No one has seen Benjamin laugh, his argument being that there is precious little in life to laugh at. When any animal asks him if he is not happier after the Revolution, his invariable and cryptic reply is that donkeys live a long time; none of them has seen a dead donkey.
What he seems to mean is that one should not be led away by superficial changes. He can read like the pigs, but refuses to do so since there was nothing worth reading. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey. It is not until we have finished the novel that it becomes clear that Benjamin has seen rebellions come and go in the past and he knows that the happiness they feel after the Rebellion will be short-lived.
He said, life would go on as it always had gone on - that is, badly. In the end, it turns out that Benjamin was right to be so negative about the Rebellion.
Benjamin is "the oldest animal on the farm and the worst tempered. He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark" 1. Think Eeyore, but smarter. Click the character infographic to download. Despite his nasty temper, Benjamin knows what's up. After the rebellion, the other animals want to know what Benjamin thinks of the new organization of Animal Farm.
The only thing that he'll say is, "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey" 3. Later, he rolls his eyes about everyone's windmill enthusiasm. Again, because "donkeys live a long time" 6. Seen from a wider perspective, Benjamin is a symbol of intelligentsia that during the times of revolution and its aftermath, is very much aware about what is going on, but does nothing about it.
The general manipulated masses are represented by the sheep, who are not aware about their misuse, but it is Benjamin who can see how the basic rules of their society are changing and does not involve himself in any way that would threaten his security.
He is also one of the most commonsensical characters, understanding that the pigs are altering the Seven Commandments, and that Boxer was killed instead of peacefully dying at a hospital. Heroes Wiki. Heroes Wiki Explore. Top Content.
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