Why does George Orwell choose the animals he does in his novel Animal Farm?

certainly
did put in a great deal of work to fill his novel with
symbolism to illustrate his . We can see symbolic
reasons behind his animal choices.


uses pigs to symbolize the
leaders of what was actually the Bolshevik
Revolution and the start of communism in Russia
because pigs are actually known to be the most intelligent animals
found on a farm, next to dogs. Studies have shown that pigs are able to use mirrors to their
advantage and do all kinds of tricks, including "jump hoops, bow and stand, spin and make
wordlike sounds on command, roll out rugs, herd sheep, close and open cages, play videogames
with joysticks, and more" (Angier, "Pigs Prove to be Smart, if Not Vain"). Hence,
it was most definitely appropriate for Orwell to symbolize Carl
Marx, leader of Russia's communist revolution, as an old, wise pig
named . What's more, pigs are also known to represent
uncleanliness as can be seen in the fact that they are known to wallow in mud and
eat any slop and in the fact that pigs are forbidden cuisine in many religions like Judaism.
Uncleanliness can also be likened to moral
depravity; hence, it's also very fitting for Orwell to use the
pigto symbolize Stalin, the pigto symbolize Trotsky, and other pigs
to represent other aspects of Stalin's regime.


is a horse whose motto is always "I will work harder."
Boxer symbolizes the Russian people in general.
Horses are known for their loyalty and
their willingness to work, making horses a perfect way to symbolize
the willing people of Russia.

Benjamin is a
donkey who always questions the rightness of the pigs and refuses
to do as they say because he sees any action as being futile; no matter what anyone does,
"hunger, hardship, and disappointment" will always be, as he says, "the
unalterable law of life" (Ch. X). What's more, Benjamin remembers every detail of the
farm's difficult life. Benjamin symbolizes the older, cynical Russian
citizens who did not believe communism would benefit society and even saw
communism's evil side. Using a donkey is a perfect way to symbolize cynical citizens because
donkeys are known to be stubborn, have
good memories, and are unwilling to do anything
that's not safe (Mike's Donkeys, href="http://www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk/facts.html">"Donkey
Facts").

href="http://www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk/facts.html">http://www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk/facts.html