Gullibility and Naiveté in Animal Farm
George Orwell's Animal Farm clearly illustrates the ignorant gullibility of the general population in any given nation. This aspect of the novel is clearly portrayed by the sheep, the dogs, and Boxer, who represent the general public, the secret police, and the workforce, respectively.
The Sheep are quite possibly the most offending character to society because their naïveté relates to everyone in the public, and anyone reading the book. Firstly, they show ignorance when Napoleon and Snowball teach them quite easily their "four legs good, two legs bad" phrase, even though they do not quite understand what they're saying. They come to love their newly adapted slogan, and tend to break out into it in the middle of tumult. Although they like it so much, they are willing to change it to "four legs good, two legs better." without much resistance. And finally, they show gullibility in that they too become terrified of Napoleon after the executions just like all the other animals. This trusting characteristic is especially taken advantage of by Napoleon and shows great weakness from the sheep.