Pilkington (Animal Farm)
Encyclopedia
Mr Pilkington of Foxwood Farm is a fictional character in George Orwell
's satirical book Animal Farm
.
pile of surplus timber
, but the timber is "bought" (with counterfeit banknotes) by Frederick instead. Napoleon plays both sides by feigning friendship with Pilkington to get Frederick to pay a higher price for the timber. When Frederick invades Animal Farm, Pilkington refuses to help the animals (primarily because of the messages that Napoleon sent to Pilkington that read "Death to Pilkington").
and the pigs, where Napoleon reintroduces Animal Farm's "new" name of The Manor Farm. Pilkington praises Napoleon on his extreme strictness that he imposes upon the animals, forbidding them any time to enjoy themselves. He talks about the misunderstandings in the past that had been rectified. "You have your lower animals," the fat human jokingly consents, "and we have our lower classes." The men and pigs start playing cards, flattering and praising each other while cheating at the game.
At the end of the novel, both Napoleon and Pilkington draw the Ace of Spades
(which in most games, is the highest-ranking card) at the same time and begin fighting loudly.
countries, specifically the sprawling British Empire
which was crumbling during World War II
, although to an extent he also represents the US. This is in contrast to Frederick, who has the opposite scenario of a smaller, better managed farm (an allegory of Germany). After the end of World War II, the Cold War
began between the 'West' and the Soviet Union, similar to the end of the meeting where both Napoleon and Pilkington play a simultaneous Ace of Spades
, then get into an argument over it.
, Pilkington is the first human to enter into trade agreements with Animal Farm, beginning regular deals with Napoleon as he considers it more practical to trade with the animals after learning that they can talk, considering that they are incapable of coping on their own, and dismissing claims that other animals are starving in favour of the benefits to himself. His final fate is unrevealed.
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
's satirical book Animal Farm
Animal Farm
Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell published in England on 17 August 1945. According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to and during the Stalin era before World War II...
.
Role in the story
Pilkington is based off of Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt. Mr Pilkington has a larger but thus more unkempt farm, and is on bad terms with Mr Frederick of Pinchfield Farm, whose farm is on the opposite side of Animal Farm. Despite the bickering between Frederick and Pilkington, there are two factors both respectfully agree upon: they are frightened of the animal revolution that deposed Mr Jones, the original owner, fearing that their own animals may stage similar revolutions on their farmsteads, and both continue to call "Animal Farm" by its original name of "Manor Farm", as they believe the name "Animal Farm" is an unofficial endorsement of the animal revolution. Mr Pilkington at first offered to buy Napoleon'sNapoleon (Animal Farm)
Napoleon is a fictional character and the main antagonist in George Orwell's Animal Farm. While he is at first a common farm pig, he gets rid of Snowball, another pig which shares the power...
pile of surplus timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
, but the timber is "bought" (with counterfeit banknotes) by Frederick instead. Napoleon plays both sides by feigning friendship with Pilkington to get Frederick to pay a higher price for the timber. When Frederick invades Animal Farm, Pilkington refuses to help the animals (primarily because of the messages that Napoleon sent to Pilkington that read "Death to Pilkington").
The Meeting
Pilkington and several other of the men working on the farm were invited to a meeting by NapoleonNapoleon (Animal Farm)
Napoleon is a fictional character and the main antagonist in George Orwell's Animal Farm. While he is at first a common farm pig, he gets rid of Snowball, another pig which shares the power...
and the pigs, where Napoleon reintroduces Animal Farm's "new" name of The Manor Farm. Pilkington praises Napoleon on his extreme strictness that he imposes upon the animals, forbidding them any time to enjoy themselves. He talks about the misunderstandings in the past that had been rectified. "You have your lower animals," the fat human jokingly consents, "and we have our lower classes." The men and pigs start playing cards, flattering and praising each other while cheating at the game.
At the end of the novel, both Napoleon and Pilkington draw the Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
At least in English-speaking countries, the ace of spades is traditionally seen as the highest card in the deck of playing cards, although the actual value of the card varies from game to game...
(which in most games, is the highest-ranking card) at the same time and begin fighting loudly.
In the allegory
Pilkington represents western capitalistCapitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
countries, specifically the sprawling British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
which was crumbling during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, although to an extent he also represents the US. This is in contrast to Frederick, who has the opposite scenario of a smaller, better managed farm (an allegory of Germany). After the end of World War II, the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
began between the 'West' and the Soviet Union, similar to the end of the meeting where both Napoleon and Pilkington play a simultaneous Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
At least in English-speaking countries, the ace of spades is traditionally seen as the highest card in the deck of playing cards, although the actual value of the card varies from game to game...
, then get into an argument over it.
Film
In the 1999 filmAnimal Farm (1999 film)
Animal Farm was a made for TV film version of the 1945 George Orwell novel of the same name. The film tells the story of how the animals of a farm successfully revolt against its human owner, only to slide into a more brutal tyranny among themselves. It was released in 1999 by Hallmark Films...
, Pilkington is the first human to enter into trade agreements with Animal Farm, beginning regular deals with Napoleon as he considers it more practical to trade with the animals after learning that they can talk, considering that they are incapable of coping on their own, and dismissing claims that other animals are starving in favour of the benefits to himself. His final fate is unrevealed.