Animal Farm - review of the Pigs role

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Rowena Briggs

Animal Farm essay

   At the start of the novel Orwell describes the pigs to be the "cleverest of the animals." This is clearly an advantage and so leads to the pigs taking over the farm. There is a sense of leadership very soon after Old Major's death as the three pigs, Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer arrange meetings with the other animals and already begin to give orders. "You do not need sugar," says Snowball. It is evident here that Snowball believes that he has power over the other animals already. Further on during the second chapter Snowball and Napoleon send for a ladder, proving that they think they can use the animals to do jobs and progresses more in chapter 3 when they believe that they can direct and supervise the other animals and not actually do the work themselves. In chapter two Napoleon says, "Comrade Napoleon will lead the way." Using the word "lead" shows that the pigs think of themselves as more than just teachers and even have their own headquarters soon after. It is clear to us that the pigs are using their intelligence to trick the other animals and play mind games with them.

   Orwell describes Snowball as a "more vivacious pig than Napoleon." We can see this whilst he is still on the farm, as he is always doing things to benefit the whole of the farm, not just himself whereas Napoleon is. "Snowball made a little speech, emphasizing the need for all animals to be ready to die for Animal farm if need be." It is evident from this quote that Snowball is very passionate about the farm and will do anything to improve it. His passion for the farm is very much shown at the battle of the cowshed where he is in charge of the attack against Jones and other farmers. He makes the first attack against them and says to the animals, "No sentimentality, comrade! War is war. The only good human being is a dead one." This quote proves to us that Animalism is very important to Snowball. Orwell also describes Snowball to be "quicker in speech." We can see that he is a brilliant speaker and uses this as a persuasive way to the control the animals instead of using force. Snowball also uses his intelligence to convince the birds that their wings are considered as legs. He says "A bird's wing, comrades, is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation. It should therefore be regarded as a leg."

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   Snowball is considered to be the most intelligent of the pigs. It is evident that this is true when he plans to build a windmill to supply electricty on the farm. "He was closeted there for hours at a time." This quote shows again Snowball's strong passion for the farm as he spends hours working on plans for innovations and improvements. Napoleon cannot accept that Snowball is the cleverest out of them both and this is proved to us again when Snowball makes Animal Comittees to teach the animals to read and write as Napoleon claimis that the education ...

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