Discussion Topic
Clover's Symbolism and Allegorical Role in Animal Farm
Summary:
Clover in George Orwell's Animal Farm symbolizes the female proletariat during the Russian Revolution. Described as a "stout mare," she is a motherly figure, closely associated with Boxer. Her allegorical role highlights the working class's dedication and inability to question authority due to limited literacy. Objects representing Clover include a foal picture, heart shapes, and symbols of hard work like a harness, reflecting her nurturing nature and commitment. Her sadness over the revolution's failure is symbolized by tears and a whip.
In Animal Farm, who does Clover symbolize and what is her description?
In Chapter One, Clover is described as a "stout mare" (horse) of middle age. She is motherly figure in the story, having given birth to four foals during her lifetime. Her closest friend on the farm is Boxer, a horse known for his strength and loyalty.
In the novel, Clover represents the female members of the proletariat. Like them, she works hard and believes strongly in the revolution, but she lacks the knowledge to question the pigs because she cannot read. This is shown clearly in Chapter Six when the pigs begin sleeping in beds. Clover clearly remembers a rule stating that no animal should sleep in a human bed, but being unable to read more than a few letters of the Seven Commandments, she relies on Muriel to check the facts. When Muriel tells her that the rule specifies beds with sheets, Clover blames herself for not remembering...
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the rule correctly.
Just like the female proletariat, it is Clover's inability to question the status quo which forces her to live under the tyrannical rule of the pigs.
Clover is a female horse who is Boxer's close friend. She symbolizes the women of the Revolution. She is a motherly figure who is caring and provides comfort to the other animals. She is a firm believer in Napoleon, but is sometimes suspicious.
Clover is described as being a bit dumpy, having never gotten her figure back after her fourth foal. She is a cart horse, not a sleek pretty horse like Mollie.
Although Clover does not represent any person in history in particular, she does represent the working class women in Russia. They worked as hard as the men for the same empty promises of Communism.
What is Clover's allegorical significance in Animal Farm?
Clover, along with Boxer, is one of the Revolution's most important figures in terms of her strength and her willingness to try and encourage others to work. Interestingly she often wonders about the changes that are ushered in by the pigs but seems to be unable to understand their full import and when she tries to make others aware of them she is nearly always unable to express her concerns fully. Sadly, it is she that makes Boxer aware of what is really happening to him as she pushes to the front of the animals that crowd around the van that is taking him away to be killed:
"Boxer!" cried Clover in a terrible voice. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They are taking you to your death!"
Clover's allegorical significance in the novel is very similar to that of Boxer's significance. Both represent the proletariat and their strength, but also the way in which they seem to be unable to understand that they are being exploited because they are not able to piece together the evidence because of their own apathy, laziness or stupidity.
What are four objects that represent Clover in Animal Farm, besides a leash?
You mentioned a leash to represent Clover. Four other ideas are below.
You could bring in a cat figure/stuffed animal and/or a duckling figure or stuffed animal. Early in the story, we learn that Clover is a maternal horse who has had her four foals sold away from her. She sleeps not only with Boxer, but with ducklings and the cat. These animals curl up with her for comfort.
A copy of "Beasts of England." You could print out the "Beasts of England" lyrics on a sheet of paper to show that she and Boxer, early on, lead the animals in singing this song every day. The song also represents that she is a true believer in the ideals of Animal Farm.
A figure or image of a large workhorse could represent Boxer and Clover's never-ending loyalty to him.
Anything heart-shaped would represent the way Clover always throws herself, heart and soul, into the work of the farm. After all, we learn, "Only Boxer and Clover never lost heart."
Clover, from George Orwell's novel Animal Farm, is a cart horse on the farm. If one were looking to define her through different objects, the following could be used:
1. The number 4. Clover does not understand why the fourth commandment of the animals needs to be changed. This number represents her challenging of the laws.
2. Wings/Feathers: Clover, tries to save Boxer from slaughter. Therefore, she could be represented as his guardian angel.
3. Picture of a foal: Clover is motherly in her actions and mannerisms. Therefore, she could be represented through the use of a picture denoting a baby horse (foal).
4. Handcuffs: Clover is a slave to her work. Therefore, the handcuffs could represent this idea.
5. Blue collar shirt: Clover is part of the working class. Today, the working class is represented through the denotation of the "blue collar."
What objects and symbols represent the character Clover in Animal Farm?
In Animal Farm, Clover is introduced in Chapter One as a "stout motherly mare approaching middle life." As such, you could use a shoe-horse to represent Clover physically, or even a piece of clover, while objects like baby clothes or a bottle symbolise her status as a mother. The narrator also informs us that Clover has given birth to four foals so the number four would make a good symbol.
Alongside Boxer, Clover is one of the most dedicated animals on the farm. After the revolution, for example, Clover avidly attends all the meetings and absorbs all of the information taught to her by the pigs. She is also extremely hardworking, as we learn in Chapter Three when she harnesses herself to the cutter and the horse-rake. A harness or leash, then, could be used to symbolise her hard work and commitment to the efficient running of the farm.
Clover also maintains and defends the principles of Animalism when needed. In Chapter Five, for example, she confronts Mollie about allowing a farmer to stroke her nose and she finds ribbons hidden in Mollie's hay. For your book bag, draw a coloured ribbon with a red cross through it to symbolise Clover's strong principles. Similarly, a heart could be used to represent her love for her fellow animals.
As Napoleon's domination increases, however, Clover is saddened and deeply moved by the failure of the revolution:
As Clover looked down the hillside, her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race.
Tears not only symbolise her sadness but a whip or collar could also symbolise her domination by the pigs and the failure of the revolution, more generally.
Finally, use glue to symbolise the loss of Clover's greatest friend, Boxer, when he is sold to the horse slaughterer by Napoleon in Chapter Nine.