Mollie’s vanity is stressed in her reluctance to work during the harvest — she cannot devote herself to any cause other than her own ego. Thus, when she is taught to read, she refuses to learn any letters except the ones that spell her name. Unlike Snowball (and his intellectual fancies) or Napoleon (and his ruthlessness), Mollie willingly abstains from any part in the political process.
Old Benjamin’s character is likewise developed in this chapter. Orwell points out that Benjamin “never changed” and that, when asked about the rebellion, only remarks, “Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey.” The other animals find this reply a “cryptic” one, but the reader understands Benjamin’s point: He is wary of becoming too enthusiastic about the rebellion, since he knows that any new government can succumb to the temptation to abuse its power. Later, when the animals learn to read, Benjamin never does, since he finds “nothing worth reading.” His cynicism is out-of-place with the patriotism felt by the other animals, but he cannot be convinced that the rebellion is a wholly noble cause — and, after witnessing the actions of the pigs, neither can the reader.
