Animal Farm by George Orwell

• An allegorical novella by George Orwell, published in 1945.
• Represents events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
• Uses animals on a farm to symbolize different social classes and political figures.
• Explores themes of totalitarianism, social inequality, and corruption of power.

Characters

• Old Major: An aged pig who inspires the Rebellion with his vision of a socialist utopia.
  • Based on Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin.
  • His teachings form the basis of Animalism.
• Napoleon: A Berkshire boar who seizes control of the farm through manipulation and terror.
  • Represents Joseph Stalin.
  • Uses propaganda and violence to maintain his power.
• Snowball: A pig who advocates for modernization and improvement of the farm.
  • Represents Leon Trotsky.
  • Driven out by Napoleon and becomes a scapegoat.
• Squealer: A pig who serves as Napoleon's propagandist, distorting information and manipulating language.
  • Embodies propaganda and the control of information in totalitarian regimes.
• Boxer: A loyal and hardworking cart-horse who believes in the ideals of the Rebellion.
  • Represents the exploited working class.
  • His motto is "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right".
• Clover: A gentle mare who suspects the pigs of corruption but is unable to articulate her doubts.
  • Represents the more intelligent but powerless working class.
• Benjamin: A cynical donkey who remains skeptical of the revolution.
  • Represents the intellectuals who are aware of the corruption but do little to resist.
• Moses: A raven who spreads stories of Sugarcandy Mountain, representing religion.
  • Initially allowed by the pigs, then later returns when the pigs find him useful.
• The Dogs: Napoleon's personal bodyguards, used to enforce his rule through fear.
  • Represent the secret police or military force of a totalitarian regime.
• The Sheep: Followers of Napoleon, they are easily manipulated and repeat slogans.
  • Represent the blind followers of totalitarian regimes.
• Mr. Jones: The original owner of Manor Farm, representing Tsar Nicholas II.
  • An irresponsible and neglectful farmer overthrown by the animals.
• Mr. Frederick: The owner of Pinchfield farm who tricks Napoleon and attacks Animal Farm.
  • Represents Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.
• Mr. Pilkington: Owner of Foxwood farm, who is a shrewd and opportunistic neighbor.
  • Represents the Allied powers (Britain and US).

Plot Summary

• Old Major inspires the animals of Manor Farm to rebel against Mr. Jones due to his maltreatment.
• After Old Major's death, the animals successfully revolt and establish Animal Farm.
• They create a set of principles called Animalism, summarized in the Seven Commandments.
• The pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, emerge as leaders, but they develop different visions for the farm.
• Napoleon uses his dogs to chase Snowball off the farm and assumes total control.
• Under Napoleon's rule, the farm gradually becomes a totalitarian state.
• The pigs begin to resemble humans, adopting their behaviors and vices.
• The Seven Commandments are altered to justify the pigs' actions.
• The animals are overworked and oppressed, while the pigs live in luxury.
• Boxer is sold to the glue factory when he is no longer useful.
• The pigs change the name of the farm back to Manor Farm, undoing the revolution.
• The story concludes with the pigs indistinguishable from the humans, symbolizing the complete corruption of the revolution's ideals.

Themes

• Totalitarianism: The novel critiques the dangers of centralized power and the suppression of individual freedom.
• Social Inequality: The pigs exploit the other animals, creating a class system that contradicts the revolution's original goals.
• Propaganda and Manipulation: Squealer's use of language and misinformation demonstrates how propaganda can control public opinion.
• Corruption of Ideals: The initial ideals of Animalism are distorted and used to justify the pigs' selfish actions.
• Naivety and Ignorance: The animals' lack of critical thinking and education makes them vulnerable to manipulation.
• Power and Control: The novel examines how power can corrupt and how those in power will do anything to maintain control.

Animalism

• A philosophy developed by the pigs, based on Old Major's teachings.
• Represents communism/socialism.
• Initially based on equality and freedom for all animals.
• The Seven Commandments are the core principles of Animalism.
• Becomes corrupted as the pigs gain power, serving to justify their actions.

The Seven Commandments (and their alteration)

• Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy: Later changed to "Four legs good, two legs better".
• Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
• No animal shall wear clothes.
• No animal shall sleep in a bed: Later changed to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets".
• No animal shall drink alcohol: Later changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess".
• No animal shall kill any other animal: Later changed to "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause".
• All animals are equal: Later changed to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".

Symbolism

• The Farm itself symbolizes Russia/Soviet Union.
• The Windmill symbolizes Stalin's Five-Year Plans.
• The Battle of the Cowshed symbolizes the Russian Civil War.
• The confessions and executions symbolize the Great Purge.
• The card game at the end symbolizes the Tehran Conference.

Literary Devices

• Allegory: The entire novella is an extended allegory for the Russian Revolution.
• Satire: Orwell uses satire to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of totalitarian regimes.
• Irony: There is a strong sense of irony throughout the novel, as the animals' revolution leads to an even worse state of oppression.
• Foreshadowing: Hints of the pigs' future corruption are present early in the story.
• Anthropomorphism: Animals are given human characteristics, thoughts, and emotions.