Animal Farm by George Orwell

A Political Satire on the Corrupting Influence of Power

A Revolutionary Classic.

After at least four publishers turned down Orwell's satirical novella, George Orwell's Animal Farm was originally published in 1945. The fundamental issue was that the book was a thinly veiled criticism of Stalinist Russia. After all, the animals refer to themselves as "comrades," and readers didn't have to look too hard to see Napoleon and Snowball as stand-ins for Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. In reality, the animal's insurrection against Farmer Jones plainly alludes to the October Revolution of 1917.

In 1945, however, Russia was considered a British ally. The Red Army had just played a key role in defeating the Nazis. Many others felt it was not the greatest moment to write a severe assessment of Stalin.

Eventually, Fredric Warburg of the Secker and Warburg publishing business stepped up to issue the book on August 17, 1954, despite opposition from other members of the firm, including Warburg's own wife. A few years later, Warburg published Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and both novels were among the most acclaimed of the twentieth century.

Scene 1: Major's Dream.

All of the animals at Manor Farm were talking about the same thing. Old Major had a dream. A special conference would be held in the barn, indicating the crucial nature of Old Major's dream. Old Major, a 12-year-old prize-winning Middle White boar, was highly regarded. He was the wise elder among them, and if he had anything essential to say, no one grumbled about giving up an hour of sleep to hear it.

The farmer, Mr. Jones, had come home intoxicated from the tavern and fallen asleep, so everyone was free to congregate in the barn. Old Major addressed the gathering from a slightly higher podium, perched on his straw bed. The hens, sheep, ducklings, horses, dogs, pigs, donkeys, and even the pigeons listened intently.

Old Major cleared his throat and stated that while part of the reason for this gathering was to tell his incredible dream, it was also time to pass on his knowledge. He was an elderly hog, and his days were limited. But, after years of experience, he thought he had a better understanding of the nature of existence than any other living being. And life was painful, arduous, and brief.

As the robust old boar demonstrated, the life of an animal in England was one of terrible enslavement. Their captors forced the animals to work hard and survive on meager rations. Then, when they became no longer useful, their captors cruelly ended their lives. And what caused all of this misery? Quite simply, man. A man serves only his own interests. Man is the only creature that eats and creates nothing. Man does not give milk or eggs. He lacks the strength to draw a plow and the speed to capture rabbits. He exploits animals for these objectives, consuming or converting everything into profit. The animals receive limited meals and are provided with a chilly, dry place to sleep in exchange for their labor.

Old Major then addresses his major point, saying, "This is my message to you, comrades: Rebellion! We must strive to topple the human race. It may not occur tomorrow or even a hundred years from now. However, justice will finally prevail. In the meantime, we must spread the news. Inform all animals that we will no longer work under the terrible grip of man. We can and will work for our own gain. That one day we shall be free and affluent by our own work. Let them know that we can unite in our struggle and reap the rewards. All humans are adversaries, and all animals are allies."

Cheers erupted in the barn. Practically everyone, except for a few cats and dogs, promptly conducted a vote and unanimously agreed to regard wild creatures such as rabbits and rats as allies. Old Major then established the fundamental rules of their resistance, which would become known as the Seven Commandments.

Whatever moves on two legs is an adversary.

Whatever has four legs or wings is a buddy.

No animal shall wear clothing.

No animal shall sleep on a bed.

No animal shall consume alcohol.

No animal shall kill another animal.

Every animal is equal.

Finally, Old Major began to explain his dream. It was a picture of a world without mankind. He was unable to adequately recount the contents of his dream. However, he could describe the music that the dream inspired. It was a song his mother used to sing, but she couldn't recall all the lyrics. Previous generations had forgotten the song. But in his dream, Old Major heard every single verse.

He then taught the animals the song, "Beasts of England." The song depicted a glorious future in which creatures would be the only ones walking England's fertile fields. It struck a chord with every animal in the barn, and they sang it over and over until they remembered every word.

