The Viceroy's Animals

Character Analysis

The Menagerie

We meet a few arguing animals in the "Her Majesty's Servants" chapter: Billy the mule, another nameless mule, a camel, Dick Cunliffe's horse, and Two Tails the elephant. These animals are basically an allegory for soldiers. Why do we go to war? Why do we follow orders? Unlike the humans, who do not have a voice in this chapter, the animals speak for them, on topics like fear and honor.

Basically, they follow orders because it's better than the alternative—punishment. (Also a good reason why humans follow orders.) And they all fear different things. Dick Cunliffe's horse concludes, "every one [sic] is not made in the same way" (13.65). This is why they're a team, an army not of one, but of many. They have complementary strengths and weaknesses, and together, they have strength in numbers.