Because Animal Farm is an allegory, all characters are important. One of these characters is Snowball. Snowball’s intellect and passion are significant characteristics that make him stand out from the other animals. He also directly connects to Leon Trotsky, a Soviet Politician who opposed Joseph Stalin. Snowball’s actions, traits, and relation to Trotsky show how even those who are thoughtful can be corrupted by power.
Snowball’s distinguishing traits are his passion and his intelligence. These traits show through his actions. Snowball’s passion is what drives him and his intelligence dictates how he gets things done. One example of this is when he organizes the animals before and after the revolution. Before the Rebellion, the pigs were
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Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary with a great impact on the Bolshevik party (BBC). He was against Stalin’s views, causing him to be expelled from Russia and later killed. Nearly all of Snowball’s actions can be linked back to Trotsky. For instance, Snowball’s role in the Battle of the Cowshed can be connected to Trotsky’s role in the Russian Civil War. During the Russian Civil War, Trotsky was war commissar for the Red Army. Using his tactfulness, he was able to build up the Red Army and contributed in defeating the White Forces. Similarly, Snowball’s tactfulness as head of defensive operations built up Animal Farm’s defense and contributed to the victory over Jones. How Snowball was expelled from Animal Farm can also connect to Trotsky. As mentioned previously, Trotsky was against Stalin’s views. This resulted in him being exiled from his party in 1927 after Stalin seized power. Later, he was expelled from all of Russia. From 1936 to 1940, he spent the rest of his life writing in Mexico before being assassinated by Stalinist Ramon Merceder. Likewise, Snowball constantly disagreed with Napoleon. “Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted on to oppose it (31).” In this case, Stalin is represented by Napoleon. Further along in the …show more content…
At first glance, Snowball may seem like an ideal leader— he cares about Animal Farm, he’s likable, and he is very reasonable. Yet, he is not without his flaws and his actions can be corrupt. To illustrate, when the pigs take the milk and apples for themselves, Snowball agrees with the decision instead of opposing it (35). This goes against his ideals by suggesting pigs are superior to the other animals, rather than them being equal. Going against his beliefs isn’t the only way he causes corruption. In some cases, he causes corruption by being overly passionate about his beliefs. When Boxer thinks he’s killed a stable-lad during the Battle of the Cowshed, Snowball replies, “No sentimentality, comrade! War is war. The only good human being is a dead one.” This shows how Snowball is committed to the revolution to the point of being willing to kill for it. While this does not do any direct harm, it does set an example for the other animals and may have lead to them being devoted to the revolution to the point of listening to Napoleon. These are just two examples of power causing Snowball to cause corruption. Other points in the story suggest Snowball would have become even more corrupt if it weren’t for Napoleon. When asked whether or not he wanted Snowball’s windmill, Benjamin the donkey refuses to believe it will make life better or worse. He remarks that, “Windmill or no windmill, life
Snowball the mirror image of Leon Trotsky, in all except appearance is the most promising leader of Animal Farm. Like Trotsky, Snowball is a kind ruler who is best interested in the prosperity and happiness of his ?comrades?. Snowball brought literacy and equality to Animal Farm through his teachings, and the writing of the Seven Commandments. Another way in which Snowball is similar to Trotsky is his role in the Battle of the Cowshed, where he organized the farms defenses and was the key to victory. Much like when Leon Trotsky organized the Red Army. Both Snowball and Trotsky were excellent public speakers and could win a crowds favor easily. ?Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive, but was not considered to have the same ...
When Lenin died in 1924, a struggle for power began between Trotsky (Snowball) and Stalin (Napoleon). Trotsky was a brilliant individual, but Stalin was just a simple person whose power was based on allegiances with other members of the communist party rather than on ideas. This is contrary to how Snowball was the more intelligent one of the two and all the sheep and pigs were loyal to Napoleon. Trotsky believed in Russia’s trying to spread communism all over the world as Snowball’s purpose with animalism and Stalin was more focused on the prosperity of Russia, as was Napoleon about the wellness of the farm. By 1929, Stalin had gathered enough resources to exile Trotsky from Russia just as Napoleon did to Snowball.
As soon as Snowball was expelled Napoleon put his plan into action by saying that Snowball was a dangerous character and a bad influence and that was the reason why he was firstly opposed to the idea of building the windmill. In his propaganda he made the animals believe that the windmill should be built for their own benefit but he actually he wanted to use it to keep the animals busy building the windmill so they wouldn’t have any time to rebel. Napoleon was creating the illusion to the animals that their lives would be easier after the construction of the windmill. Napoleon provoked hatred against Snowball to ensure that he didn’t have an opponent. Napoleon was able to manipulate the animals with his propaganda.
In Animal Farm, the pigs relate and connect to Joseph Stalin and the Russian Revolution because they both had power and gained leadership through agitprop technics (Stults). “How easily totalitarian propaganda can control the opinion of enlightened people.” -George Orwell. This famous piece of literature, Animal Farm, was written by George Orwell himself around 1917 to 1945 after WWII because peasant farmers wanted to have a better life in general. In the book, Napoleon shortly becomes the leader after the rebellion. Just as Stalin had done, Napoleon used military force onto the animals and intimidates them. Snowball represents Trotsky because he is a forward-thinking politician that wants to improve and help out with the windmill, but is chased out by vicious dogs Napoleon sends before he can do so. Like Stalin, the pigs build up and gain their power by manipulating the animals with propaganda techniques.
Griffin Riley 2/20/14 176. ANIMAL FARM Animal Farm teaches about communism because of its characters. Napoleon was based on a famous Russian dictator named Joseph Stalin. The next character is named Snowball, who is based on Leon Trotsky because he was another Russian leader. Between these three characters, I will show the relationship between the animals and real life communism.