Scene 2: The Battle for the Cowshed

Old Major died three days after the gathering in the large barn. Since his speech, the animals on Manor Farm have been abuzz with talk and hidden activity.

The pigs were widely regarded as the most intelligent creatures on the farm; therefore, they were given many of the tasks of preparing for the rebellion. Over the following several months, the pigs learned themselves to read and write, with two adolescent boars in particular gaining prominence. Napoleon was a huge, scary Berkshire boar. The other was a much more animated and inventive pig named Snowball. There was also a third pig, named Squealer, who was an excellent and convincing speaker. The farm widely acknowledged Squealer's ability to change black into white.

These three pigs developed Old Major's teachings into a fully formed philosophy of thinking that they named Animalism. They worked hard to elucidate the ideas and ideals of animalism and persuade everyone of the benefits that awaited them.

This continued on for several months, culminating in one day in June. At the time, Mr. Jones was drinking more than usual, and his employees had grown increasingly sluggish and dishonest. When another day passed without feeding the animals, one of the cows kicked down the entrance to the feed shed, prompting everyone to begin helping themselves.

Jones woke up from his drunken slumber, and he and four of his workers rushed in with whips in hand, attempting to control the ravenous beasts. However, the animals turned on their tormentors. An insurrection had begun. Hooves and heads pounded Jones and his men, forcing them to flee. Hooves and heads pounded Jones and his men, driving them to flee, while the animals remained on their heels until they reached the safety of the street and closed the gate behind them.

And that was all. Suddenly, the rebellion occurred. Initially, the animals were shocked. But then, after surveying the grounds, they started celebrating. We burned the harnesses and whips. We tossed knives and shackles into the well.

The next morning, the animals broke inside the farmhouse but chose to leave it mainly intact. They agreed that the farmhouse would function as a museum, with no animals ever dwelling there. Subsequently, they changed the sign at the entrance from "Manor Farm" to "Animal Farm." At this time, Snowball took a paintbrush and scribbled the Seven Commandments on the wall of the main barn. Animals who couldn't read listened as the Seven Commandments were read out, and every single one agreed that these were excellent and vital guidelines to follow.

Snowball then declared that they must tend to the crop. The pigs' cunning and the power of the two passionately loyal plow horses, Boxer and Clover, ensured the completion of the job despite their hard work. The harvest exceeded everyone's expectations and surpassed any previous accomplishment by mankind in terms of both quantity and speed.

The task was really arduous, but no one felt burdened. Instead, it was rewarding labor, and everyone contributed their share. There was no squabbling, which had been a daily occurrence under Mr. Jones. The meal tasted better than ever before since it was their own.

The animals now have Sundays off. On this day, they had a flag-raising ceremony as well as a public meeting to make preparations for the next week and to present, discuss, and vote on motions. Napoleon and Snowball's disputes were always the focus of the arguments. Nonetheless, each gathering concluded with a harmonized performance of Beasts of England.

Snowball-led educational programs and groups to teach the other animals how to read and write. Snowball led these educational programs and groups. And for some, like the sheep and ducks, who couldn't acquire more than a few letters of the alphabet, he found success in teaching them a simpler version of animalism: "Four legs good, two legs bad." The sheep would cheerfully repeat this sentence ad nauseam.

Interestingly, Napoleon was not interested in Snowball's activities, but he was interested in the nine new puppies who arrived on the property that summer. After weaning, he took them to a loft in the barn and declared his responsibility for their education. Everyone soon forgot they existed.

In October, after chopping and storing the corn, Mr. Jones reappeared. The animals eagerly awaited this day and made all necessary preparations. Not only that, but the pigeons had told them that Jones and six other men from the nearby Foxwood and Pinchfield farms were arriving. Jones was holding a rifle, while the other men wielded sticks.

Snowball, who had been reading about Julius Caesar, planned the initial onslaught. After the soldiers broke through the gate, he sent in the pigeons, who swooped down on their heads, and the ducks and geese, who swarmed and pecked at their legs. It was a diversionary approach. After defeating the birds, Snowball led a second rush of sheep, who attacked the men from all sides.

