Summary of Animal Farm
Chapter 1: The Beginning of Rebellion
In Chapter 1 of Animal Farm, the animals gather in the barn to hear Old Major, a highly respected boar, share his dream of a rebellion against their human owner, Mr. Jones. Old Major describes the harsh conditions they endure under human rule and envisions a future where animals are free and equal. He emphasizes the need for unity among all animals and introduces the idea of Animalism, which promotes the belief that all animals are comrades. Old Major urges the animals to revolt against their oppressors, encouraging them to overthrow the tyranny of humans. The chapter concludes with the animals enthusiastically singing “Beasts of England,” a revolutionary song that symbolizes hope and camaraderie. This gathering sets the stage for the rebellion, establishing the foundation for the themes of revolution, oppression, and the struggle for equality that will unfold throughout the novel.
Chapter 2: The Rebellion
In Chapter 2 of Animal Farm, the animals, inspired by Old Major’s vision, successfully revolt against Mr. Jones, their negligent farmer. They seize the farm, renaming it “Animal Farm” and establishing the principles of Animalism. The pigs, being the most intelligent animals, assume leadership roles, with Napoleon and Snowball emerging as key figures. They create the Seven Commandments to guide the animals, emphasizing equality and the rejection of human vices. However, disagreements arise, particularly between Napoleon and Snowball regarding the construction of a windmill to improve productivity. The chapter highlights the animals’ initial optimism and unity as they work to establish their new society. However, it foreshadows the power struggles and conflicts to come, particularly with Napoleon’s growing ambitions. As the chapter concludes, the animals are filled with hope for their new life, unaware of the challenges and betrayals that lie ahead.
Chapter 3: The Early Days of Animalism
In Chapter 3 of Animal Farm, the animals enthusiastically begin to organize their new society following the successful rebellion against Mr. Jones. The pigs, recognized as the most intelligent animals, take the lead in organizing tasks and overseeing the farm’s operations. They establish a set of principles known as the Seven Commandments of Animalism to ensure equality among all animals. The pigs also take charge of the harvest, which turns out to be more productive than when Mr. Jones was in charge. However, the pigs begin to reserve special privileges for themselves, including consuming the farm’s milk and apples for their health. The other animals, though initially suspicious, accept this arrangement, believing that the pigs are making sacrifices for the greater good. The chapter highlights the emergence of a leadership class among the pigs, foreshadowing the eventual corruption of the revolutionary ideals and the gradual inequality that will develop on the farm.
Chapter 4: The Battle of the Cowshed
In Chapter 4 of Animal Farm, news of the animals’ successful rebellion spreads to neighboring farms, prompting the humans to take action. To assert their dominance, Mr. Jones and other farmers plot to retake the farm. The animals, aware of the impending threat, prepare for defense. Snowball organizes them into a military force, and when the humans attack during the Battle of the Cowshed, the animals display bravery and unity. Led by Snowball, they successfully drive the humans away, resulting in a significant victory. This battle symbolizes the struggle for independence and the animals’ commitment to their newfound freedom. In the aftermath, the animals celebrate their victory, and Snowball is awarded a medal for his leadership. The song “Beasts of England” becomes their battle hymn, further solidifying their identity as a united group fighting against oppression. The chapter highlights themes of unity, bravery, and the early promise of the animals’ revolution.
Chapter 5: The Windmill and Its Challenges
In Chapter 5 of Animal Farm, tensions rise as the animals prepare for winter and debate the construction of the windmill. Napoleon and Snowball clash over the project, with Napoleon advocating for its immediate construction, while Snowball emphasizes the need for education and organization first. During a heated meeting, Napoleon uses his trained dogs to chase Snowball away, establishing himself as the uncontested leader. The animals are shocked by Snowball’s expulsion but soon fall in line with Napoleon’s rule. To solidify his power, Napoleon alters the original plans for the windmill and manipulates the other animals into believing that Snowball is a traitor working with Mr. Jones. The chapter illustrates the theme of power struggle, highlighting how quickly ideals can be corrupted as Napoleon begins to employ fear tactics and propaganda to control the farm, foreshadowing the coming changes in their governance.
Chapter 6: The Betrayal of Ideals
In Chapter 6 of Animal Farm, the animals work harder than ever to complete the windmill, despite growing exhaustion and limited food. To meet the demands, Napoleon announces that the farm will trade with neighboring farms, a shocking decision that breaks one of the original Animalist principles. Squealer convinces the animals that no such rule ever existed, using his persuasive tactics to quell doubts. Napoleon hires Mr. Whymper, a human solicitor, to handle the farm’s business dealings. Meanwhile, the pigs begin to enjoy privileges, such as moving into the farmhouse, which again causes unrest. Squealer manipulates the animals by suggesting the pigs’ superior intelligence justifies their comforts. Later, a storm destroys the windmill, but Napoleon blames it on Snowball’s alleged sabotage, further increasing fear and hatred toward him. Chapter 6 highlights the corruption of power and the manipulation of truth as the pigs grow increasingly indistinguishable from the humans they once opposed.
