Who is Mr. Pilkington in Animal Farm? This enigmatic character, introduced by George Orwell in his classic novel, serves as a symbol of the human greed and manipulation that the animals strive to escape. Mr. Pilkington, the neighboring farmer, represents the corrupting influence of the human world on the utopian ideals of the animals on the farm.
In the novel, Animal Farm is established as a socialist society where the animals work together for their common good, free from the oppression of their former human masters. However, as time passes, the ideals of equality and justice begin to fade, and the pigs, who are seen as the leaders of the revolution, start to act more like the humans they once detested. Mr. Pilkington becomes a personification of this betrayal, embodying the very traits the animals had hoped to leave behind.
Mr. Pilkington is depicted as a wealthy and lazy farmer who takes advantage of the animals’ labor. Despite the fact that the animals work tirelessly to improve their living conditions, Mr. Pilkington continues to live a life of luxury, never contributing to the farm’s welfare. This creates a stark contrast between the ideals of the revolution and the reality of the farm’s management.
Moreover, Mr. Pilkington’s presence serves as a constant reminder of the animals’ vulnerability to the human world. He is often referred to as “the Pilkington” or “the enemy,” highlighting the animosity between the animals and the humans. This enmity is further exemplified by the farm’s founder, Old Major, who warns the animals of the human’s cunning and deceit. Mr. Pilkington, as a representative of this cunning, poses a threat to the animals’ hard-won freedom.
As the novel progresses, Mr. Pilkington’s influence becomes more pronounced. The pigs, particularly Napoleon, start to resemble their former human masters, wearing clothes and even sleeping in beds. In a desperate attempt to maintain their power, the pigs declare war on Mr. Pilkington, hoping to assert their dominance over the neighboring farm. However, this act of aggression only serves to solidify the pigs’ descent into tyranny.
In conclusion, Mr. Pilkington in Animal Farm is a representation of the human greed and manipulation that the animals had hoped to overcome. As a symbol of the corrupting influence of the human world, Mr. Pilkington serves as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of the revolution and the dangers of power. Orwell’s creation of this character serves to underscore the importance of remaining vigilant against the very traits the animals had sought to eliminate from their society.
