"There are many minor characters in 'Animal Farm'. All of them have some importance to the total message that the author was trying to convey."
"These notes discuss many of the minor characters; mention who the corresponding historical figure is, if there is one; and say what Orwell's purpose might have been in creating each."
" "
"*Benjamin"
"Benjamin the donkey is the oldest animal on the farm and may also be the wisest. He sees through the pigs' exploitation of the other animals, but his cynical, pessimistic nature prevents him from doing anything about it."
"He represents the disillusioned people who realise the revolution is pointless."
7
"*Moses"
"Moses the pet raven is a spy and a tale-bearer and a sweet talker who tells the animals of a beautiful place called Sugarcandy Mountain where they will go when they die."
"He represents religion, at first not welcome in Russia after the Revolution, but then accepted as a means of keeping the people contented."
" "
"*Mollie"
"Mollie is the silly and vain white mare. She has no liking for the hard life after the Rebellion and quickly returns to the world of men and physical comfort."
"She represents the vain, idle hangers on in the court of the Tsar, whose life of luxury is spoiled by the Revolution."
7
"*The Cat"
"The cat is lazy and independent. She avoids work whenever possible, often with some plausible excuse."
"She represents those people in society who adapt to whatever the conditions are, but who never accept any responsibility or make any commitments."
" "
"*Minimus"
"A pig who is a kind of official poet and song-writer, composing trite verses to praise Napoleon and Animal Farm."
"Someone like Minimus would be necessary to aid the propaganda agents."
7
"*Clover"
"Compassionate, gentle and a little stupid, Clover is like Boxer."
"Like Boxer too. she represents the ordinary working people."
" "
"*The sheep"
"The sheep are the stupidest animals on the farm. They can be easily convinced of anything by the sharp-witted pigs, and they even change their views completely with a little prompting."
"The sheep represent the ignorant masses of people in a country who blindly follow the instructions of whoever happens to be in power at the moment."
7
"*The Dogs"
"The dogs raised by Napoleon are trained to be vicious and blindly obedient to their 'master'."
"They represent Stalin's secret police, the NKVD, who also used brutal methods to intimidate anyone who might be considered Stalin's rival."
" "
"*The humans"
"Frederick represents the leaders of Germany e.g. Hitler; while Pilkington represents the leaders of Britain e.g. Churchill."
"The only other human of any importance is Whymper, a slimy character who is obviously only interested in his own selfish needs."