The men's boots and sticks forced the sheep back, prompting Snowball to command a scream of retreat. However, this was another strategy. When the humans shouted and chased the sheep, they unknowingly fell into Snowball's trap. The horses, cows, and pigs were waiting in ambush near the cow shed. Snowball delivered the signal, directing another charge toward the people. Snowball charged directly toward Jones, who fired a shot from his rifle, injuring Snowball's back and killing one of the sheep. Snowball, bloodied but undeterred, pushed himself against Jones' legs, causing him to collapse and drop his weapon. Then Boxer stood on his hind legs and hit one of the Foxwood farmers, knocking him out. This quickly caused alarm among the other males. They skittered around aimlessly, enduring butts, goring, kicks, and bites, until they fled for the gate.

Shortly later, the Foxwood farmhand awoke and swiftly followed the others out the gate and down the road. The craziest victory celebrations might now begin. They raised the flag, sang Beasts of England many times, and held a funeral for the deceased sheep. Additionally, new honors were bestowed on the animals. The animals granted Snowball and Boxer the title of "Animal Hero, First Class." They also designated the 12th of October as the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed.

Scene 3: Snowball's Exile.

Animal Farm's animals had a difficult time in the months following the Battle of the Cowshed. That winter proved to be severe and hard, and some unusual things were already taking place.

Pigs selected apples and milk as their feeding sources. Squealer explained to the other animals that apples and milk are scientifically important for pigs' well-being. They're cognitive workers. Since the pigs are now in charge of the farm's administration and organization, they must obtain the necessary nutrients. Squealer would frequently warn the other animals that if the pigs did not get what they needed, the farm may fail and Jones would return. And no one wants Jones to return, correct? This was always a strong line of argument that put an end to any questions.

The animals decided that the intelligent pigs should be responsible for making farm policy choices, although all decisions would still require a majority vote before implementation. Given that Napoleon and Snowball were still on opposing sides on every subject, this was never simple.

The windmill proved to be the most problematic. Snowball had been reading literature he found in the farmhouse and got obsessed with building a windmill. This would not only aid with farm chores, but it might also serve as a source of power, providing light and heating to the barn throughout the winter. Snowball said that it would take a year of hard work, but once operational, everyone could enjoy three-day work weeks. Snowball had already begun to draw drawings for the windmill's construction.

The notion attracted most people, except for Napoleon, who opposed it. He informed everyone that they needed to focus on food production. If they made the windmill their first priority, they'd all starve.

But when it came time to vote on the topic, something odd happened. Snowball delivered a lengthy and thorough speech outlining every facet of his proposal. Napoleon, on the other hand, said little more than that he was opposed to it. But right before the vote, Napoleon let out a scary, high-pitched screech. At that point, the nine canines Napoleon had taken care of, now a year old, emerged in the barn. They all raced straight for Snowball, who narrowly escaped by burrowing through a hole in the hedge.

Napoleon, accompanied by the dogs, entered the stage and declared that a special committee, chaired by himself, would now assume responsibility for making all farm policy decisions. There would be no more Sunday gatherings. There would be no further arguments.

Many animals were perplexed by this unexpected change of events. But once again, Squealer had the solution. Napoleon accepted additional tasks. Obviously, it was for their own safety. Who knows what might have happened to the farm if they had built the windmill? Jones and the other farm adversaries are simply waiting for them to make a mistake like that. You do not want Jones to return, right?

Boxer, the plow horse, worked harder, devoted himself more to the cause, and received more appreciation from others than any other animal. He pondered it and concluded that, "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." Boxer was not alone, as this was the common reaction that swept the farm.

Three weeks later, however, Napoleon surprised everyone by announcing that the windmill plans were back on track. Confusion followed, but Squealer had an explanation. The blueprints had always belonged to Napoleon, but Snowball had stolen them. Napoleon used smart techniques to argue against the windmill. Napoleon removed Snowball, a dangerous figure, to safeguard the property.

