First, perhaps no book has connected animals to their human counterparts better than Animal Farm. Orwell's beasts serve as representations of important characters from the World War II era and beyond. For example, Karl Marx, the inventor of the communist movement, was represented by Old Major, the most important animal on the farm until his death. Just like Old Major, Marx was a visionary who dreamed of equality. The Old Major states: "Isn't it therefore very clear, comrades, that all the evils of this life of ours derive from the tyranny of human beings? All we have to do is get rid of Man and the product of our labor will be ours. Almost from one day to the next we could become rich and free. What should we do then? Why, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race. This is my message to you, comrades: Rebellion!" (Orwell, Animal Farm, 30). Furthermore, he inspired the leading Russian Social Democratic Party, led by rivals Joseph Stalin and Leon Trostky. Napoleon is represented by Joseph Stalin and, just like him, builds loyalty within the communist party (pigs and dogs) so he can overthrow Snowball (Trostky). Snowball displays similar traits to Trotsky in that they both fight bravely in their respective battles. Trotsky was an important component to the victory in the Russian Civil War, Snowball demonstrated this courage during the Battle of the Stable. The executed chickens, geese and sheep are a representation of the millions of people who opposed Stalin and were banished and killed as a result. Chickens and geese are not known for their docile nature and are perfect rebels. Furthermore, the metamorphosis of the pigs' faces and behavior is symbolic of the transition from an initially popular government to... means of paper... an encyclopedia. “Russian Revolution” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution October 9, 2013About.com. “Joseph Stalin”. http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/ss/Stalin_5.htm 9 October 2013BBC. “Hitler's invasion of Russia in World War II” http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/hitler_russia_invasion_01.shtml 9 October 2013Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. "Reinforcement". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Brief_history October 18, 2013Kreis, Steven. “The Guide to History: Lessons in Modern European Intellectual History.” http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/marx.html October 18, 2013BooksOrwell, George.1984. London: Frederic Warburg, 1949. PrintOrwell, George. Animal farm. London: Secker and Warburg, 1945. PrintThorndike, E. L. The Elements of Psychology. New York: A. G. Seiler, 1905. Print