Animal Farm Character Analysis Essay

1. Animal Farm Character Analysis Essay Example: Mr. Whymper

2. Introduction • Animal Farm is a famous allegory written by George Orwell. On the surface it seems to be a story of a farm gone wrong, but as the reader digs deeper into the symbolism they discover there is much more to this “fairy tale.” George Orwell used his story of animals revolting against their human leader to critique Stalin’s terrible reign over Russia. Every major character and event in this story represents historical events and figures. One particular character is Mr. Whymper. Thesis: Mr. Whymper, in Animal Farm, represents the Western World. George Orwell develops this idea throughout the novel, as well as the theme that ultimate power corrupts (choose a theme/message George Orwell is trying to convey).

3. Three supporting topics • Encounters with Napoleon • Tricked about the famine. • Spreads Animal Farm news.

4. Paragraph One • Topic Sentence Mr. Whymper is submissive in his encounters with Napoleon which symbolizes the Western World’s interaction with Stalin. • Example Napoleon on 4 legs, Mr. Whymper on 2 taking orders. • Quotation “…the sight of Napoleon, on all fours, delivering orders to Whymper who stood on two legs, roused their pride…(65). • Comment Mr. Whymper acted very quiet, as if dominated. The Western World kept track of Russia and Stalin, but never really did anything. This shows how Stalin’s ultimate and unquestioned power corrupted the cause in Russia.

5. Paragraph Two • Topic Sentence Napoleon tricks Mr. W into thinking Animal farm is successful, which is a lie. This is the same as the famine in history. • Example The Russian Famine killed millions, but the western world turned their head and accepted the lies that things were going successfully due to the large export of farming goods. • Quotation “Napoleon was well aware of the bad results that might follow if the real facts of the food situation were known, and he decided to make use of Mr. Whymper to spread a contrary impression…he was deceived, and he continued to report to the outside world that there was no food shortage on Animal Farm” (75). • Comment Not only did Napoleon lie about the famine to Mr. Whymper, he refused to let the animals speak out about it, furthering the lie. The rest of the animal world was deceived, as was the rest of the real world in history.

6. Paragraph Three • Topic Sentence: Napoleon used Mr. Whymper to spread Animal Farm news which was often untrue, rather than letting its success speak for itself. • Example: Mr. Whymper, as the Western World, accepted napoleon’s reports as truth and took those stories to other farms. These stories were lies since Animalism was not successful. Napoleon wouldn’t view it as failure, particularly because he was living the good life, but also because he had a master plan that did not leave room for defeat. Mr. Whymper willingly spread these fictitious rumors, much like the Western visitors who believed the lies they were told and praised Communist Russia for its “accomplishments”. In fact, Mr. Whymper started doing Napoleon’s dirty work via negotiations for the lumber. • Quotation “…Whymper was negotiating the purchase of it…”(98). • Comment: • Mr. Whymper was happy to believe and spread the lies Napoleon told him. He even took part in the dark dealings of Animal Farm. In doing so, he encouraged Napoleon’s corruption and ultimately the demise of Animal Farm.

7. Conclusion (restatement of the thesis) • Mr. Whymper, as the western world, reveals many truths about Russian History. George Orwell shows this by developing his character in similar ways to that of history. Ultimately, Mr. Whymper’s character helps develop the theme that ultimate power corrupts, especially when major powers choose to ignore reality.

8. Themes in Animal Farm • The Corruption of Communist Ideals in the Soviet Union. • The Danger of a Naïve Working Class. • What causes a revolution to fail? • Ultimate power corrupts. • An equal society with one tyrannous leader cannot succeed. • Blind devotion can lead to the demise of a government/people. • Use of propaganda amidst a blind public will promote any leader. • Animal Farm is a historical allegory that criticizes communism/Stalin/Russia. • George Orwell uses symbolism to examine the Russian Revolution. • Intelligence and Education as Tools of Oppression • Violence and Terror as Means of Control • The need for class stratification cannot be overcome. • The use of a common enemy to gain control.