Animal Farm by George Orwell

Introducation

"Animal Farm" is a book written by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945 that tells a story about animals on a farm who rebel against their human owner to create their own society. But as they try to govern themselves, they face challenges that lead to corruption and abuse of power.

Animal Farm is a famous novel that uses animals to represent political figures and events in a satirical way. It's an allegory about the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of Joseph Stalin's totalitarian regime.

The story takes place on a farm where the animals, led by pigs, overthrow their human owner, Mr. Jones, and establish their own government based on the principles of Animalism, which promises equality and freedom for all animals. However, as time passes, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, become corrupt and oppressive, resembling the human oppressors they overthrew.

The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and the manipulation of language for political gain. It shows how revolutions often lead to new forms of oppression and inequality, as those in power seek to maintain their control at the expense of others.

Through vivid characters like Napoleon, Snowball, Boxer, and Squealer, Orwell paints a powerful picture of the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of remaining vigilant against abuses of power. "Animal Farm" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of preserving democratic values.

Character list of "Animal Farm"

Old Major: A wise and respected boar who inspires the animals to rebel against their human masters by sharing his vision of a future without oppression.

Napoleon: A pig who emerges as a leader after the rebellion. He becomes increasingly authoritarian and manipulative as he consolidates his power on the farm.

Snowball: Another pig who initially shares leadership with Napoleon. He is intelligent and eloquent, advocating for education and progress among the animals.

Boxer: A loyal and hardworking horse known for his strength and dedication to the farm. He represents the working class and embodies the idea of blind loyalty to authority.

Clover: A motherly mare who cares for the other animals on the farm. She is compassionate and loyal but often feels powerless to change the oppressive conditions.

Squealer: A clever and persuasive pig who serves as Napoleon's propagandist. He manipulates language to justify the pigs' actions and maintain control over the other animals.

Benjamin: An old and cynical donkey who is skeptical of the revolution and its leaders. He is wise but often chooses to remain silent rather than challenge the status quo.

Moses: A tame raven who spreads stories about a place called Sugarcandy Mountain, where all animals go when they die. He represents organized religion and serves as a distraction from the harsh realities of farm life.

Mr. Jones: The irresponsible and alcoholic owner of Manor Farm. His mistreatment of the animals inspires them to rebel and take control of the farm.

Mr. Frederick and Mr. Pilkington: Human farmers who represent different political ideologies and interests outside of Animal Farm. 

Let's discuss chapters

In Chapter 1 of "Animal Farm," Old Major, a wise and respected boar, calls a meeting of all the animals on the farm. He shares his dream of a world where animals are free from the tyranny of humans. Old Major speaks passionately about the injustices they suffer under human rule and urges the animals to unite and overthrow their oppressors. He teaches them a song called "Beasts of England," which becomes their anthem of revolution. This song fills the animals with hope and courage, motivating them to stand up against oppression and fight for their freedom. Overall, Chapter 1 sets the stage for the animals' uprising and introduces key themes of rebellion, unity, and the desire for a better life.

Old Major's speech ignites a fire within the animals, filling them with a sense of purpose and rebellion. They begin to see themselves not as powerless creatures, but as equals deserving of freedom and dignity. The chapter sets the stage for the animals' revolution and highlights the power of unity and collective action in the face of oppression.

In Chapter 2 of "Animal Farm," Old Major, the wise boar who sparked the animals' rebellion, passes away. Despite his death, his revolutionary ideas continue to inspire the animals to take action against Mr. Jones, the oppressive owner of the farm. Fueled by Old Major's vision of a better life, the animals unite and launch a successful uprising, driving Mr. Jones away from the farm.

With Mr. Jones gone, the animals take control and rename the farm "Animal Farm." This signifies a new era where the animals govern themselves and strive for equality and freedom. Chapter 2 marks the beginning of the animals' journey towards self-rule and highlights the transformative power of Old Major's ideas even after his passing.

In Chapter 3 of "Animal Farm," the animals come together to create a new system called Animalism. This system is based on seven commandments that emphasize equality and fairness for all animals. These commandments serve as the foundation for their new society, where every animal has the same rights and privileges.

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

These commandments are established by the animals after the rebellion on Manor Farm and serve as the fundamental principles of Animalism, the new ideology guiding their society. However, as the story progresses, the commandments are altered by the pigs to serve their own interests, reflecting the corruption of power and the betrayal of the original ideals of equality and justice.

As the leaders of Animal Farm, the pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, play a significant role in shaping the new order. They emerge as influential figures who guide and direct the other animals. Despite their different personalities, both pigs are committed to the principles of Animalism and work towards its implementation.

This chapter highlights the beginnings of Animal Farm's transformation and the establishment of a new social order. It showcases the ideals of equality and unity that the animals strive to uphold under the leadership of Snowball and Napoleon.

In Chapter 4 of "Animal Farm", the animals experience the benefits of their newfound freedom and work together to run the farm without human interference. Snowball, one of the leading pigs, proposes the idea of building a windmill to make their lives easier and more comfortable. The windmill is seen as a symbol of progress and modernization.

However, Napoleon, another pig who is becoming increasingly powerful, opposes Snowball's plan. This disagreement leads to a division among the animals, with some supporting Snowball and his vision for the future, while others side with Napoleon. The conflict between Snowball and Napoleon foreshadows the power struggles and manipulation that will unfold later in the story.

Chapter 4 highlights the challenges of governance and decision-making in the newly established Animal Farm, as well as the growing tensions between different factions of animals.

In Chapter 5 of "Animal Farm", Snowball and Napoleon continue their power struggle on the farm. Snowball, known for his intelligence and eloquence, promotes the idea of education and progress among the animals. He believes that by learning and improving themselves, the animals can build a better future for everyone.

On the other hand, Napoleon, who is becoming increasingly authoritarian, is more focused on consolidating his own authority and control over the farm. He uses manipulation and coercion to influence the other animals and strengthen his position as a leader.

The competition between Snowball and Napoleon intensifies as they clash over various decisions and policies for the farm. Their contrasting leadership styles and ideologies lead to division among the animals, with some supporting Snowball's vision of progress and others siding with Napoleon's quest for power.

Chapter 5 highlights the ongoing struggle for leadership and dominance on Animal Farm, as well as the ideological differences between Snowball and Napoleon. It sets the stage for further conflicts and tensions that will unfold in the story.