Animal Farm question

If Benjamin had spoken up, who would have paid attention? The Sheep? No matter how much truth is coming from the lone voice of reason, the speaker will be ignored, mocked, even publicly ridiculed if the information is in any way contradictory to what they want or expect to hear.

You can try to talk the lemmings out of stampeding over the edge of the cliff; but they are going to cover up their ears.....they know they are doing the right thing and you are just spouting crazy talk.......

Benjamin was wise enough to save himself a lot of grief by keeping his knowledge to himself.

Remember that this is a satire, Orwell's sharp criticism of actual events and historical conditions in Russia as the Soviet leadership perverted the intentions of socialism and turned it into Stalinist totalitarianism. Benjamin represents the many many people who know what's going on, hope it will get better but are cynically resigned to the likelihood of it getting worse, as long as it doesn't affect them personally. Bystanders watch; survivors are glad it's not them going to the gulag. Is that moral? Orwell would say it isn't, but he would also point out that humans are not inherently moral; they acquire morality, if they're brave, but societies like Animal Farm and Soviet Russia did not encourage bravery.

I think Benjamin represents a foil to Boxer's character. While Boxer blindly supported the Animal Farm and basically gave his life to the its administration, Benjamin is the exact opposite where he couldn't care less who is looking over them. The difference is Benjamin survives while Boxer doesn't. He even said that donkeys live for a really long time. I think the reason he didn't speak up is because he knows there's no point and this is how he deals with injustice day to day. It's for his survival and sanity. It's not noble, sure, but he's disillusioned with the ideals of the Rebellion and the abilities of everyone else. The only time where he spoke up was when Boxer was about to be taken away. He cares about Boxer deeply but to change a corrupt system is impossible when everyone is blind to it.

Benjamin's state is for one who has retired to life itself. There is a point other people reach in life and only indifference reigns after they realize their opinion really doesn't matter.
It's fatalism that makes him view that we are powerless to do anything other than what we actually do.
Or even at times when trouble is immense you do not see how you tinny opinion will change a thing anyway.

"if no one asked for help do not offer it " and Binjamin did that as he figure out that no one will listen or lets say no one will understand.
cause eventuality History is a great teacher but whom of us is learning from it, we all need to commit mistakes so we can learn from.

At this point in my life I relate to Benjamin. After decades of my local/national/world political interest, discussions, campaigns, anger, and frustration, let me enjoy my comfortable retirement cocoon. Some things appear to change, but not really. I'm referring to political changes--not social/cultural.