More claims against Snowball were coming. Squealer eventually admitted that he was more than a thieving, cunning pig; he was a traitor who was now plotting with the surrounding farms. However, several of Napoleon's human-related actions raised concerns.

Apparently, they planned to trade with the nearby farms of Foxwood and Pinchfield. They would sell some hay, wheat, and eggs to get the supplies for the windmill.

Some animals remembered that the first Sunday gathering included resolutions to never trade with humans or use their money. However, Napoleon told the animals that killing was for the greater good. Squealer assured them that no such resolution against human trading had ever been approved or proposed in order to alleviate their concerns. If there was any discussion, it was most likely due to Snowball, the deceitful pig.

Perhaps more alarming was the revelation that the pigs were now residing in the farmhouse, eating their meals in the kitchen, and sleeping in beds. This was clearly against one or two of the Commandments, wasn't it? Upon examining the wall where the Commandments were inscribed, the animals discovered a startling revelation: the Fourth Commandment was not "No animal shall sleep in a bed," as they had recalled, but rather "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets."

All the time, the animals were pleased with their progress on the windmill. With their diligent labor over the last year, the building was about halfway done. Everyone was quite proud of their efforts, and no one worked harder than the plow horse, Boxer, who got up earlier and dragged more stones. Even so, he frequently heard himself encouraging, "I'll work harder." "I'll work harder."

So imagine the dread when a major storm erupted in November. It uprooted trees from the ground and tore tiles from the barn's roof. The next morning, the animals awakened to find the windmill in disarray. They found the stones they had battled with scattered throughout the ground. The foundation remained the only remnant of the stones they had battled with.

Napoleon walked back and forth. This was really a catastrophic setback. But then he turned to the devastated creatures and said, "Comrades." Do you know who is responsible for this? Snowball! Snowball did this!" They readily identified the tracks leading to and from the windmill as Snowball's and sentenced him to death, with a prize for anyone who apprehended him alive. With that, Napoleon began uniting the souls of the animals to rebuild and prevent the enemy from winning. "Forward, comrades!" Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"

However, in the months that followed, things became much more grim. The animals announced the withdrawal of Snowball's "Animal Hero, First Class" title. During the Battle of the Cowshed, Snowball really sided with the humans. Napoleon threw himself at Mr. Jones that day. Napoleon proudly wore the medals of both the "Animal Hero, First Class" and "Animal Hero, Second Class" awards, which he had granted himself.

When some animals questioned the account of the war, Napoleon lost no time displaying the repercussions of such unruly behavior. With his high-pitched screech, his hounds attacked four pigs, forcing them to declare their devotion to Snowball before ripping out their necks. More confessions and executions occurred until the stench of blood permeated the air.

Curious individuals discovered the Sixth Commandment, "No animal shall kill any other animal," inscribed on the wall, where it had always been written: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause."

Not long after the terrible day. It was illegal for animals to sing "Beasts of England." As Squealer noted, that is the hymn of the rebellion and the desire for a better society. The rebellion has ended, and a better civilization has emerged.

Scene 4: Return of Manor Farm

After the executions, Napoleon was no longer just Napoleon. They now referred to him as "our leader, Comrade Napoleon." The animals composed an ecstatic poem in his honor, titled Comrade Napoleon, and painted a giant portrait of him on the barn wall opposite the Seven Commandments.

Meanwhile, rumors circulated that Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield Farm was preparing an attack. But spirits remained high. In October, we finally constructed the windmill. It stood tall and solid since the walls were double the thickness they had been previously. The workers promptly gave it the moniker Napoleon Mill.

However, the worst rumors came true. Frederick and his troops attacked the property. The animals, armed with a dozen firearms, did not dare to fight as the humans put blasting powder into the windmill's base and destroyed the entire edifice, foundation included. But when they saw the blazing remains, they regained courage. The enraged beasts charged and engaged in a brutal, deadly battle. Boxer kicks shattered the skulls of three men. A cow gored another person. And when Napoleon's dogs entered the battle, the surviving soldiers fled.

