animal farm

Essay text:

Comparison of characters to Russian Revolution Animal Farm Russian Revolution Mr. Jones • irresponsible- lets his animals starve • sometimes cruel - beats them with a whip • sometimes nice- mixes milk in animal mash Czar Nicholas II • a poor leader at best, compared to western kings • cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents • sometimes nice - hired students as spies to make money Old Major • taught Animalism • workers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt • dies before revolution Karl Marx • invented Communism • "workers of the world unite", takes over government • dies before Russian Revolution Animalism • no owners, no rich, but no poor • workers get a better life, all animals equal • everyone owns the farm Communism • no owners, no rich, but no poor • all people equal • government owns everything, people own government Snowball • young, smart, good speaker, idealistic • wants to make life better for all • one of the leaders of revolution • chased away into exile by Napoleon's dogs Leon Trotsky • other leader of "October Revolution" • pure communist, followed Marx • wanted to improve life for all in Russia • chased away by Lenin's KGB (Lenin's secret police) Napoleon • not a good speaker, not as clever like Snowball • cruel, brutal, selfish, devious, corrupt • he wants power, killed opponents • used dogs, moses, and Squealor to control animals Joseph Stalin • not a good speaker, not educated like Trotsky • same as Napoleon, didn't follow Marx's ideas • cared for power, killed all that opposed him • used KGB, allowed church, and propagandized Squealer • big mouth, talkative • convinces animals to believe and follow Napoleon • Changes and manipulates the commandments Propaganda department of Lenin's government • worked for Stalin to support his image • used lies to convince the people to follow Stalin • benefited from the fact that education was controlled The Dogs • a private army that used fear to force animals to work • killed or intimidated any opponent of Napoleon • another part of Napoleon's strategy to control animals KGB - Secret Police • not really police, but forced support for Stalin • used power, often killed entire families for defiance • totally loyal, part of Lenin's power Moses the Raven • tells animals about SugarCandy mountain - Heaven • animals can go there if they work hard • Snowball and Major were against him • they though Heaven was a lie to make animals work • Napoleon let him stay because he taught animals to • work and not complain Religion • Marx said "Opiate of the people" a lie • used to make people not whine and do their work • Religion was tolerated because people would work • Stalin knew religion would stop vicious revolutions Mollie • was vain - loved her beauty and self • didn't think about the animal farm • went with anyone who gave her what she wanted Vain, selfish people in Russia and world • some people didn't care about revolution • only though about themselves • went to other countries that offered more for them Boxer • strong, hard working horse, believes in Animal Farm • "Napoleon is always right", "I must work harder" • gives his all, is deceived by Napoleon, who sells him Dedicated, but tricked communist supporters • people believed Stalin because he was "Communist" • many stayed faithful after it was obvious Stalin was a tyrant • betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them Benjamin • old, wise donkey who is apprehensive of revolution • thinks "nothing ever changes", is right • his suspicions are true, about Boxer and sign changes Skeptical people in Russia and outside Russia • weren't sure revolution would change anything • realized that a crazy leader can call himself communist • knew that communism wouldn't work with power • hungry leaders Overall details about revolution • it was supposed to make life better for all • life was worse at the end • The leaders became the same as they were, or worse than they were • the other farmers (humans) they rebelled against Overall details of Russian Revolution • supposed to fix problems from Czar • life was even worse long after revolution • Stalin made Czar look like a nice guy