Short Summary
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a satirical allegory that explores the corrupting influence of power and totalitarianism, following the journey of farm animals who overthrow their human owner only to fall under a dictatorship of their own making.
Book Information
Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
ISBN: 978-0451526342
Genres: Satire, Allegory, Political Fiction, Dystopian Fiction
Published: 1945
In-Depth Summary of Animal Farm by George Orwell
Introduction
Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, is a deeply layered novella that examines the perils of totalitarian regimes and the ease with which power can corrupt. Written as an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union, the novel employs farm animals as stand-ins for the various factions, leaders, and ideologies that shaped early 20th-century Russian politics. Through its accessible yet profoundly symbolic storyline, Animal Farm critiques the misuse of political power, illustrating how idealistic visions of equality can devolve into tyranny and oppression.
Setting and Background
The story takes place on Manor Farm, a typical English farm controlled by the negligent and drunken farmer Mr. Jones. The animals on the farm are overworked, underfed, and treated as mere tools for profit. They dream of a life of freedom and self-sufficiency, spurred on by the ideas of rebellion and liberation preached by an elderly boar named Old Major.
Symbolism of Manor Farm
Manor Farm represents a society under oppressive rule, where the working class (represented by the animals) endures exploitation while those in power reap all the benefits. It is Orwell’s representation of Tsarist Russia, with Mr. Jones symbolizing the autocratic rule that eventually ignited revolutionary sentiments among the people.
Plot Overview
Old Major’s Vision
The narrative begins with Old Major, a wise and elderly pig, gathering the animals for a secret meeting. He speaks of his dream of a society where animals are free from human oppression, a utopia where all animals work together for mutual benefit. He introduces the principles of Animalism, an ideology centered on animal equality and the rejection of human control. Old Major’s speech is an allegory for Karl Marx’s and Vladimir Lenin’s philosophies, advocating for a classless society and the overthrow of oppressors.
In his speech, Old Major says:
“All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.”
This rallying cry plants the seed of rebellion among the animals, inspiring them to envision a world free from human tyranny. However, Old Major dies soon after, leaving the animals with only the memory of his vision and the hope of a better future.
The Rebellion
Soon after Old Major’s death, the animals, fed up with Mr. Jones’s neglect and abuse, stage a rebellion. They chase Mr. Jones and his men off the farm and establish their own rule, renaming Manor Farm to Animal Farm. The pigs, considered the smartest animals on the farm, take on leadership roles, with two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, emerging as prominent figures.
Snowball and Napoleon initially work together, promoting the ideals of Animalism and instituting The Seven Commandments, a set of rules meant to ensure equality among all animals. Key commandments include:
- Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
- Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
- No animal shall wear clothes.
- No animal shall drink alcohol.
- No animal shall kill any other animal.
- All animals are equal.
These commandments serve as the backbone of Animal Farm’s new society, representing the foundational ideals of equality and unity.
Snowball vs. Napoleon
As the story progresses, power struggles emerge between Snowball and Napoleon, mirroring the ideological rift between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Snowball is a visionary, advocating for innovations like a windmill to generate electricity and improve life on the farm. Napoleon, on the other hand, is more authoritarian and prefers to consolidate power.
The two leaders clash over the windmill project, with Snowball passionately arguing for its benefits. However, Napoleon opposes it, secretly fearing that Snowball’s popularity may threaten his own authority. In a dramatic twist, Napoleon uses his trained dogs—a private army he raised in secret—to chase Snowball off the farm, solidifying his hold on power.
This turning point marks the beginning of a descent into dictatorship on Animal Farm, with Napoleon seizing absolute control.
The Rise of Napoleon’s Dictatorship
Once in power, Napoleon swiftly dismantles the principles of Animalism, replacing equality with tyranny. He begins to rule through fear, using propaganda (spread by Squealer, a manipulative pig who twists facts) and a personal army of dogs to maintain control. He assumes the position of supreme leader, reminiscent of Stalin’s rise to dictatorial power in the Soviet Union.
