Animal Farm by George Orwell
"Animal Farm" is a novella by George Orwell that uses allegory to explore themes of power, corruption, and totalitarianism. Set on a farm, the story begins with Old Major, an elderly boar, inspiring the animals to revolt against their oppressive human owner, Mr. Jones. Following Major's death, the pigs Snowball and Napoleon emerge as leaders, advocating for a system called Animalism, which promotes equality among animals. However, power struggles ensue, leading to a conflict between Snowball and Napoleon, resulting in Snowball's expulsion.
As the pigs consolidate power, they begin to alter the initial commandments of Animalism to justify their privileged status. The narrative illustrates the gradual descent into tyranny, with the pigs becoming indistinguishable from the humans they initially overthrew. The story culminates in the chilling realization that "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," highlighting the betrayal of the revolutionary ideals. Through its characters and events, "Animal Farm" serves as a critique of how noble aspirations can be corrupted by the thirst for power, resonating with broader historical and political contexts.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
First published: 1945
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Satire
Time of plot: Mid-twentieth century
Locale: England
Principal Characters
Mr. Jones , a human, owner of Manor FarmOld Major , a pig, the first to speak of rebellionBoxer , a cart horseMollie , a white mareBenjamin , a donkeyMoses , a tame ravenSnowball , a pig, coleader in the rebellion, withNapoleon , a pig, later ruler of Animal FarmSquealer , a pig, a brilliant talker
The Story
Old Major calls a meeting as soon as Mr. Jones goes to sleep. Jones, who is cruel to his animals, is drinking excessively of late. When all the animals are gathered, Major begins to speak. He had a dream in which he remembers the song Beasts of England from his distant past. He teaches it to the others and tells them they should rise up to defeat Jones and do their work for themselves, for their own benefit. He says that all men are evil and that all animals are good and equal.
Three days after telling his dream, Major dies. Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer develop Major’s teachings into a system called Animalism. The rebellion comes quickly and suddenly after Jones was drinking in town. When he returns home, the animals run him and the other humans off the farm. The animals can hardly believe their good fortune. Napoleon leads them back to the barn, where everyone is served extra food to celebrate.
In preparation for the rebellion, the pigs learned to read and write. One day, the pigs write the seven commandments of Animalism on the wall of the barn. It is realized that, since the rebellion, the cows have not been milked. The pigs manage to do it, but the five buckets of milk vanish while the other animals are out working.
The animals set forth to harvest the hay crop. They do this faster than it was ever done, but the pigs do not do any actual work, they hold a supervisory position. Boxer, the cart horse, is the hardest worker and the quickest to follow the rules set up by the pigs. “I will work harder” is his maxim and his motto; under any difficult circumstance, he always repeats it. Benjamin, the donkey, is the only animal that is unchanged since the rebellion. He works in the same obstinate way that he always has, doing his share and no more. Napoleon and Snowball oppose each other at every juncture at which decisions are made. Snowball begins committees for the adults while Napoleon takes puppies away from their parents, to educate them and to keep them in a special loft of the barn where no one else is allowed to go.
Jones and other humans attempt to take back Animal Farm but they are unsuccessful. In the battle, Snowball leads the forces and is wounded by a shotgun. Snowball manages to rid Jones of his gun, and Boxer kicks a boy. This is named the “Battle of the Cowshed” and is a success for the animals.
The winter draws near and at the meetings held every Sunday, Napoleon and Snowball still oppose each other. No matter what is in question, they always hold different views. Snowball is a brilliant speaker at the meetings and wins support through his eloquent speeches, while Napoleon is better at drumming up support for himself in sly conversations between the meetings. Napoleon trains the sheep to bleat “Four legs good, two legs bad” at crucial moments in Snowball’s speeches, which serves to negate anything of relevance that Snowball might say.
The worst argument is the one over the windmill. Snowball wants the animals to build a windmill because with it, and the electricity it would provide, the animals will only have to work three days a week. Napoleon is against it, saying they should spend their time producing more food. Benjamin is the only one who does not side with either Snowball or Napoleon. Windmill or no windmill, he says, life will go on as it has always gone on—that is, badly. At the meeting at which the question of the windmill will be decided, Snowball gives an eloquent speech and Napoleon says nothing. Snowball looks sure to win. Then Napoleon’s puppies come forth, now as large and treacherous dogs, and they drive Snowball off the farm.
Napoleon establishes himself as leader, with the pack of dogs reinforcing his position. He says there will be no more meetings and no more debates. He and other pigs will decide everything. Three weeks later, Napoleon uses Snowball’s plans for the windmill and issues the order that work on the windmill is to begin.
To get necessary supplies, Napoleon begins dealing with people. The other animals feel uneasy about it but can do nothing as Napoleon seems above reproach and his guard dogs assure his position completely. The pigs move into Jones’s house and begin sleeping in the beds. This is in direct opposition to one of the seven commandments, so the pigs begin changing the commandments in order to fit their increasing status as masters of the farm. The windmill becomes the top priority, and whenever problems arise, they are always blamed on Snowball, who is supposedly lurking near the farm and causing every problem that exists. Food grows scarce. Napoleon tells the animals that he will begin selling eggs to humans again, and the hens are required to lay eggs for this purpose. The hens believe this is murder of their chicks and refuse, but Napoleon stops their food rations until they comply with his demands. Soon after the hens’ attempted refusal to comply with Napoleon, there is a mass murder, in which Napoleon’s dogs kill every animal that ever spoke against him. Squealer upholds the actions of Napoleon and convinces all the remaining animals that their lives are much better than they ever have been.
The seven commandments are abolished and the only slogan left is this: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” The pigs discover alcohol and clothes and invite humans over to inspect the farm. The people find it in excellent running order. The pigs look and act like people and treat the animals more horribly than Jones had.
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