Chapter 7: The Collapse of Trust
In Chapter 7 of Animal Farm, the harsh winter and food shortages create severe hardship on the farm, leading the animals to suffer greatly. To maintain appearances, Napoleon tricks Mr. Whymper, a human intermediary, into believing there is no shortage by filling empty grain bins with sand. Meanwhile, Napoleon blames Snowball for any setbacks and mishaps, claiming he is sabotaging the farm. This tactic heightens fear and loyalty among the animals, making them easier to control.
As discontent grows, Napoleon uses violence to suppress any opposition. He forces several animals to confess to crimes they did not commit, accusing them of conspiring with Snowball. Subsequently, the accused animals are brutally executed, breaking one of the core principles of Animalism against killing fellow animals. The chapter ends with the animals feeling both terrified and disillusioned as they watch their once-idealistic revolution turn into a brutal dictatorship.
Chapter 8: The Rewriting of History
In Chapter 8 of Animal Farm, the pigs’ corruption intensifies as Napoleon consolidates his power and further distances himself from the other animals. The animals are disturbed when they notice the Commandments being altered to justify the pigs’ actions, particularly when “No animal shall kill any other animal” is secretly changed to include “without cause” after the brutal executions in the previous chapter. Napoleon manipulates the farm’s achievements, exaggerating the supposed prosperity and progress under his rule, while they face harsher living conditions. The windmill, which has come to symbolize the animals’ collective labor, is attacked by Frederick and his men after a deceitful business deal involving forged banknotes. The humans destroy the windmill, leaving the animals devastated. However, the pigs quickly spin the destruction into a “victory,” celebrating to distract the animals from their suffering. This chapter highlights the manipulation, propaganda, and betrayal that underpin Napoleon’s rule.
Chapter 9: The Deception of the Animals
In Chapter 9 of Animal Farm, the animals face increased hardships and disillusionment. Boxer, who remains dedicated despite the worsening conditions, suffers a severe injury while working on the windmill. Napoleon and the other pigs assure the animals that Boxer will receive proper medical attention, but they instead sell him to a glue factory for money to buy whiskey, deceiving the other animals about his fate. Squealer fabricates a story that Boxer died peacefully at the hospital, further manipulating the animals’ loyalty and trust. Meanwhile, the pigs continue to indulge themselves, taking advantage of the other animals’ hard work and dedication to the principles of Animalism. Napoleon further solidifies his rule, hosting celebrations and honoring the pigs’ privileges, while the other animals endure poverty and oppression. This chapter highlights the complete betrayal of Boxer and serves as a symbol of the corruption and moral decay of the pigs’ leadership.
Chapter 10: The Complete Transformation
In Chapter 10 of Animal Farm, years have passed, and the farm’s conditions have worsened for most animals, while the pigs enjoy privileges and luxuries. The animals can barely distinguish between the oppressive human rule they initially overthrew and the current pig-led tyranny. The Seven Commandments have been reduced to one: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The pigs now walk on two legs, wear human clothes, and engage in trade with human farmers, solidifying their transformation. The animals observe a gathering in the farmhouse where pigs and humans socialize, and they are horrified to realize they can no longer tell the difference between the two. Orwell concludes the novel with a powerful message about the dangers of totalitarianism and how revolutions can end in betrayal when leaders become indistinguishable from the oppressors they once sought to overthrow.
CHARACTERS IN ANIMAL FARM
Major Characters
- Old Major: An elderly boar who inspires the rebellion with his vision of a farm free from human oppression. Representing Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, Old Major’s ideals serve as the foundation of Animalism, the ideology that guides the animals.
- Napoleon: A large, cunning pig who emerges as the farm’s dictator after the rebellion. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon becomes increasingly authoritarian, using fear and propaganda to control the other animals and prioritize his own interests.
- Snowball: An intelligent and idealistic pig who co-leads the rebellion and introduces progressive ideas, such as building the windmill. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, and he is eventually chased away by Napoleon, reflecting Stalin’s ousting of Trotsky.
- Squealer: A persuasive pig who acts as Napoleon’s spokesperson. Skilled in propaganda, Squealer manipulates language to justify Napoleon’s actions and keep the animals under control. He represents the Soviet propaganda machine.
