The characters in Animal farm can be split into three groups - the humans, the pigs, and the other farm animals. Each group represents a different element of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
The characters in Animal Farm can be split into three groups - the humans, the pigs and the other animals. The humans are the villains, thoughtless and neglectful. The pigs are scheming, clever and forceful and replace the humans as villains. The other farmyard animals are trusting, passive and hardworking - they are the heroic victims of the novel. Each group represents a different element of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Main characters
Old Major
Napoleon
Snowball
Boxer
Secondary characters
Mr Jones
Squealer
Benjamin
Minor characters
Clover - the mother figure of the farm. A kind and caring horse that sees the faults in Napoleon’s rule but like Boxer, lacks the words to express herself.
The dogs - there are good dogs: Bluebell, Jessie and Pitcher, then there are Napoleon's dogs that he uses to police the farm. They represent the secret organisations of the police.
The hens - they bravely protest about their eggs being taken.
Mollie - a horse that is happy to be ruled by humans.
Moses - Jones' pet raven, also a preacher.
The young pigs - they speak out against Napoleon and are executed as a result.
The sheep - they interrupt debate on the farm with chants of "four legs good, two legs bad". They play a crucial role in Napoleon's rise to power.
Mr Pilkington - an 'easy going' gentleman farmer who spends most of his time hunting.
Mr Frederick - a tough farmer who fights to get what he wants.
