Character Analysis: The Nine Dogs

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Today we will be discussing oppression backed by threats. The nine dogs served as guards to Napoleon and enforced his authority, instilling fear in society to control their thoughts and actions. One thing about the dogs is that although their character isn't very complex, the way they reveal other's character is particularly interesting. Napoleon's character in particular is reflected in how he uses the dogs to influence the rest of the Animal Farm society. The role of the dogs serves to completely alter their intended social order, widening the gap between weak and powerful.

“It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest, giving birth between them to nine sturdy puppies. As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. He took them up into a loft which could only be reached by a ladder from the harness-room, and there kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence.” (Orwell 14)

As seen from this passage, Napoleon was cunning and calculating from the very beginning. At the very start of everything he was already thinking ahead and planning his domination of the farm. By isolating the nine dogs from the start Napoleon ensured their unfailing loyalty to him, strengthening his ploy to overthrow Snowball weeks in advance. This seclusion caused the dogs to be raised in allegiance with Napoleon, and only Napoleon, pitting them against everyone else on the farm and shaping their character from the start.

“But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and, casting a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball, uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before. At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws… Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn.” (Orwell 20)

This is the turning point in the story, where Napoleon emerges as a figure of authority and expells Snowball, his only competition. The subserivence of the animals causes them to be easily bent by the threat of the dogs, not resisting Napoleon's commands. Without the dogs' presence, Napoleon would've lost the election and the animals might have enjoyed less labor, more food, and less oppression, much like the intended result of the Rebellion. The dogs act as the central force, enabling Napoleon to get away with his many unreasonable actions.

"They kept close to Napoleon. It was noticed that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr. Jones." (Orwell 21)

In this passage the dogs' loyalty to Napoleon is being compared to their previous loyalty to Mr. Jones, foreshadowing the growth of similarity between human and pig. Before the Rebellion Mr. Jones threatened and controlled the animals on the farm, using them for labor and selfish benefits. He got away with these actions because was the authority figure, supported by the fear he engendered in the animals. Previously the dogs wagged their tails to Mr. Jones as a sign of affection and loyalty, but after the overthrow of the humans their loyalty swayed, transferring to the new authority figure, Napoleon. This change in allegiance verifies the power Napoleon gained throughout the novel.

“When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.” (Orwell 34)

This is one of the first, and certainly the most prominent, instances in which the dogs’ threat becomes reality and their force is actually utilized. Before this point in the story, the main purpose the dogs served was to instill fear in the animals to coerce them into following Napoleon’s insane plans. They did this through their presence and the potential harm they could inflict, although they hadn’t actually inflicted that harm. Until now. This passage really shows Napoleon’s ruthlessness, in turn exposing the dogs’ barbaric and robotic character. Despite the inhumanity of these actions, the dogs have no hesitation when slaughtering dozens of fellow animals. It’s even a commandment that no animal shall kill another, until Squealer evidently adds in his version to verify Napoleon’s actions.

"In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public, but spent all his time in the farmhouse, which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. When he did emerge, it was in a ceremonial manner, with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near." (Orwell 30).

This passage shows really well the comparison between the nine dogs and Stalin's personal police force. Just as how the NKVD existed to carry out the will of Stalin, the nine dogs existed to carry out the will of Napoleon.

Ultimately, the purpose of the nine dogs was to mirror Stalin's private police force known as the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs and abbreviated to NKVD. They were used as methods of control and instilled fear in the citizens of the USSR. The NKVD enforced laws and policies set by Stalin and was known to have executed those who opposed Stalinist beliefs, like in Animal farm. In the book the dogs served Napoleon just as the NKVD served Stalin, an instance of Orwell's parallelism of the book to Russia's communist totalitarianism.

1. How would the story have changed had the nine dogs not existed?

2. Can you think of any figures in your life similar to the nine dogs?

3. Is negativity, like fear, more motivational than positive counterparts? Why?

4. Is using fear to control people immoral? Why?

5. What actions can be taken to result in the best outcome when oppressed by fear?

6. Come up with your own question!