Animal Farm
George Orwell (1945)
“A fairy tale for adults: seven commandments, one pig, and the most efficient political horror story ever written at 112 pages.”
Character Analysis
Berkshire boar, 'not much of a talker,' 'fierce-looking,' 'with a reputation for getting his own way.' Orwell gives Napoleon almost no positive qualities from the start — his rise to power is not the corruption of a virtuous leader but the victory of a competent autocrat. He is Stalin: not the revolution's betrayer but its hijacker. His intelligence is entirely strategic; his vision extends no further than his own authority.
Almost never speaks directly to the animals — communicates through Squealer or decrees. When he does speak, uses the royal first person and formal constructions. Increasing distance from direct address mirrors increasing autocracy.