Character Analysis — Napoleon & Snowball

Napoleon and Snowball are the two most important characters in Animal Farm. Understanding their individual characterisations, their rivalry, and how Orwell uses them to explore the corruption of revolution is essential for GCSE success. This lesson traces both characters through the novel, with key quotes and analysis.

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Napoleon's Arc

Napoleon's journey can be mapped across four stages:

  Quiet Schemer → Dictator → Tyrant → Indistinguishable from Humans
     (Ch 1-4)       (Ch 5-6)    (Ch 7-9)          (Ch 10)

Stage 1: The Quiet Schemer (Chapters 1-4)

Napoleon is introduced as "a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way." This description is crucial — from the very start, Orwell signals that Napoleon operates through manipulation rather than persuasion.

While Snowball leads openly, Napoleon works behind the scenes:

• He takes the nine puppies from their mothers, claiming he will "educate" them — in reality, he is training a private army.
• He contributes little to the committees and projects that Snowball organises.
• He urinates on Snowball's windmill plans — a crude gesture of contempt.