4.1.3

Symbols

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Character Symbolism

The characters in Animal Farm symbolise different figures from the Russian Revolution:

Diagram

Character Symbolism

The characters in Animal Farm symbolise different figures from the Russian Revolution:

Diagram

Symbolism

In addition to the characters, the following features of Animal Farm symbolise different aspects of the Russian Revolution:

The flag with the __“hoof and horn”__

The flag with the “hoof and horn”

  • The Soviet flag with hammer and sickle.
  • At first this is a symbol of freedom for the animals, but in the final chapter, Napoleon says that the symbols on the flag (the symbols of freedom) are to be removed.
The windmill

The windmill

  • The industrialisation of Russia. The animals have to sacrifice everything (eventually even the beloved Boxer) in order to build this windmill.
  • Just as the Russian people suffered and worked to establish Stalin’s 5 year industrial plan.
The Battle of the Windmill

The Battle of the Windmill

  • When Hitler invaded Russia and the Soviet army suffered greatly, but ultimately defeated his attack.
The setting

The setting

  • The Soviet Union (however, Orwell has chosen a simple British farm setting in order to show that this could happen anywhere and to represent the corruption of all dictatorships).
Whips

Whips

  • Slavery.
Guns

Guns

  • Violence.
Mr Jones (name)

Mr Jones (name)

  • Mr Jones has a common name. Napoleon and Jones symbolise all dictators – Orwell is warning his audience to be careful of those in power because absolute power corrupts.
The animals

The animals

  • The animals symbolise any group of people who are totally overpowered by their leader: inequality in a totalitarian state.
Jump to other topics
1

Important Plot Features

1.1

Plot Summaries

1.1.1Chapters 1-21.1.2Chapters 3-41.1.3Chapters 5-61.1.4Chapters 7-81.1.5Chapters 9-101.1.6Keywords1.1.7End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-51.1.8End of Topic Test - Chapters 6-10
2

Characters & Their Links to History

2.1

Key Characters

2.1.1Old Major2.1.2Snowball2.1.3Napoleon2.1.4Squealer2.1.5Boxer2.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Characters2.1.7AO2/3 - Key Characters2.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Boxer
2.2

Other Characters

2.2.1Mr Jones2.2.2Clover2.2.3Hens2.2.4Sheep2.2.5Mollie2.2.6Benjamin2.2.7Moses2.2.8Mr Frederick2.2.9Pilkington2.2.10Mr Whymper2.2.11End of Topic Test - Other Characters2.2.12End of Topic Test - Other Characters 2
3

Key Themes & Orwell's Purpose

3.1

Key Themes

3.1.1Education3.1.2Power & Control3.1.3Power & Language3.1.4Equality3.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes
4

Language, Form & Structure

4.1

Language, Form & Structure

4.1.1Form & Structure4.1.2Language4.1.3Symbols4.1.4Narrator & Allegory
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Characters Quotes

5.1.1Old Major Quotes5.1.2Snowball Quotes5.1.3Napoleon Quotes5.1.4Squealer Quotes5.1.5Boxer Quotes5.1.6Clover Quotes5.1.7Moses & Mr Frederick Quotes5.1.8Benjamin Quotes5.1.9Sheep Quotes5.1.10Hens Quotes5.1.11Mollie Quotes5.1.12Pilkington & Mr Whymper Quotes5.1.13Mr Jones Quotes
5.2

Text Structure Quotes

5.2.1Education Quotes5.2.2Power, Control & Language Quotes5.2.3Propaganda Quotes

Practice questions on Symbols

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which character in _Animal Farm_ symbolises Trotsky?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Features of character symbolism in _Animal Farm_:True / false
  3. 3
    In _Animal Farm_, who represents the masses who followed without questioning in the Russian Revolution?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Who or what from the Russian Revolution does Squealer represent?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Who in _Animal Farm_ symbolises people who did business with communist Russia?Multiple choice
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Language

Narrator & Allegory