist leaders that play a significant role in the allegory.
| BOOK CHARACTERS | DESCRIPTION | HISTORICAL FIGURES |
|---|---|---|
| Old Major | He is the first of the animals who stands up for the working class. It is his original suggestion to revolt against the humans. | Karl Marx/Lenin |
| Snowball | A true leader of the revolt, the other animals look up to him. He is the one who comes up with the plans for a windmill. | Leo Trotsky |
| Napoleon | After Old Major's death, Napoleon uses Snowball to continue Major's dream. After the rebellion, he seizes control, becoming a tyrant. | Stalin |
| Squealer | Squealer often speaks for Napoleon and is excellent at using rhetoric to manipulate the animals. | Russian Media |
| Boxer & Clover | Boxer is a working horse who believes wholeheartedly in the cause. He works himself to death for "Animalism". | The Russian Working Class |
| Mollie | A horse who was never for the rebellion, she eventually is lured away from the farm because she does not believe in the animals' ideology. | Russia's Upper Classes/Loyal to Czar |
| Benjamin | A smart, wise, old donkey who can read and write just as well as the pigs. He continuously remarks that donkeys live a long time, suggesting that with age comes wisdom. | The Older Generation of Russians |
| Moses | A raven who speaks of a lost paradise for animals called "Sugar Candy Mountain." | Russian Orthodox Church |
| Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher | These dogs are Napoleon's enforcers. He uses the dogs to run Snowball off the farm. | The Police/Military |
| Mr. & Mrs. Jones | The drunk farmer that owned the farm before the animals took over. He dies with hopes to regain the farm but never does. | Tsar Nicholas II and the Former Aristocracy |
| Mr. Whymper | A capitalist that Napoleon hires to work deals with neighboring farms for him. | Capitalism in the Soviet Union |
| Mr. Pilkington | A landowner of a neighboring farm who sells Napoleon some land. In the end, he oddly cheers Napoleon's success, which seems fake! | Leaders of England |
| Mr. Frederick | Owner of Pinchfield Farm, who is notorious for "driving hard bargains", swindles Napoleon by buying timber from him with counterfeit bills. He later tries to take Animal Farm forcibly, but is unsuccessful. | Leaders of Germany |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Encourage the students to read more about the main characters in the Russian Revolution and their backgrounds. For instance, the traits, personalities, and motivations of significant historical figures. This will give students some information prior to the analysis and make the comparisons easier.
Identify the main characters and ask the students to analyze their traits and motivations. Ask the students what role each character is playing in the story and how their motivations are impacting other characters and the overall story.
Ask the students to list all the characters from Animal Farm on one side and the historical figures they represent on the other side. Ask each student to pick one character and their corresponding historical figure to make a comparison. Students can assess the similarities and differences between these characters in the Venn Diagram.
Compare and contrast the characters' philosophies and beliefs with those of their historical forebears. Think of Snowball's emphasis on education and Trotsky's support for a world revolution. Promote discussion on the basis of these philosophies and if they had any significant impact during the revolution.
Guide the students to reflect on these connections and their significance. Encourage them to discuss how the allegory improves their comprehension of the book and historical events. Students can also compare the accuracy of these events in the story and if anything was influenced by the author’s own views.
One of the pigs that assumes leadership following the uprising is Napoleon. He is power-hungry, crafty, and ambitious. He gathers authority and takes over as de facto head of Animal Farm as the narrative goes on. Gradually, he becomes part of the problem he vowed to resolve and all the animals on the farm realize the irony of the situation.
Old Major is a seasoned boar who is well-liked throughout the farm. He has a vision of a world without classes and is intelligent and well-spoken. With his discourse, he encourages the animals to rise up in opposition to human domination. He is the reason why Napoleon and Snowball started working for the revolution.
In the book, Mr. Jones is an abusive human farmer who stands in for the corrupt ruling elite. The animals rebel as a result of his carelessness and cruelty. In the end, the animals realize that despite all of their efforts, the pigs turned out to be exactly like Mr. Jones.