Napoleon is the pig which rises as the undisputed leader of the animal farm. Napoleon instigates a rebellion against the existing leadership of Mr. Jones and succeeds in his quest to lead the animal farm. About Joseph Stalin, Napoleon uses military power, represented by the nine dogs, to intimidate the other animals in the farm and the long run uses them to consolidate his power among in the farm. Napoleon is a very crafty Animal. He uses his abilities to outwit other animals and exercise total domination over them. He emerges to be more cunning than Snowball, his main challenger.

After the successful rebellion, Snowball emerges as the main challenger to the authority of Napoleon in the farm. Snowball is associated with Leon Trotsky whose intelligence, passion and eloquence place him above all the other animals. Due to these qualities, Snowball appears to win the loyalty of the other animals. That leads to the creation of two centers of power; Napoleon using his dogs to enforce his wish and Snowball using his charisma to win the loyalty of the animals.

Boxer is a cart-horse. He has incredible strength, dedication, and determination. He plays a critical role in the achievements of the animal farm, while at the same time contributing significantly to the completion of the windmill. While it is evident that the Boxer makes a lot of effort and leads to the prosperity of the farm, he is slow-witted and is incapable of making independent decisions. The Boxer is very naïve as he waits for the decisions of the pigs to guide his actions.  The Boxer has two mottoes. One says that ‘I will work harder' while the other says that, ‘Napoleon is always right.'

Squealer plays an important in the administration of Napoleon. His primary responsibility is to collect and spread propaganda for the benefit of Napoleon. The squealer provides incorrect statistics to just suggesting that the farmyard has achieved success during the reign of Napoleon. It is a statement that is attempting to justify the pigs' control over the farm's resources. Orwell has used the squealer to demonstrate the manner in which the people in authority use sweet words to twisting facts to allow them to maintain political control.

The old major is a boar that has attracted accolades for his apparent wit. Due to his articulation of the socialist vision of Utopia, the other animals came to realize that they have been deceived for long and that led to the rebellion. A few days after teaching the animals a song, ‘The Beasts of England', the old major dies. However, the other animals, at least, had gained insight on what the Old Major is saying. As he dies, he leaves behind ambitious animals in the forms of Napoleon and Snowball. In the character of Old Major, Orwell represented Karl Max and Vladimir Lenin.

Clover is a good friend of the Boxer. She is good-hearted, and like the Boxer, she works hard to improve the conditions of the firm. After observing the conduct of the pigs, the clover believes that they are breaking some of the seven commandments. However, Clover is guilty of failing to remember the particulars of the commandments.

Clover is a good friend of the Boxer. She is good-hearted, and like the Boxer, she works hard to improve the conditions of the firm. After observing the conduct of the pigs, the clover believes that they are breaking some of the seven commandments. However, Clover is guilty of failing to remember the particulars of the commandments.

Mollie is a vain horse working for Mr. Jones. Her primary responsibility is to pull the cart that carries Mr. Jones' goods. Mollie has shown that she is not interested in the issues of rebellion and politics. Mollies have also demonstrated that she loves being very close to humans and she subjects herself to the demands of the humans. Mollie has a difficult time adjusting to the life in the farm since she misses the sugar cubes and pampering that she was initially receiving from humans. Millie represents the bourgeoisie class of Russians who left the country a few years after the revolution.

Benjamin is one of the oldest animals on the farm. He is a donkey that has refused to be inspired by the arguments in support of the revolution. Benjamin reasons out that the situation will remain the same, regardless of the individuals in power. Unlike all the other animals, Benjamin is capable of comprehending the changes that are occurring. However, refuses the temptation of stand on the way of the pigs.

Muriel reads the seven commandments to Clover whenever Clover appears to feel that the other animals are breaking the commandments. The pigs are violating the provisions of the seven commandments, and Clover appears to be concerned.

He is the farmer that is tasked with the responsibility of running the farm. However, Mr. Jones is always drunk and appears to be mismanaging the farm. In the long run, he loses the management of the farm during the revolution. Orwell portrays Mr. Jones as an irresponsible master who indulges excessively while his subjects lack food. He represents Tsar Nicholas II who was hounded out of office by the Russian Revolution.

He is the ruthless operator of the neighboring farm called Pinchfield. Through his statements and actions, Mr. Frederick represents Hitler who was the authoritative rule of Germany in 1930s and 1940s.

Mr. Pilkington is a gentleman farmer who is managing a neighboring farm called Foxwood. Mr. Pilkington appears to be on a collision course with Me. Frederick. He represents the capitalist United States of America and Britain.

Napoleon hires Whymper, a solicitor, as a representation of the animal farm in the human society. When he enters the animal farm, Mr. Whymper in the animal farm creates a conduit between the animal farm and the human society.

They are the two dogs that give birth to puppies, two of whom are taken Napoleon with the intention of ‘educating' them.

Minimus is a poet-pig. He writes a poem about Napoleon, and he also pens a patriotic song, "Animal Farm, Animal Farm" as a replacement for the idealistic song, ‘Beasts of England' that the Old Major had created and passed over to the other animals.