"*Major represents the historical figure of Karl Marx, and also to some extent, Lenin."
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"Old Major only appears in the first chapter of the novel, but he is very important because it is his ideas which spark off the rebellion."
"He is an old Middle White boar, greatly respected by the other animals on the farm. He is a good speaker who cleverly arouses the enthusiasm of the other animals for his cause."
"Notice the brilliant touch of finishing his speech with the song 'Beasts of England', which stirs all the animals up to a fever pitch."
5
"In fact, Major's speech is a good example of a political speech, full of persuasion and emotive language, but with very little substance."
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"Major dies before the Rebellion, but he is clearly the 'Father' of the Revolution, whose thoughts and vision of a better society awaken the desire to rebel in the minds of others."
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"Through the character of Major, Orwell is criticising those politicians and thinkers who create unrest by proposing ideas which are sound in theory, but are too idealistic to work out in practice."
