Snowball is a character in George Orwell's 1945 novella Animal Farm. He is largely based on Leon Trotsky, who led the opposition against Joseph Stalin (Napoleon). Snowball is depicted as an intellectual pig whose leadership, dedication, and feats for Animal Farm is unparallel to any others on the farm; however, he is rivalled by Napoleon, who hates him. In the 1954 film adaptation of Animal Farm, he was voiced by Maurice Denham, and was voiced by Kelsey Grammer in the 1999 television adaptation. The character is voiced by Laverne Cox and gender-swapped to a female in the 2025 film.
Biography
thumb|The flag of Animal Farm designed by Snowball, made from Mrs. Jones' tablecloth
Snowball believes in a continued revolution: he argues that to defend Animal Farm, he must strengthen the reality of Old Major's dream of a life without humans and that they must stir up rebellions in other farms throughout England. However, Napoleon always disagrees with any ideas that Snowball has because he does not want Snowball to lead Animal Farm, wanting to lead it himself with an iron fist.
Snowball writes the Seven Commandments for Animal Farm, which are later altered by Squealer under the orders of Napoleon, to accommodate the actions of the pigs; the commandment stating "No animal shall drink alcohol" is changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess", "No animal shall sleep in a bed" has been changed to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets", and "No animal shall kill another animal" is changed to "No animal shall kill another animal without cause". Later all the commandments are replaced with one phrase: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
Once Napoleon gains control of Animal Farm he uses his guard dogs to attack Snowball, who flees to an unknown fate (in the 1954 film, he is killed), and manipulates the farm into believing what Snowball had done before was the cause of problems for the farm. Though Snowball had fought bravely for Animal Farm at the Battle of the Cowshed, Napoleon alters his account of the events to say Snowball had openly fought for Jones. Napoleon then conducts a purge of Snowball's supporters and has them executed as conspirators.
Historical parallels with Trotsky
250x250px|thumb|Trotsky served as the model for Snowball and was leader of the [[Left Opposition which advocated an alternative set of policies to Stalin]]
Orwell depicts Snowball in a sympathetic manner and superior to Napoleon in regards to personal intellect, rhetorical skills, economic theories, literary writings and military leadership. Orwell also highlighted the growing antagonism from Napoleon and Snowball such as the former’s frequent criticisms of Snowball’s economic plans, his eventual appropriation of the plans and later efforts to falsify history upon the latter’s exile. The personality traits and eventual defeat of Snowball mirrored the life of his historical counterpart Trotsky, including his contributions to the early Soviet Union and forced exile.
Yet, Orwell remained skeptical of any substantial differences between Snowball and Napoleon as he expressed the view to his friend George Woodcock: "Trotsky-Snowball was potentially as big a villain as Stalin-Napoleon, although he was Napoleon's victim. The first note of corruption was struck when the pigs secretly had the cows’ milk added to their own mash and Snowball consented to this first act of inequity." The film, unlike the book, shows him being killed by the dogs, likely due to related pressure. Snowball's death mirrors the assassination of Leon Trotsky.
In the 2020 action horror film The Hunt, the characters allude to Animal Farm, with the main antagonist referring to the main protagonist as Snowball.