Summary

Summary of Animal Farm

Author: George Orwell

Setting: A farm in England, initially called Manor Farm, later renamed Animal Farm.

Main Characters:

• Napoleon: A pig who becomes the dictator of Animal Farm, representing Joseph Stalin.

• Snowball: A pig who challenges Napoleon for control but is eventually exiled, representing Leon Trotsky.

• Old Major: An elderly boar whose vision of a farm free from human oppression inspires the rebellion, symbolizing Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin.

• Boxer: A hardworking and loyal cart-horse, symbolizing the proletariat or working class.

• Squealer: A pig who spreads Napoleon's propaganda among the other animals, representing Soviet propaganda.

• Mr. Jones: The often drunk farmer who runs Manor Farm before the animals stage their Rebellion, representing Tsar Nicholas II.

• Benjamin: A cynical, skeptical donkey who does not believe in the revolution, representing the older generation.

• Mollie: A vain horse who craves the attention of human beings and loves being pampered, representing the bourgeoisie.

Plot Summary:

Chapter 1: Old Major shares his dream of a farm free from human control with the other animals and teaches them the song "Beasts of England." He urges them to rebel against Mr. Jones.

Chapter 2: After Old Major's death, the animals, inspired by his vision, overthrow Mr. Jones and take over the farm, renaming it Animal Farm. They establish the Seven Commandments of Animalism.

Chapter 3: The pigs assume leadership roles. Snowball and Napoleon begin to struggle for power. The animals work hard to run the farm, with Boxer emerging as a dedicated worker.

Chapter 4: Mr. Jones and other farmers attempt to retake the farm but are defeated in the Battle of the Cowshed, led by Snowball. The animals celebrate their victory.

Chapter 5: Napoleon ousts Snowball from the farm using his trained dogs. He declares that the windmill, initially proposed by Snowball, will be built to improve the farm's productivity.

Chapter 6: The animals work tirelessly on the windmill. Napoleon begins trading with human farmers, betraying the original principles of Animalism. The windmill is destroyed by a storm, which Napoleon blames on Snowball.

Chapter 7: Napoleon uses fear and propaganda to control the animals. He conducts purges, executing animals he accuses of conspiring with Snowball. The animals suffer from food shortages.

Chapter 8: Napoleon continues to consolidate power, rewriting history and altering the Seven Commandments. The windmill is rebuilt but is destroyed again during an attack by Mr. Frederick, a neighboring farmer.

Chapter 9: Boxer is injured while rebuilding the windmill. Napoleon sells him to a glue factory under the guise of sending him to a veterinarian, betraying the loyal worker.

Chapter 10: Years pass, and the pigs become indistinguishable from humans, walking on two legs and engaging in trade. The farm is renamed Manor Farm, symbolizing the complete betrayal of the revolution. The animals realize they are as oppressed as ever.

Themes:

• Corruption of Power: The novel explores how power can corrupt individuals and lead to oppression, mirroring the rise of totalitarian regimes.

• Betrayal: The story highlights the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the manipulation of the working class.

• Propaganda: The use of propaganda to control and manipulate the populace is a central theme, showcasing the power of misinformation.

• Class Struggle: The tension between different social classes and the exploitation of the working class are critical aspects of the story.

• Idealism vs. Reality: The novel contrasts the initial ideals of the revolution with the grim reality that follows, emphasizing the gap between utopian visions and practical outcomes.

Conclusion: "Animal Farm" is a powerful allegory about the dangers of totalitarianism, the corruption of revolutionary ideals, and the cyclical nature of power and oppression. Through the story of the farm animals, Orwell provides a critique of political systems and the ways in which they can fail their citizens.