Animal Farm: Summary and Analysis

Study Notes

The Significance Of The Seven Commandments

The Seven Commandments are the core principles of Animalism, the philosophy created by Old Major
The commandments are:
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.
The commandments serve as a moral code for the animals, promoting unity and equality
Throughout the novel, the pigs gradually modified the commandments to suit their own interests, undermining the original principles of Animalism

The Pigs Rise To Power

The pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, take control of the farm after Jones' expulsion
They establish themselves as the leaders, using their intelligence and cunning to manipulate the other animals
The pigs begin to abuse their power, exploiting the other animals for their own benefit
They justify their actions by claiming they are working for the greater good, but in reality, they are driven by self-interest

The Farms Transition To Animalism

The farm undergoes a significant transformation after the animals' rebellion
The animals rename the farm "Animal Farm" and adopt the Seven Commandments
The farm is initially successful, with the animals working together to harvest crops and manage resources
However, the farm's success is short-lived, as the pigs' corruption and abuse of power begin to undermine the farm's progress

Character Analysis: Old Major

Old Major is a wise and charismatic boar who inspires the animals to rebel against Jones
He is a symbol of the Russian revolutionary leader, Vladimir Lenin
Old Major's vision for a utopian society is based on the principles of equality and justice
He is a skilled orator, able to rally the animals and inspire them to take action
Despite his admirable qualities, Old Major's vision is naive and ultimately flawed, as it fails to account for the corrupting influence of power

The Russian Revolution Allegory

Animal Farm is a direct allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism
The characters and events in the novel are meant to represent real historical figures and events
Old Major represents Lenin, while Napoleon represents Stalin
The novel critiques the idea of revolution and the dangers of totalitarianism
Orwell's use of allegory allows him to comment on historical events without directly referencing them, making the novel more accessible and thought-provoking.

Description

This quiz covers the key events, characters, and themes in George Orwell's novel Animal Farm. It explores the significance of the Seven Commandments, the rise of the pigs to power, and the transition to Animalism on the farm.