What is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major? What might this arrangement say about future meetings or...

In the opening chapter of Animal Farm, the animals gather in the barn to hear a speech by Old Major. While the arrangement of the animals in the barn may seem random, it does, in fact, reveal much about the nature of equality between the animals, in a number of ways.

First of all, we are introduced to Major. He is seated on a "raised platform," which is symbolic of his superiority on the...

In the opening chapter of Animal Farm, the animals gather in the barn to hear a speech by Old Major. While the arrangement of the animals in the barn may seem random, it does, in fact, reveal much about the nature of equality between the animals, in a number of ways.

First of all, we are introduced to Major. He is seated on a "raised platform," which is symbolic of his superiority on the farm. He is well-respected by the others, hence his prominent seating position. 

Next, after Major, come the dogs and the pigs. These animals are considered to be the most intelligent animals on the farm and this foreshadows their superior position on the farm after Major dies and Mr Jones is overthrown. It also foreshadows an important event which happens in Chapter Nine when the rations of all the animals except the dogs and the pigs are reduced. Squealer justifies this by saying that too much equality in rations goes against the principles of Animalism. Of course, Animalism states that all animals are equal, but Squealer does not want to admit this because, if he does, he accepts the inequality inherent in this action.

Finally, the other animals enter the barn. These horses, hens, pigeons, ducks and cows represent the workers of Animal Farm. Their only consideration in their seating is for the care of others: "Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking very slowly...with great care, lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw." This represents the friendship and loyalty of the working classes and, later, foreshadows their role on the farm. Together, they will perform the work that keeps the farm running and the animals fed, while the pigs and dogs rule from above.