Study Guide Animal Farm by George Orwell For the online version of BookRags' Animal Farm Study Guide, including complete copyright information, please visit: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-animalfarm/ Copyright Information 2000-2012 BookRags, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Study Guide 1
Introduction When Animal Farm was published in 1945, its British author George Orwell (a pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair) had already waited a year and a half to see his manuscript in print. Because the book criticized the Soviet Union, one of England's allies in World War II, publication was delayed until the war ended. It was an immediate success as the first edition sold out in a month, nine foreign editions had appeared by the next year, and the American Book-of-the-Month Club edition sold more than a half-million copies. Although Orwell was an experienced columnist and essayist as well as the author of nine published books, nothing could have prepared him for the success of this short novel, so brief he had considered self-publishing it as a pamphlet. The novel brought together important themes--politics, truth, and class conflict--that had concerned Orwell for much of his life. Using allegory-the weapon used by political satirists of the past, including Voltaire and Swift-Orwell made his political statement. In a twentieth-century fable that could be read as an entertaining story about animals or, on a deeper level, a savage attack on the misuse of political power. While Orwell wrote Animal Farm as a pointed criticism of Stalinist Russia, reviews of the book on the fiftieth-anniversary of its publication declared its message to be still relevant. In a play on the famous line from the book, "Some animals are more equal than others." an Economist reviewer wrote, "Some classics are more equal than others," and as proof he noted that Animal Farm has never been out of print since it was first published and continues to sell well year after year. George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair in Bengal, India, in 1903, into a family that had to struggle to make ends meet. The son of a British civil servant, Orwell was brought to England as a toddler. The boy became aware of class distinctions while attending St. Cyprian's preparatory school in Sussex, where he received a fine education but felt out of place. He was teased and looked down upon because he was not from a wealthy family. This experience made him sensitive to the cruelty of social snobbery. As a partial-scholarship student whose parents could not afford to pay his entire tuition, Orwell was also regularly reminded of his lowly economic status by school administrators. Conditions improved at Eton, where he studied next, but instead of continuing with university classes, in 1922 he joined the Indian Imperial Police. Stationed in Burma, his class-consciousness intensified as he served as one of the hated policemen enforcing British control of the native population. Sickened by his role as imperialist, he re turned to England in 1927 and resigned his position. He planned to become a writer, a profession in which he had not before shown much interest. In 1928, perhaps to erase guilt from his colonial experiences, he chose to live amongst the poor of London, and later, Paris. In Paris, he published articles in local newspapers, but his fiction was rejected. His own life finally provided the material for his first book, published in 1933. Down and Out in Paris and London, which combined fictional narrative based on his time spent in those two cities with social criticism, was his first work published as George Orwell. The pseudonym was used so his parents would not be shocked by the brutal living conditions described in the book. The next year, Orwell published Burmese Days, a novel based on his stay in Burma. Subsequent novels, including A Clergyman's Daughter, Keep the Aspidistra Flying and Coming Up for Air, all contain autobiographical references and served as vehicles for Orwell to explore his growing political convictions. In 1936, Orwell traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to write about the Spanish Civil War and ended up joining the battle, fighting against Spanish leader Francisco Franco on the side of the Republicans. Wounded, he returned to England. Two nonfiction books, The Road to Wigan Pier, a report on deplorable conditions in the mining communities of northern England, and Homage to Catalonia, the story of his participation in the Spanish Civil War, allowed Orwell to explicitly defend his political ideas. Dozens of pointed essays also revealed his political viewpoint. By that time, Orwell clearly saw himself as a political performer whose tool was writing. He wrote in a 1946 essay, "Why I Write." that "every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it." Introduction 2
Orwell's next book, Animal Farm, a fable about the events during and following the Russian Revolution, was well liked by critics and the public. He had had trouble finding a publisher during World War II because the work was a disguised criticism of Russia, England's ally at the time. When it was finally published, just after the war, it was a smashing success. The money Orwell made from Animal Farm allowed him, in 1947, to rent a house on Jura, an island off the coast of Scotland, where he began to work on 1984. His work was interrupted by treatment for tuberculosis, which he had contracted in the 1930s, and upon his release from the hospital in 1948 Orwell returned to Jura to complete the book. Under doctor's orders to work no more than one hour a day, but unable to find a typist to travel to his home, he typed the manuscript himself and collapsed upon completion of the book. For the next two years he was bedridden. Many critics claim that Orwell's failing health may have influenced him to make 1984 so pessimistic, and Orwell admitted that they were probably right. Orwell did plan to write other books, according to his friends, and married while in the hospital, but three months later in 1950 he finally died of tuberculosis. Introduction 3
