Charactes
This pig comes up with the idea of the Rebellion and is known for his intelligence and good intentions.
Who is Snowball?
This event begins the animals’ revolt against Mr. Jones.
What is the Rebellion?
This political system is satirized through the pigs’ rise to power.
What is totalitarianism?
“Four legs good, two legs bad” is chanted most often by these animals.
What are the sheep?
Napoleon represents this real-world Soviet leader.
Who is Joseph Stalin?
This pig becomes the farm’s dictator and changes the commandments to suit his needs.
Who is Napoleon?
This battle takes place when humans try to take back the farm soon after the Rebellion.
What is the Battle of the Cowshed?
The windmill is a symbol of this concept—something used to control and distract workers.
What is manipulation / false hope / propaganda?
The pigs frequently say this phrase to justify their selfish behavior.
What is “It’s for the good of the farm”?
Snowball is based on this Russian revolutionary who was exiled.
Who is Leon Trotsky?
This hardworking cart-horse’s motto is “I will work harder.”
who is Boxer?
Snowball’s major construction idea meant to improve life on the farm.
What is the windmill?
This famous line shows how equality gets twisted: “All animals are equal, but…”
What is “…some animals are more equal than others”?
This pig gives the speech blaming Snowball for everything.
Who is Squealer?
The dogs symbolize this Soviet group that enforced Stalin’s power.
What is the KGB / secret police?
This goat can read better than most animals and notices when the commandments change.
Who is Muriel?
When the pigs start doing this activity, the other animals notice they act more like humans.
What is walking on two legs? (or living in the farmhouse)
Boxer symbolizes this group of people in society.
Who are the working class?
This commandment changes to allow pigs to sleep in beds.
What is “No animal shall sleep in a bed—with sheets”?
The Rebellion mirrors this major 1917 event.
What is the Russian Revolution?
This character represents the propaganda machine, constantly explaining Napoleon’s decisions.
Who is Squealer?
The animals realize the pigs have become indistinguishable from humans in this final scene.
What is the pigs playing cards with the farmers?
Napoleon uses the dogs to symbolize this type of force used by governments.
What is secret police / military intimidation?
Benjamin’s usual phrase showing his skepticism.
What is “Donkeys live a long time”?
The pigs trading with humans represents this period when the Soviet Union cooperated with the West during WWII.
What is the Allied cooperation / wartime alliance?