- Boxer: A hardworking and loyal cart-horse whose strength and dedication make him a valuable asset. Boxer believes wholeheartedly in Animalism and adopts the motto “I will work harder.” He represents the working class, who are exploited by the ruling class until he is eventually betrayed.
- Clover: A gentle and motherly horse who cares deeply for the other animals. She symbolizes the female proletariat and the working class, expressing concern over Napoleon’s corruption but feeling powerless to act.
- Benjamin: A cynical, intelligent donkey who is skeptical of the rebellion and remains unchanged throughout the novel. Benjamin represents intellectuals who see corruption but choose not to intervene, though he ultimately tries to help Boxer.
Supporting Characters
- Mollie: A vain, self-absorbed mare who loves ribbons and sugar, preferring the comfort and luxury she had under human rule. Mollie represents the bourgeoisie and those who flee revolution to maintain their privileges.
- Mr. Jones: The often drunk and neglectful human farmer of Manor Farm who is overthrown in the animals’ rebellion. He represents Czar Nicholas II, whose mismanagement and oppression led to revolution.
- Mr. Frederick: The shrewd owner of a neighboring farm who briefly allies with Napoleon but ultimately betrays him. He symbolizes Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, particularly reflecting the Nazi-Soviet Pact and subsequent betrayal.
- Mr. Pilkington: The easygoing, neighboring farmer who represents Western capitalist governments like the U.K. and the U.S., showing the uneasy alliances between the West and the Soviet Union during World War II.
- The Dogs: Trained by Napoleon as his personal enforcers, they represent Stalin’s secret police (NKVD), who used fear and violence to suppress dissent.
- The Sheep: Known for their blind, repetitive bleating of slogans like “Four legs good, two legs bad,” they symbolize the masses who are easily manipulated by propaganda.
- The Hens: When Napoleon demands their eggs for trade, the hens rebel but are crushed. They represent the peasant class, who resisted forced collectivization in the Soviet Union.
Minor Characters
- Minimus: A pig who composes poems and songs to praise Napoleon. He represents state-sponsored artists who glorify their leaders through propaganda.
THEMES IN ANIMAL FARM
1. Power and Corruption
- The novel illustrates how power can corrupt those who hold it. After the animals overthrow Mr. Jones, the pigs quickly rise to positions of authority, and their initial ideals are compromised. Napoleon’s rule mirrors that of Mr. Jones, showing that absolute power corrupts absolutely, as even revolutionary leaders can become oppressive.
2. The Betrayal of Ideals
- Orwell demonstrates how the original ideals of the rebellion, inspired by Old Major’s vision of equality, are distorted. The commandments of Animalism are slowly altered to benefit the pigs, reflecting the betrayal of revolutionary promises and illustrating how leaders can manipulate ideologies to justify self-interest and maintain control.
3. Propaganda and the Manipulation of Language
- Squealer’s role as Napoleon’s spokesperson reveals how language and propaganda are used to control and manipulate the masses. By distorting the truth, using misleading statistics, and revising history, Squealer persuades the animals to accept Napoleon’s authority unquestioningly. This theme highlights Orwell’s concerns about media manipulation and the use of language to maintain political power.
4. Class and Social Inequality
- Initially, the animals believe in equality, but a hierarchy quickly forms, with the pigs assuming superior status. Boxer represents the working class, exploited for his labor until he is no longer useful. The pigs’ rise to privilege mirrors the class distinctions seen in totalitarian societies, where elites thrive while the common people suffer.
5. The Danger of a Naïve Working Class
- Orwell suggests that a lack of critical thinking and education among the working class allows them to be easily manipulated. Characters like Boxer, who unthinkingly supports Napoleon, and the sheep, who blindly repeat slogans, show how uneducated populations can be exploited by those in power and how their blind loyalty can enable tyranny.
6. The Fragility of Freedom and Independence
- After overthrowing Mr. Jones, the animals are initially free, but their freedom is short-lived as they become subjugated by the pigs. This theme highlights how easily freedom can be lost when individuals fail to question authority, stay informed, and protect their own rights.
7. The Cyclical Nature of Oppression
- The novel ends with the pigs becoming indistinguishable from humans, symbolizing how the revolutionary government has turned into what it once opposed. This theme suggests a cycle in which oppressed groups, upon gaining power, often become oppressors themselves, perpetuating the same injustices they once sought to eliminate.
8. Moral and Political Allegory
Animal Farm serves as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Each character and event symbolizes aspects of Soviet history, critiquing the authoritarian nature of the Soviet Union and providing insights into the consequences of political manipulation and betrayal.