Animal Farm Summary and Analysis

Old Major, an elderly boar, gathers the animals to deliver a speech about overthrowing their human farmer, Mr. Jones. He calls for equality, freedom, and a better life without human oppression.

The animals, inspired by Old Major, rebel against their human farmer, Mr. Jones, and successfully seize control of the farm. They rename it 'Animal Farm' and establish a new society based on animal equality.

Seven Commandments are established to guide the new society on Animal Farm. These commandments emphasize equality and a rejection of human practices. The core principle is 'All animals are equal.'

The pigs, specifically Snowball and Napoleon, take on leadership roles, managing the farm's affairs. They strive to improve the animals' lives by organizing work and resource allocation.

Mr. Jones and other farmers attempt to reclaim Animal Farm. The animals, led by Snowball, defend the farm in a successful battle, showcasing their resilience and strength.

Tensions rise between Snowball and Napoleon over the future of Animal Farm. Snowball proposes building a windmill to generate electricity, but Napoleon opposes this idea.

Napoleon, using his secretly raised dogs, forces Snowball off the farm, effectively ending his leadership and marking the beginning of Napoleon's dictatorship.

Despite earlier vows against human interaction, Napoleon starts trading with humans. He justifies this by claiming it is necessary for the farm's survival, highlighting a shift towards human-like practices.

The Seven Commandments are subtly altered to justify the pigs' actions, and the animals' initial vision of equality is corrupted.

Napoleon uses his dogs to chase Snowball off the farm and establishes himself as the sole leader. He gradually becomes more authoritarian.

The animals work hard but get less food. Napoleon trades with humans, breaking his own rules. The pigs live luxuriously while others suffer.

The pigs continue to alter the Commandments to suit their needs, and the animals are no longer able to recall the original principles.

Napoleon sends the hardworking horse Boxer to the slaughterhouse under the false pretense of taking him to the vet.

The farm's original ideals of equality and animal liberation are completely undermined as the pigs become indistinguishable from humans.

The Seven Commandments are reduced to a single, ironic statement: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

The animals realize that their lives have not improved under Napoleon's rule and in fact, they have become worse off than they were under Farmer Jones.

The animals work harder than ever but are given less food, and the pigs start living in luxury. This exemplifies the growing inequality on the farm.

The humans attack the farm again. The windmill is destroyed, and the animals defend it, but still suffer heavy losses and remain impoverished.

The animals are deceived about the food supply, believing the bins are full when they're filled with sand. This highlights the pigs' manipulation.

Napoleon orchestrates a series of public confessions and executions of animals accused of conspiring with Snowball. This creates an atmosphere of fear and paranoia on the farm.

The pigs take leadership roles on Manor Farm but refuse to do any physical work. This highlights the pigs' early manipulation and growing power.

The farm is renamed Animal Farm and the animals establish the Seven Commandments of Animalism as their guiding principles. This marks the beginning of the animal revolution.