Kyra Cooperman

12/16/14
Animal Farm In Class Essay

Leaders by Action
The allegorical novel Animal Farm, written by George Orwell,
reflects upon the different opinions throughout the Russian Revolution
of 1917. The various groups of characters, including pigs, horses,
sheep and fowls, each portray a different type of group in the
revolution; and every event directly corresponds to one of the
revolution. Pigs assume the leadership roles, while horses act as the
working class. Through the characters Mollie and Clover, Orwell
critiques the attitudes of privileged and obnoxious participants in the
Russian Revolution, as well as the participants without privileges and
who were taken advantage, of regardless of their hard work.
Mollie represents the upper class of Russia, who was not willing
to make the sacrifices that Russia asked of them and left. At the start
of the novel, Mollie appears to be an important and present character,
but quickly disappears to the neighboring farm. As a citizen who has
much more to lose than to gain, she is not able to get used to the
animals new lifestyle, which is much more about needs opposed to
wants. Upon walking through the Jones house, it is said that, She had
taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. Joness dressing table, and was
holding it against her shoulder and admiring herself in the glass in a
very foolish manor(Orwell, 16). Mollie leaves the rest of the animals to
go do something for herself. She believes that she has more privileges
than the others, which goes against the concept of communism. In
order for life to get better, there are times when giving something up is
necessary. Mollie does not even attempt to make these sacrifices, and
finds the items she wants elsewhere. After Clover sees Mollie receiving
sugar from a farmer, she investigates and sees that, Hidden under the

straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of
different colours(34). Mollie hides these extravagancies from the other
animals, which makes her a liar, as well as lazy and obnoxious. Fleeing
the farm is representative of the people who left Russia for countries
such as Great Britain and the United States, where they could have a
better life for themselves.
The working classes of Russia, or Bolsheviks, are represented by
Clover, who works harder than most, but does not receive anything in
return. Bolshevik means one of the many in Russian. Often times,
these people are self-disciplined and centralized, with a large human
capital. The only problem with Bolsheviks gaining leadership is that
they did not have the intelligence or cunningness of leaders such as
Stalin. Similarly, this situation occurs with Boxer and Clover. When the
pigs begin to abuse power, Clover sees it, but is easily persuaded
otherwise. After questioning why the pigs are sleeping in beds, Clover
asks Muriel to read her the commandment and then says, Curiously
enough, Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment
mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall, it must have done
so(48). Clover is right that this commandment is not the original, but
she does not think that her memory is better than what is thought to
be the rules of the farm. Also, she does not want to doubt the
leadership of Napoleon, whom is thought so highly of by other animals
on the farm. As the pigs abuse of power grows greater, they begin to
go against the commandments and kill other animals. Clover knows
that killing is not acceptable, but does not do anything about it. After
thinking about what to do, its decided that, Whatever happened she
would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given
to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon(61). Although ignorant,
Clover remains to be a faithful and determined member of the farm.
She works hard to create a better life for herself and others; but her
reasoning for the work is because it is what Napoleon convinces her to

do, not what she chooses. Clover does not know well enough to make
smart decisions and be a leader, but she has an attitude of great
strength and resilience, which is necessary to the growth of Animal
Farm.
In Animal Farm, pigs rise up as leaders because they are believed
to be the best for the job. As they gain power, they also acquire
privileges that are deemed necessary. With all of the animals having
different strengths, they allow the ones who are intelligent to lead,
opposed to the loyal and hardworking animals. Education seems to be
the biggest privilege held on the farm, which animals such as Clover
and Mollie are not fortunate enough to receive. Mollie is not interested
in the revolution because it does not affect herself, but Clover only
follows because that is what she is told to do.
I have completed this assignment in accordance with the Newark
Academy honor code.