Animal Farm Character Quotations edexcel 2-Post-1914-Literature

Key word or phrase to memorise: “our usefulness” and “slaughtered”

What the quotation means: Old Major tells the animals that he wants to pass on some important lessons that he has learned over the course of his life, and give them some hard truths about their powerless position on the farm 

Theme: Equality

• Orwell introduces Old Major as wise and kind:

  • He advises the animals to stop being exploited for their “usefulness”

  • This presents ideas about the abuse of power and revolution

• His character inspires rebellion (which makes up the rest of the narrative after he dies):

  • The emotive description of the farmer’s plans, “hideous cruelty”, conveys an urgent warning

  • His rhetoric instructs the animals to fight for their lives

Key word or phrase to memorise: “conquered” and “adopt his vices”

What the quotation means:

Old Major tells the animals that once they have defeated the farmers (humans), they should ensure that they do not become like them and develop their weaknesses

Theme: Leadership 

• Through Old Major’s warning, Orwell foreshadows the transfer of power that occurs later:

  • Old Major predicts the farmer’s downfall with the dynamic verb “conquered”

  • The imperative “do not” instructs the animals not to abuse any power that they achieve

  • It presents him as a self-assured and scrupulous leader

• Old Major’s attitude towards humans is conveyed with the word “vices”:

  • He implies that they are weak

Key word or phrase to memorise: “beasts alone” 

What the quotation means:

Old Major sings a “stirring” song about the rebellion, and visualises abundant fields where only animals live

Theme: Equality 

• Orwell illustrates how Old Major’s persuasive words inspire the animals to rebel: 

  • The alliterative “fruitful fields” depicts a prosperous future for the animals 

• Old Major’s call for equality, though, describes segregation rather than harmony:

  • The emotive “beasts alone” implies a shift of power from humans to animals

  • Perhaps Orwell hints at the challenges ahead in Old Major’s quest for equality

Key word or phrase to memorise: “Animal Farm”

What the quotation means:

Napoleon makes his own amendments to the initial resolutions that were made for fair governance under animal rule, but pretends to ally himself with the animals by ending his speech with their slogan

Theme: Leadership 

• Orwell uses Napoleon to represent the idea of self-promotion and abuse of power:

  • Once in control, he gives a speech in which he dictates new resolutions

  • He silences any challenge (the dogs growl at the young pigs)

  • He feigns solidarity with the animals by chanting their slogan