Benjamin, the donkey, is presented as a somewhat aloof and reticent character who is just as intelligent as any of the pigs. He is also painted as stubborn and not very communicative. He rarely speaks and only comments in very conspicuous situations. Because he is so intelligent, it is easy for him to make astute observations about events unfolding or which are due to unfold around him. He hardly ever offers an opinion, although we...
Benjamin, the donkey, is presented as a somewhat aloof and reticent character who is just as intelligent as any of the pigs. He is also painted as stubborn and not very communicative. He rarely speaks and only comments in very conspicuous situations. Because he is so intelligent, it is easy for him to make astute observations about events unfolding or which are due to unfold around him. He hardly ever offers an opinion, although we are aware that he has as many opinions as any intelligent character would have. A few quotes which give us further insight into his character are the following:
Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time, never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey," and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer.
Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction. He refused to believe either that food would become more plentiful or that the windmill would save work. Windmill or no windmill, he said, life would go on as it had always gone on—that is, badly.
Benjamin was clearly indifferent and did not care much bout giving any opinion or support anyone, which also means that he was neutral about things.
In this regard, then, Benjamin can easily be compared with a cupboard which only gives up its contents when they are needed, much as Benjamin only offers an opinion or delivers an insight when it is needed, such as when he warned the animals that Boxer was being taken to the knacker or when he realized that the windmill was going to be blown up. A cupboard stores everything, just as Benjamin stores all his memories. It is quiet but carries much, as Benjamin does. It is neutral and has only that which it has been given, as with Benjamin, who judges on the basis of what he has experienced or seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment