Democracy gives one many rights, but when they are taken away; it creates a system where the only people prospering are the ones making the laws. Animal Farm is a symbolic novella by George Orwell. It is a story about the evolution of Communism in Russia, with each animal representing a different social class of that time period. Benjamin is a donkey on the Manor Farm, which was later known as the Animal Farm. He is one of the oldest animals on the farm as we see him alive in the last scene. Benjamin had very few appearances throughout the book, but his influence on the plot was very strong. The color black implies many things: observer, quiet, the unknown, mysterious, wise, and melancholy, and Orwell is successful in developing many of these characteristics in Benjamin. Orwell uses this color and shows Benjamin as the skeptical people of Russia while making some historical references.
Benjamin represents the skeptical people of Russia who believed that communism would not help their country, but they did not raise their voices in fear of losing their lives either. This goes back to the characteristics of the color black: the unknown and mysterious. He ensures that his opinions are not open to the animals of the farm. His thoughts are only expressed as words spoken under his breath. When the farm animals were asked to express their opinion through a vote, “Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction. He refused to believe either that food would become more plentiful or that the windmill would save work” (Orwell, 50). This shows how Benjamin does not want to influence or object to anything happening on the farm while keeping his opinions to himself. The purpose of Benjamin acting this way is to create an image for the reader showing that Benjamin does not stand up for himself just like the skeptical people of Russia who did not voice their opinion.
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Benjamin falls under the archetype of an observer, a character who often witnesses all that goes on but remains quiet and calm throughout. They are usually philosophical and every time they speak or act, it is important. Benjamin’s belief that nothing is worth reading changes at the end as he sees Boxer being taken away. Seeing his friend being taken away “[he] pushed [Muriel] aside and... read: “ ‘Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and Bone−Meal. Kennels Supplied.’... They are taking Boxer to the knackers!” ” (Orwell, 122) Only the pigs' betrayal of his friend, Boxer, encourages him to take action, which results in no change because he is too late. This shows how he will keep to himself until the situation is dire and out of his control. It is important for Benjamin to behave this way because the reader sees the result of the pressure the communist government had on the skeptical people.
Benjamin states that 'Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey' (Orwell, 30); this gives a lot of insight into his personality. Benjamin, using his life as an example, is telling the reader that major events, even revolutions, have little effect in the long run; eventually, everything will settle down. It does not matter if the Man or the pigs are in charge, democracy or communism in effect, things will neither improve nor get worse; 'Windmill or no windmill, he said, life would go on as it had always gone on that is, badly.” (Orwell, 51). Going back to the color black, this reveals that his personality is very pessimistic and melancholic. The purpose of this is to character foil Old Major, who shared his life experience with the farm animals to spark hope of change, and Benjamin, who fails in his responsibility of reminding the other animals about the old laws and sparking hope of renewal.
In conclusion, George Orwell is successful in building Benjamin’s personality around the archetypal color black because Benjamin has developed all if not most, personality traits represented by the color black while representing the skeptical people of Russia through him. Orwell’s writing style has made it possible to develop a character with very few appearances while maintaining the reader’s interest.
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