Benjamin

__ Benjamin __ "hunger, hardship, and disappointment [is the] unalterable law of life." (Orwell, 1992)


 * __ Who is Benjamin﻿? __**

In the novel Animal Farm the character Benjamin is defined as "the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered" (4) and that whenever he talked it was to share a "cynical remark." Benjamin is very cynical about the revolution of Animal Farm and is also cynical about life in general. Benjamin is believed to represent the Russian population of the time of the Russian Revolution.

__** Parallels **__

-cynical about the Animal Farm revolution, just as the population of Russia was during their Revolution.

-when Benjamin was asked about the Revolution he stated: "things never had been, or ever could be much better or much worse - hunger, hardship, and disappointment being the unalterable law of life." This is also the attitude that the bulk of the Russian population had. They didn't entirely believe that the Revolution would change anything.

-Benjamin tended to keep his mouth shut about the going ons of the new farm after the Revolution. During the Russian Revolution, the much of the people who did not believe in communism kept their mouth closed in order to not get harmed.

__** ﻿ **** Quotes: **__

-"Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time, never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only 'Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey,' and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer." (56)

-"the oldest animal on the farm and the worst tempered. He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark." (4)

-"“more morose and taciturn than ever”" (55)

-"Benjamin was the only animal that did not side with either faction." (36)

-"Benjamin, as usual, said that he refused to meddle in such matters." (63)

__** More Research: **__ About the Russian Revolution More About Benjamin


 * __ References: __**

Orwell, G. (1992). Animal Farm. Evansto ﻿ n, IL: McDougal ﻿ Li ﻿ ttell. Vagner, Anna. (2009). Animal farm vs. russian revolution. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/21266578/Animal-Farm-vs-Russian-Revolution Lamont, George. (2009). Animal farm - comparison of characters to the russian revolution. Retrieved from http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~sbennet3/mead/lessonplans/animalfarm.htm