Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution

Orwell's goals in writing Animal Farm was to portray the Russian (or Bolshevik) Revolution of 1917 It resulted in a government more oppressive, totalitarian, and deadly than the one it overthrew. Many of the characters and events of Orwell's novel parallel those of the Russian Revolution. In short, Manor Farm is a model of Russia.

Mr. Jones Represents Czar Nicholas II

Old Major Karl Marx

Animalism Communism

Snowball Leon Trotsky

Napoleon Joseph Stalin

Squealer Propaganda Dept.

The Dogs Cheka (Secret Police)

Moses the Raven Religion

Selfish people of Russia Mollie Selfish people of Russia

Boxer Dedicated, but tricked communist supporters

Benjamin Skeptical people in Russia and outside Russia

Animalism Communism

Old Major Karl Marx

Animalism Communism

Leon Trotsky Snowball

Napoleon Joseph Stalin

Squealer Propaganda Dept.

The Dogs Cheka (Secret Police)

Religion Opposed to Religion: first seen as the enemy of the people Moses the Raven Opposed to Religion: first seen as the enemy of the people Unwanted Returns after an absence

Selfish people of Russia Mollie

Boxer Dedicated, but tricked communist supporters

Skeptical people in Russia and outside Russia Benjamin

Animal Farm Revolution It was supposed to make life better for everyone. Life was worse at the end. The leaders became the same as, or worse than, the other farmers (humans) they rebelled against. The Russian Revolution Was supposed to fix problems caused by the Czar but it did not Life under Stalin was worse Stalin’s rule worse than Czar’s rule http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/edsitement.neh.gov/files/worksheets/Animal%20Farm%20-%20Worksheet%203%20-%20What%27s%20in%20a%20Name%20%20-%20%20Teacher%20version.pdf http://www.gradesaver.com/animal-farm/study-guide/character-list/