Plot Summary
Just before his death, Old Major, the prize boar of Manor Farm, tells the other animals of his dream of a new life for them and encourages rebellion against the cruel drunkard, Farmer Jones.
When an opportunity arises, the animals drive Jones and his men from the farm, rename it Animal Farm, and take over its operation. Almost all participate enthusiastically in the work; the pigs, the cleverest of the animals, assume the administration. They write on the wall of the barn the Seven Commandments of Animalism (their elaboration of Major's ideas), which forbid animals to associate with human beings or to adopt human habits.Although the boars, Napoleon and Snowball, compete for leadership of the farm, they work together to beat off Jones when he attempts to recapture the farm. Snowball shows special bravery in this Battle of the Cowshed. Afterwards, the rivalry between the two - deepens, focusing finally on Snowball's idea for bringing the animals a better life by building a windmill. Napoleon opposes the idea and has his rival chased from the farm by his bodyguard of dogs. He takes over the project the windmill as his own.
With the work on the windmill and the increașing appetites of the nonproductive pigs and dogs, the living conditions of the other animals worsen. At every opportunity, the banished Snowball is used as a scapegoat by Napoleon. The Commandments are transformed one by one to justify the pigs' actions as they sell produce to human beings and adopt human comforts. Whenever the animals question anything, the threat of Jones' return is used to silence them.
When the windmill, only partly completed, collapses in a storm, the pigs blame Snowball again and announce an all-winter project to rebuild it. To suppress increasing dissatisfaction, Napoleon purges the farm of malcontents: several pigs and other animals. All confess to being agents of Snowball and are executed..
Napoleon becomes an almost legendary, godlike figure: he is called "Leader" and appears only on rare occasions. He institutes negotiations with neighboring human farmers for the sale of some timber. Napoleon appears to discredit Frederick and favor Pilkington, then sells the timber to the former. In the attack that Frederick subsequently makes on the farm, his men blow up the completed windmill.
Although the windmill is rebuilt and prosperity comes to the farm, Only the pigs benefit, and they grow more like humans all the time. One day they appear walking on their hind legs and carrying whips. And only one altered Commandment remains: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
From outside the farmhouse, the working animals observe Napoleon entertaining his human neighbors. It is impossible any longer to distinguish the pigs from the men.
Characters in the Novel
OLD MAJOR: The venerable old boar whose vision of a better life and call for rebellion are the inspiration for the founding of Animal Farm.
SNOWBALL: A young boar whose persuasive speech, organizational ability and intelligent plans make him a contender for the leadership of Animal Farm.
NAPOLEON: Another young boar whose ambition and direct approach to gaining power cause him to win the struggle for leadership of Animal Farm.
BOXER: A cart horse of immense strength, great loyalty, and small intelligence, who is foremost in projects requiring physical labor.
CLOVER: A mare whose motherly concern for Boxer and the other animals makes her a source of personal strength for all, especially during difficult times.
BENJAMIN: A donkey whose skepticism about social change and human nature persists unchanged. MOSES: A raven who regales the animals with stories about the better life to come on Sugarcandy Mountain.
MOLLIE: A mare whose frivolous attitude and vanity eventually cause her to leave Animal Farm and go to work for the owner of a tavern.
SQUEALER: A fast-talking porker who is used by Napoleon as chief henchman and propagandist.
JONES: The human owner of Manor Farm who is driven from his property by the animals.
FREDERICK AND PILKINGTON: Neighboring farmers.
THE DOGS: A group of fierce hounds, trained by Napoleon from puppyhood to serve as his bodyguards and secret police; three are named Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher.
THE CAT: An individualist who votes with both sides of any question but supports neither.
THE SHEEP: The uneducated masses who can (or will) grasp only oversimplified principles, but whom Napoleon finds useful for bleating slogans.
MR. WHYMPER: A sly human attorney, hired as an agent or middleman for transactions between Animal Farm and humans.
MURIEL; A white goat who has learned to read quite well.
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