This pig becomes the main leader after the rebellion.
Napoleon
The animals rebel against this human owner.
Mr. Jones
“Four legs good, two legs bad” is an example of this device.
Repetition / slogan
This commandment shows equality at the beginning of the story.
All animals are equal
The story represents this historical revolution.
Russian Revolution
This pig is a strong speaker who represents intelligence and ideas.
Snowball
This structure is destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.
The windmill
“Napoleon is always right” is an example of this persuasive technique.
Propaganda / appeal to authority
This phrase shows Boxer’s blind loyalty.
“Napoleon is always right”
Napoleon represents this real-life leader.
Joseph Stalin
This hardworking horse always says, “I will work harder.”
Boxer
Snowball is forced off the farm by these animals.
Napoleon’s dogs
“Surely, comrades, you do not want Jones back?” is this type of question.
Rhetorical question
This quote shows manipulation of truth by the pigs.
Changing the commandments
This theme shows how power can corrupt leaders.
Power corrupts
This animal represents laziness and avoids work whenever possible.
Mollie
The pigs begin walking on two legs, showing this major change.
They have become like humans
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” is this device.
Paradox
This line shows the animals’ confusion and realization at the end.
They cannot tell pigs from humans
This theme shows how the working class is exploited.
Abuse of the working class / inequality
This donkey understands what is happening but rarely speaks up.
Benjamin
At the end of the novel, the animals cannot tell the difference between these two groups.
Pigs and humans
Using fear to control animals (like threatening Jones’ return) is this technique.
Fear appeal / propaganda
This phrase represents control through language simplification.
“Four legs good, two legs better”
This theme explains how language can control people.
Manipulation through propaganda