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Snowball is a character in George Orwell's Animal Farm.

Snowball's ideas

Snowball believes in a continued revolution: he argues that in order to defend Animal Farm and strengthen the reality of Old Major's dream of a life without humans, the animals should stir up rebellions in other farms throughout England. He is the only Pig on the farm who works with the other animals and is the kinder pig on the farm. Napoleon always disagrees with any ideas that Snowball has because he doesn't want Snowball to be the one to take over Animal Farm. Snowball also writes the first version of the Seven Commandments. These are later altered by Squealer under the orders of Napoleon to accommodate the actions of the pigs. For example, the commandment stating “No animal shall drink alcohol” is changed to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess”, and is later removed entirely. The rule that states, “No animal should sleep in a bed,” changed to “No animal should sleep in a bed with sheets”.

Snowball is eventually forced out of the farm when Napoleon uses his guard dogs to chase Snowball. After that he is blamed for problems on the farm, and it is claimed he was in support of Jones from the start. Though he fought bravely at the Battle of Cowshed, the facts are altered to say he openly fought for Jones and the shot wounds are changed to wounds Napoleon inflicted on him. Those accused of supporting him are executed after being forced to confess, and a reward is offered for his capture.

Snowball was a very inventive and quick speech pig that influenced others to his side. It is never revealed what happened to him after his escape, although in the 1950s film adaptation it is implied the dogs killed him. However, in the 1999 live action film adaption, he is shown escaping the dogs and surviving. It is also implied when the altered rules are painted over at the beginning of the live-action film that he returns to Manor Farm and reunites with the animals that are left, seeing as how Napoleon is dead, Squealer had no reason to change the rules again, and Snowball was the only other animal who could write to any ability.

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