Animal Farm
George Orwell
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Character Analysis: Box and Clover
Clover’s traits as a “stout, motherly mare” are exemplified within the first chapter of the novella, where she tends to a nest of ducklings who recently lost their mother. She is considered one of Boxer’s closest companions, and one of the more passionate supporters of Animalism. Whilst she is not as laborious as Boxer, Clover is shown to be more intelligent, learning the entire alphabet as opposed to Boxer, who only knows four letters. During the story, she develops a more questioning stance towards Napoleon’s wrongdoings, yet continues to remain passive. One of her most compelling scenes arises in Chapter 7, in which she emotionally reflects upon the scenes of slaughter on the farm and leads the animals in a sad rendition of “Beasts of England.” Clover’s maternal instincts are further accentuated through her care for Boxer when he injures himself while working. Even as an old mare, Clover spreads the legacy of the Rebellion and principles of Animalism, foregrounding her persistent hope for a better future.
Alongside Clover, Boxer is a character who most ardently believes in the ideals of Animalism. Whilst described as “an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high,” Boxer possesses a tender personality, illustrated by his remorse upon seemingly killing a stableboy: “I have no wish to take life, not even human life.” He has the strongest work ethic amongst all the farm animals, as demonstrated by his maxim, “I will work harder.” Through his tendency to lead by example, Boxer becomes a symbol of hope for the other animals to strive for a better future.
His lack of self-regard whilst working underscores a willingness to sacrifice for the farm. Indeed, his disposal of “the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears” shows a readiness to suffer in order to support the causes of Animalism. However, this dedication seems to be his only answer to problems, even to the death of his comrades at the hands of Napoleon. Eventually, Boxer’s health deteriorates, and he is sent to be slaughtered by Napoleon despite his loyalty to the farm.
The characters of Boxer and Clover collectively embody the Russian proletariat during the reign of Stalin. Boxer’s enormous workload in the novella is used to convey the insurmountable labour that the working class were subjected to. In considering this, the tragic ending for Boxer metaphorically represents the sacrifice of the working class for the profit of the upper class. His tenacity further describes the basic psychology of the proletariat, who perceived work as being the sole solution to their issues.
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Animal Farm
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Animal Farm captures the events of the 1917 Russian Revolution. In February 1917, the oppressive and autocratic Tsarist government was overthrown and replaced with the unpopular Provisional Government, which later, in October,
was also overthrown, this time by the communist Bolshevik Party. The aftermath of this rebellion is reincarnated in the form of a fable, the events of which reflect the hostile political landscape of Orwell’s context and ensuing social injustice.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm begins in Manor farm, where it is revealed that the drunken farmer Mr Jones has been continually mistreating his animals. Old Major, a wise and esteemed boar now approaching his final days, calls together a meeting, where he tells the other animals of his dream – a utopian society, where the farm animals are free to live a life without the burden of slavery by mankind. In this speech, Major declares rebellion to be the key in achieving this idealistic society and patriotically accentuates his speech with the anthem “Beasts of England,” which becomes a symbol of the animals’ freedom and integrity. Shortly after, Major dies, leaving his dream behind for the other farm animals to achieve.
Plans of rebellion are made, with the pigs establishing themselves as leaders of the coup. With a united effort, the animals are able to drive Mr Jones away from the farm and soon find themselves revelling in freedom. Without the control of Mr Jones, the farm flourishes and the animals experience freedom for the first time in a long time. However, the future of the farm shortly becomes a point of conflict between the established leaders, Snowball and Napoleon, as the two pigs have differing aspirations for the farm. The struggle for power culminates in Snowball eventually being driven away, giving Napoleon total unopposed control over the farm. With Napoleon at the helm, the ideals of equality on the farm seem to quickly vanish, with the pigs slowly establishing control through false claims of altruism. Through rhetoric and propaganda, the other animals are compelled to follow the pigs’ leadership.
Life on the farm for all the other animals except the pigs becomes inevitably worse under the rule of Napoleon. The rewards of labour on the farm are used to ensure a luxurious lifestyle for the pigs, subsequently subverting the concept of an equal society once proposed by Major. In fact, life on the farm seems to be worse than it had been under the control of Mr Jones. This is symbolically exemplified in the conclusion of the novella, where the other farm animals witness the transformation of the pigs as they begin to walk on two legs and play cards, eerily resembling the humans who oppressed the animals in the first place.
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