Napoleon enforces his rule by revising the Seven Commandments to suit his own needs. As his regime becomes more corrupt, the commandments are changed one by one. For example:
- “No animal shall drink alcohol” becomes “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.”
- “No animal shall kill any other animal” is altered to “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.”
- Ultimately, the final commandment, “All animals are equal,” is changed to “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
These changes reflect the betrayal of the revolution’s original ideals, showing how those in power manipulate language and truth to serve their own ends.
The Exploitation of the Working Class
While Napoleon and the pigs enjoy increasing luxury, the common animals, especially Boxer the horse, work harder than ever. Boxer embodies the hardworking, loyal proletariat who trusts in the leadership and believes that dedication will lead to a better future. His personal motto, “I will work harder,” reflects his unwavering commitment to Animal Farm’s cause, despite the increasingly evident corruption of its leaders.
Tragically, Boxer’s blind loyalty leads to his demise. When he is no longer useful, Napoleon sells him to a glue factory to purchase alcohol, symbolizing the betrayal of the working class by those in power. This event highlights Orwell’s critique of exploitation within totalitarian systems, where the leaders abandon their promises once they achieve personal gain.
Corruption of Ideals and the Final Betrayal
As Napoleon consolidates his power, the pigs begin to adopt human behaviors, such as walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and engaging in trade with neighboring human farmers. In a chilling scene near the end of the book, the animals look through the farmhouse window to see the pigs and humans dining together, indistinguishable from each other.
Orwell concludes with the haunting line:
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
This final image symbolizes the complete betrayal of Animalism’s principles and the convergence of the oppressed with their former oppressors. The animals’ revolution, once driven by hopes of equality and justice, has come full circle, leaving them in a worse situation than before.
Character Analysis
Napoleon: A power-hungry and ruthless pig who gradually usurps control of Animal Farm, mirroring Stalin’s rise to power. Napoleon uses manipulation, propaganda, and violence to maintain his authority, ultimately betraying the revolution’s ideals for personal gain.
Snowball: An intelligent and idealistic pig who represents Trotsky. Snowball’s vision for Animal Farm, including the windmill project, reflects a commitment to progress and innovation. His exile by Napoleon signifies the suppression of dissent and the prioritization of authoritarian control over democratic ideals.
Boxer: A symbol of the loyal working class, Boxer is a hardworking horse whose faith in the leadership ultimately leads to his downfall. His tragic fate underscores Orwell’s critique of how totalitarian regimes exploit the masses.
Squealer: The farm’s propagandist, who manipulates language and spreads lies to justify Napoleon’s actions. Squealer represents the role of media and propaganda in maintaining oppressive rule.
Themes and Motifs
The Corruption of Power: Animal Farm demonstrates how those who attain power often abandon their ideals and become the very oppressors they once fought against.
The Dangers of Totalitarianism: Orwell warns of the perils of totalitarian rule, showing how authoritarian leaders use fear, propaganda, and betrayal to consolidate control.
Class Struggle and Exploitation: The novel depicts the exploitation of the working class, highlighting the divide between the ruling elite and the laborers who sustain them.
Language as a Tool of Manipulation: Through Squealer’s propaganda, Orwell illustrates how language can be used to control and manipulate, rewriting history and distorting truth.
Key Quotes
On Power and Corruption:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
On Idealism and Betrayal:
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
On Blind Loyalty:
“I will work harder.” - Boxer’s mantra, which symbolizes the exploited loyalty of the working class.
Conclusion
Animal Farm remains a powerful allegory that critiques the corrupting influence of power and the ease with which idealism can be distorted into tyranny. Orwell’s portrayal of the animal’s revolution as a cycle of oppression and betrayal highlights the dangers of authoritarianism, serving as a timeless warning against the perils of totalitarian regimes. The novel’s universal themes continue to resonate, reminding readers of the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic ideals and challenging authoritarianism.
One-Sentence Takeaway: Animal Farm exposes the corrupting nature of power, illustrating how revolutions that begin with high ideals often devolve into oppression, making it a timeless reflection on the dangers of totalitarianism.