Animal Farm Literary Analysis

Who do you think of when you think of a good leader? When I do, I think of Martin Luther King Jr. He stood up for the abuse African Americans were receiving in the 1960s and practiced non-violent protests and marches. There's a quote about leadership in the novel 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader by John C. Maxwell that states “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence”(I). In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, Snowball possesses Character, Commitment, and Courage as described in the book 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader.

One example of good character is Snowball’s major role in running and managing Animal Farm. In 21 Indispensable Qualities, Maxwell writes about how character is more than talk. He says anyone can say he has integrity but action is the real indicator of character. Snowball embodies this by using his best trait, writing, by painting out Manor Farm on the main gate, and painting Animal Farm. He also inscribed the seven commandments of Animalism on the wall of the big barn. Snowball is showing his good qualities of character through his acts of using his talents to benefit the farm.

Another quality is commitment. Why I think Snowball shows commitment is the fact that he carried out what Old Major wanted out of the farm, no humans. Snowball showed true commitment to Old Major’s principle of no humans when Boxer accidentally killed Mr. Jones. Snowball says to Boxer “No sentimentality comrade… The only good Human being is a dead one”(28). Snowball proves his commitment to the farm and to Old Major through his actions.

Snowball shows courage when Mr. Jones comes back to attempt to take back the farm. “Snowball gave the signal for Jones. Jones saw him coming, raised his gun, and fired the pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball’s back (27). Snowball in the attempt to stop Mr. Jones,