Animal Farm

The very first line of the book establishes Mr. Jones as alcoholic and irresponsible: “Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes” (3). Later that night, he shows a violent streak when he shoots his gun into the darkness to quiet the animals (11). Still later, Jones’s decline continues as he loses money in a lawsuit, takes to heavy drinking, and lets conditions on the farm deteriorate. Jones’ incompetence on the farm causes the animals to rebel against him and establish Animal Farm.

After his eviction from the farm, Jones spends most of his time at the Red Lion tavern in Willingdon drinking and plotting a takeover of Animal Farm. He eventually dies in a home for alcoholics. All in all, Jones is a pathetic figure, but his carelessness and cruel behavior toward his animals do not engender pity. We feel that Jones gets what he deserves when the animals rout him from the farm.

In the allegorical scheme of the book, Jones represents Czar Nicholas II (1868-1918), whose poor handling of Russia’s involvement in World War I angered his subjects and led to the Communist Revolution.