Joseph Stalin
After the founder of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lenin (Old Major) died in 1924, Joseph Stalin (Napoleon) became the leader of the Soviet Union (Animal Farm) as the previous General Secretary of the Communist Party. Stalin ruled the Soviet Union for 29 years before his death in 1953.[1] Under Stalin's dominance, the Soviet Union was transformed from a peasant society into an industrial and military superpower. However, millions of his own citizens died during his ferocious reign as he ruled by terror[2]; He was best known for being a heartless leader who was responsible for more than 20 millions deaths. [1]
In the novel, as the parallel character of Joseph Stalin, Napoleon is portrayed as a cruel and ferocious leader. However, other than the personality, George Orwell also chose to represent the leaders as pigs because pigs are stereotypically considered as dirty, greedy, and less admirable amongst any other animals. Through this, Orwell is attempting to convey that pigs are similar to humans, greedy for power, lazy, etc. making us aware of the worst human characteristics. Bits and pieces of examples are often shown throughout the novel such as the pigs getting all the apples and milk, and the pigs not required to work whereas the other animals are working to their death just for the pigs' benefits. This successfully shows the readers the dark side of human characteristics, and further reflects upon many current societies and the society during the Russian Revolution where the leaders are enjoying luxurious lives and international status whereas the welfare of Russia and the lives of common peasants remained unchanged.