Since the animals defeated Mr. Jones, “ And so, almost before they knew what was happening the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled, and the Manor farm was their,” (39). What occurred here was with the the inspiration Old Major left behind after his death, pigs Napoleon and Snowball were the new leaders of the rebellion, and successfully fought Mr. Jones and his men by the animals attacking them. All the animals were ecstatic about their new found freedom, and to only have to worry about themselves, not some humans. The leaders together were very good at keeping the farm in good shape, with Snowball being very good with words, and Napoleon very good with getting his own way. The only bad thing about this pair is that they argue a lot about the decisions of the farm, and can never agree with one another. Until one day when Napoleon starts speaking ill of the co-leader Snowball, making Snowball get a bad reputation, an example is, “do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!” (82). This is clearly false for the reason that the windmill was torn apart by the wind, yet Napoleon is so manipulative and wants Snowball to
corruption gradually earns its meaning. When Napoleon forces Snowball to leave the farm, the power is all his. Napoleon fixes anything that goes wrong on the farm simply by blaming Snowball. He insists that Snowball had always planned everything in order to
Snowball is a white pig on the animal farm. He is a benevolent leader, if he can be called a “leader” at all. He never actually dictates or makes decisions by himself. Rather, he informs the animals of the situation and organizes the outcome of their joint agreement. Snowball is injured in the battle between the farmers and the animals. Then, dogs trained to serve Napoleon chase him away from the farm. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky in the Russian Revolution.
Snowball is the other main leader in animalism, along side Napoleon. He was the one who was most interested in the well being of the animals and their education. The complete opposite of Napoleon. I fell if he had not been chased away (assassinated) then the idea of communism may have succeeded.
Snowball is a “vivacious pig… quicker in speech and more inventive, but was not considered to have the same depth of character” (Orwell, 13). Snowball is a brilliant speaker who “won over the majority by his brilliant speeches” (43). Snowball is lively and friendly, and truly believes that all animals are equal. He believes in Animalism, where all animals shared equal labor and the fruits of their labor. He believes in the seven commandments and later creates committees for animals to learn in. Snowball has the idea of building a windmill that “so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week” (46). Snowball is the visionary of Old Major’s beliefs, and striving to make the farm a better place for the animals. Snowball acknowledges that power can be a corrupting influence, b...
Let’s get back in time for a while to the Russian revolution. In 1924, when Lenin died, Trotsky and Stalin competed for authority and position. Trostky was a bright, brilliant personality, while Stalin was simple and not as bright. Trotsky believed in putting a conclusion to Russia’s attempts to spread communism all over the world. Stalin was more focused on the prosperity of Russia, In Animal Farm, as we can compare, Snowball had the perception and sharp intellect and as the source of ideas and resolution.
Later in the novel, Squealer claims that Napoleon is a suitable leader for animal farm, and explains that Snowball is a traitor. Squealer supports this idea by comparing Snowball to Napoleon. The animals were confused on why Snowball was chased off the farm. One of the animal...
Napoleon’s greatest challenger is Snowball. Napoleon has been evil from the start but now, with Mr. Jones gone there is no-one strong enough to oppose him. He can finally do as he pleases. He only needs to convince the animals. He has always wanted his own way and it seems he will go as far as it takes, even condemn Snowball’s work on the windmill. He knows very well that with the construction of the windmill under Snowball’s guidance, Snowball will be viewed as ‘better’ and would give him power. Power, that he believes, is rightfully his. He knows the windmill will benefit his welfare yet he is still willing to oppose this idea in order to keep Snowball from taking any power. Snowball was a real threat to Napoleon. Unfortunatel...
Snowball and Napoleon held a great deal of contrast between the way they each ruled over “Animal Farm/Manor Farm.” The only thing he did lack, was the ability of pursuasion to the other animals. Snowball had all the right ideas, all to better the whole farm. Napoleon, on the other hand, had a knack for stealing other animals’ ideas, then telling the rest it was his and getting credit for it. His ideas only seemed to benefit the pigs and not the animals. It was this, that led to the crumbling of the farm. Napoleons obsession with becoming the ruler is what got Snowball nearly killed by the dogs...in a plot made by Napoleon. Which then produced a whole new rebellion not of the animals to the humans, but of the animals to the pigs. So for these reasons, Snowball showed better qualities for leadership than Napoleon because he wasn’t selfish and thought about the future of “Animal Farm.” First, the dominated farm animals viewed Napoleon and Snowball differently at different times throughout the book. The way the animals reacted to each leader brought upon new problems of the farm. The animals respected Snowball, and believed that his teachings were all true and had a good cause. Although Snowball and Napoleon had superior qualities leadership, it was clearly Snowball who had the better qualities for running a farm. Under Snowballs’ rule, the animals were generally content with what was going on and were all for it if it was to better the farm. It was obvious that Napoleon had the better half of getting his own way on the farm. However, the animals had some problems with Napoleon but they didn’t know haw to express their feelings and show him that they didn’t like the way he ran things. It was the animals’ ignorance that helped keep Napoleon in rule for as long as it was. The responses were so different between the animals that it must have been a drastic change between Snowball and Napoleon.
The relationship surrounding Snowball and Napoleon in George Orwell's Animal Farm tends to be on rocky grounds. Snowball, a clever pig, tends to be loyal, brave, and outgoing. These are just a few excellent qualities of a leader. Napoleon, a boar, on the other hand, is quite frankly rude, wretched, and full of greed. Both have had their share of leadership on the farm, yet both have had their share of conflict as well.