Waste Away

Old Major

Major (also called Willingdon Beauty, his name used when showing) is the first major character described by George Orwell in his 1945 novel Animal Farm. An elderly Middle White boar, his "purebred" of pigs is a kind, grandfatherly philosopher of change. Major proposes a solution to the animals' desperate plight on Manor Farm under the Jones administration and inspires thoughts of a rebellion. The actual time of the revolt is unsaid; it could be tomorrow or several generations down the road. Major dies three days after delivering his speech and the animals, stirred up by this speech, set to work immediately on the bringing about the Rebellion. Shortly after his death, the animals rise in revolt and oust the humans from power. This rebellious act is so quick th… more »