That day, they slaughtered three sheep, a cow, and two geese. Every animal had one or more wounds. A gunshot hit Napoleon's tail. Boxer had a fractured foot and twelve rifle pellets in his rear leg. Despite the sadness felt by many, Squealer declared the awful tragedy a victory. At the Battle of the Windmill, the animals successfully repelled the humans. The animals held funerals and then celebrated for two days, during which Napoleon allegedly became shockingly intoxicated on whiskey.

Not long after, Napoleon began producing beer on Animal Farm. Those who believed the Fifth Commandment declared, "No animal shall drink alcohol," discovered it now reads, "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."

The winter that followed was harsh. Food and supplies were in scarce supply. However, they discovered that they were now transferring barley for brewing and feeding the pigs a pint of beer every day. Nonetheless, many speeches, processions, songs, and recitations of poems managed to lift the animals' spirits and distract them from their hungry tummies. After surviving the winter, the animals declared Animal Farm a republic in April. The animals unanimously elected Napoleon as president, despite him being the sole contender.

Work on the windmill continued, and Boxer's tireless efforts were as motivating as ever. But, by the summer, the old plow horse had reached his limit. He'd fallen and claimed that his lungs had given out. But he was not sad. He was looking forward to retiring. When the cart arrived, one of the animals discovered the inscription on its side: "Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer, and Glue Boiler," contradicting the animals' assumption that Napoleon had arranged for Boxer to be transported to a veterinarian. However, it was too late. No one ever saw Boxer again.

Squealer reassured the distressed animals, assuring them it was a medical wagon; they simply didn't have time to repaint the side. When the animals learned that Boxer had died in the hospital, they held a memorial, with Napoleon concluding his speech by repeating Boxer's two favorite maxims: "I will work harder" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right." Shortly after, the animals discovered that the pigs had somehow saved enough money for another case of whiskey.

The farm prospered over time. They constructed the windmill and acquired more property from Mr. Pilkington. The windmill did not supply heat or power for the barn, but it did grind maize and make a good profit. Plans to construct a second windmill were in the works.

With each passing year, it became less evident what life was like before the rebellion. Were the conditions better or worse back then? They couldn't recall, but Squealer's regular reports indicated that things were always improving. At the very least, they were working for themselves rather than for some oppressive human.

But then, one summer, the most incredible event occurred. Clover's shocked shout roused the animals, and they all turned to see what was going on. A pig standing on two legs was a sight never seen before. First there was Squealer, who walked awkwardly but steadily on his hind legs. Napoleon arrived, greeted with considerable bustle from his hounds and a loud, crowing cockerel. As he proceeded, he threw scornful looks in every way. The sheep finished the amazing spectacle by suddenly uttering a new sentence repeatedly: "Four legs good, two legs better!" "Four legs are good; two legs are better."

The Commandments received another modification, which was not unnoticed. There was just one now, and it said, "All animals are equal." However, some creatures are more equal than others.

The whips returned from this day on, this time carried in the upright pigs' trotters. They frequently left the property dressed in old clothing from Mr. Jones' wardrobe. Then, one day, the local farmers came to see Napoleon and sat at the dining room table with him, drinking and laughing. Napoleon raised a glass, stating that pigs and humans do not have competing interests. Mr. Pilkington lifted his glass and declared, "To the prosperity of Animal Farm!"

Napoleon had one final surprise. While enjoying Mr. Pilkington's toast, he was altering the farm's name. It would now be known by its original and true name, Manor Farm.

Final Summary

This famous novella examines the advent of Stalinism in Russia through the lens of a farm in England. The animals usurp Mr. Jones and transform Manor Farm into Animal Farm, hoping to create a more equitable and better society. However, a thirst for power persists, and one pig, Napoleon, tries to seize control and undermine the utopian goals of Animal Farm. Animal Farm gradually transforms back into Manor Farm, but this time Napoleon reaps the rewards.