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Natalie Rivera

English 10

Mrs. Johnson

October 16, 2024

Animal Farm: An Essay

In George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” readers can find that there are two types of

people being represented by the characters: those who take advantage of others, and the people

who let them. While the victims in this scenario may not be inflicting harm upon others, they are

still choosing to be bystanders, which is just as awful. A key example of these similar behaviors

would be the characters Benjamin and Squealer. Although they are on opposing sides, Benjamin

is just as bad as Squealer.

Although not fully understood at the beginning of the story, it soon becomes quite clear

that Benjamin and Squealer are only slightly different, due to the very contrasting ways they

communicate with others. For example, as the pigs begin to take charge of the farm after the

expulsion of their former “dictator” Mr. Jones, readers are introduced to Squealer, who is

described as “... a brilliant talker, and when he was arguing some difficult point, he had a way of

skipping side to side and whisking his tail, which was somehow very persuasive” (Orwell 16).

In contrast, when Benjamin the donkey is introduced, Orwell writes: “He (Benjamin) seldom

talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark…” (Orwell 5). But

consumers of this book should not be so quick to conclude that the way both characters
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communicate and present themselves makes all the difference, as the way they speak and present

themselves is the only difference between the two.

Alternatively, readers can find much more in common between the two characters,

because they both do not speak the truth about what is happening in the story. For instance,

following the executions of the so-called “traitor” animals, “Clover asked Benjamin to read her

the Sixth Commandment… Benjamin, as usual, said that he refused to meddle with such

matters” (Orwell 91). This demonstrates that even though Benjamin can read the Sixth

Commandment and fully understands what the pigs are doing, he will not reveal the truth to the

others to save himself. Benjamin also has no excuse not to read aloud the new rules and clearly

explain what is taking place to the animals, since “Benjamin could read as well as any pig…

there was nothing worth reading” (Orwell 32). A basic definition of this type of behavior would

be carelessness Benjamin knows that his ability to read is a gateway to the animals figuring out

the pigs and their corruptness. Squealer also demonstrates the same evading nature as Benjamin.

As the animals discussed the topic of who was responsible for and supported the idea of a wind

mill for Animal Farm in the first place, Squealer slyly attempts to gaslight the other animals into

believing that it was Napoleon rather than their favorite scapegoat Snowball that had been behind

the windmill the whole time. When the animals question this false claim, Squealer is quick to

speak in complex vocabulary in order to confuse the others. “‘Tactics, comrades, tactics!’ he

said, skipping around and whisking his tail… the animals were not certain what the word

meant… they accepted his explanation without further question” (Orwell 58). Also, when the

pigs begin sleeping in the farmhouse, the other animals check the Seven commandments, which

they thought contained a commandment prohibiting animals from sleeping in beds, only to find
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out that was not the case. Squealer then says: “You did not suppose, surely, that there was ever a

ruling against beds” (Orwell 67)? Both of these quotes show that Squealer is obviously trying to

keep the animals from the truth, deceiving them with advanced words and lying to them about

past laws that the pigs changed. this whole time, Benjamin also knows exactly what is going on,

and yet he just stands by and lets it happen.

Similarly, the two characters also share the same mindset of understanding the

consequences of their actions, yet they still go on with them. Recurring evidence of this is one of

Squealer's famous sayings when the animals question new rules: “ Surely there is no one among

you who wants Jones to come back” (Orwell 70)? Squealer understands that the animals will do

anything asked of them to keep Jones from returning, including working themselves to death.

And just like Benjamin, he does nothing about it. Speaking of Benjamin, when Squealer is

caught in the act of changing yet another commandment (unbeknownst to the other animals)

Orwell shows readers yet another example of Benjamin’s superior common sense. “None of the

animals could form any idea as to what this meant, except Benjamin, who nodded his muzzle

with a knowing air… but would say nothing” (Orwell 109). This means that even though

Benjamin knows that the hypocritical pigs are changing the laws to better adjust to their new

lifestyles, he selfishly keeps to himself to not be persecuted, and continues to allow the rest of

the animals to become brainwashed zombies. But zombies are not the only things Benjamin will

let these animals become. Him and the animals (excluding the pigs, of course) all work like

slaves on a windmill for the farm for years, having it torn down by a storm and building it up

again. Soon after they finish building the second windmill, Frederick ( a farmer looking to take

down Animal Farm) shows up and blows up all of the animals' hard work. While Frederick and
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his men are in the process of setting up the explosives, the animals cannot seem to understand

what they are doing. But Benjamin does. “Slowly, with an air almost of amusement, Benjamin

nodded his long muzzle” (Orwell 102). This proves that Benjamin Himself knew all along that

his and the other animals' hard labor was all for nothing and yet let it continue. Squealer also has

Secrets he's kept the whole time. Before the overthrowing of Jones, Old Major warned that if

Jones continued to lead, the animals would give up everything. when the pigs came to power,

"One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens.. must surrender their eggs” (Orwell

76). Squealer knew all along that even when new people are in charge, the animals would still

have to sacrifice just as much.

It is understandable to not at first see the incredible, awful similarities between Benjamin

and Squealer. But do not be completely fooled by the “helpless bystander” facade that Orwell

paints Benjamin to be. Yes, Squealer is one of the main, outright villains, but if past political

catastrophes have taught people anything, it is that bystanders are just as cruel as the bad guys.

From not telling the truth about what is really happening, to fully understanding the

consequences of their Dreadful actions, there shouldn't be no doubt in anyone's minds that

Benjamin is just as bad as Squealer.