Plot Summary Chapter I As Animal Farm opens, Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, is drunkenly heading to bed. The animals gather in the barn as Old Major, the prize boar, tells them that he has thought about the brutal Jives that the farm animals lead under human bondage and is convinced that a rebellion must come soon, in which the animals throw off the tyranny of their human oppressors and come to live in perfect freedom and equality. Major teaches the animals Beasts of England, a song which will become their revolutionary anthem. Chapter II A few days later, Major dies. The animals, under the leadership of the pigs, begin to prepare for the Rebellion. Two of the pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, elaborate Major's ideas into a complete system of thought known as Animalism. The Rebellion comes much sooner than anyone thought, and the animals break free of Jones's tyranny and drive the humans from the farm. Snowball and Napoleon paint over the name "Manor Farm" on the gate, replacing it with "Animal Farm". They also paint the basic principles of Animalism on the wall of the barn' Chapter III THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS 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 farm passes through an idyllic tone in which the animals work joyously together and make a great success of the harvest. The animals all attend weekly planning meetings at which the decisions for the future of the farm are made. After realizing that some of the other animals cannot read or remember the Seven Commandments, Snowball boils these commandments down to a single maxim: "Four legs good, two legs bad." But all of the milk and apples on the farm, it seems, are now to be reserved for the pigs alone. Chapter IV News of the Rebellion at Animal Farm begins to spread, and animals across the countryside are singing Beasts of England. The neighboring farmers, led by Mr. Pilkington of Foxwood and Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield Farm, attempt to retake Animal Farm by force. The animals, led by Snowball, successfully fight off the invaders in what comes to be known as the Battle of the Cowshed. Snowball is decorated as an Animal Hero, First Class. Chapter V Snowball and Napoleon fight a number of battles over policy, culminating in the controversy over a windmill which Snowball has designed and thinks should be built on the farm. Napoleon argues that the animals need to concentrate on food production. As the debate reaches fever pitch, Napoleon calls in nine dogs which he raised to be loyal only to him. Plot Summary 4
The dogs chase Snowball from the farm. Napoleon declares an end to the planning meetings Squealer, another pig who serves as Napoleon's functionary, convinces the other animals that Snowball was a criminal. A few days later, Napoleon declares that the windmill will be built after all, and Squealer explains that the idea bad belonged to Napoleon from the beginning, but that Snowball had stolen the plans. Chapter VI The animals' workload is repeatedly increased throughout the following year as construction begins on the windmill. Napoleon announces that the farm will begin trading with the neighboring farms, which seems to violate one of the early resolutions passed by the animals, but Squealer convinces them otherwise. The pigs, moreover, have moved into the farmhouse, and it is rumored that they are sleeping in the beds. The animals check the barn wall, vaguely remembering an injunction against this but the commandment says that "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." When the windmill is knocked down during a storm, Napoleon blames its destruction on Snowball and pronounces a death sentence on this traitor. The animals begin the laborious process of rebuilding. Chapter VII Rumors begin to fly that Snowball is sneaking into the farm at night, causing small bits of mischief. Moreover, it is asserted that certain of the animals on the farm are in league with Snowball. Napoleon orders a full investigation. A meeting is held in which the animals are invited to confess their connections with Snowball. All the animals that do confess are promptly ripped to pieces by Napoleon's dogs. The others are shocked at such bloodshed and try to comfort themselves by singing Beasts of England, only to be told that the song has now been abolished. Chapter VIII In the days after the purges, the animals seem to recall a commandment prohibiting the killing of animals, but when they check the barn wall, they discover that it reads "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause." Napoleon bargains to see Mr. Pilkington a pile of timber. The animals do not trust. Pilkington, but they prefer him to Frederick, who, it is whispered, is torturing his animals; in fact, Napoleon declares Frederick to be an enemy of the farm. But several days later it is announced that he has sold the timber to Frederick, and now Pilkington is the enemy. Frederick fools Napoleon by giving him forged banknotes for the timber, and, with a group of men, attacks Animal Farm and destroys the windmill. Squealer, however, informs the animals that the battle was a victory for the animals. Shortly after, the pigs discover a. case of whiskey in the basement of the farmhouse, and a raucous celebration is heard throughout the night. The next day it is announced that Napoleon is near death. When he recovers, the animals discover that the commandment which they thought said that no animal should drink alcohol in fact reads "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess." Chapter IX That winter, rations are repeatedly reduced on the farm, for everyone but the pigs. The animals are kept content, however, through an ever-increasing number of formal ceremonies. An old carthorse, Boxer, who has worked tirelessly for Animal Farm, suddenly takes ill. Napoleon announces that arrangements have been made to treat Boxer in a hospital in town. However, the truck that arrives to take Boxer away belongs to a horse slaughterer, and the animals erupt in a great outcry. They are pacified by Squealer, who tells them that, in fact, the truck has been purchased by the veterinarian but has not been repainted. Chapter X Plot Summary 5
The years pass, and the animals lead harder and harder lives, though at least no animal is lorded over by a human. Then, one day, Napoleon emerges from the house on two legs. The sheep's traditional chant of "Four legs good, two legs bad" has now, somehow, been changed to "Four legs good, two legs better." And the Seven Commandments have now all been erased from the barn wall and replaced with a single Commandment "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." The pigs begin reading newspapers, wearing clothes, and carrying whips in the fields. They call for a meeting between themselves and the human owners of the surrounding farms, at which Napoleon announces that the name of Animal Farm has been changed back to Manor Farm. The other animals peek in the windows of the farmhouse as this meeting progresses and are stunned to discover that they cannot tell the difference between the men and the pigs at all. Plot Summary 6
Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Summary This "fairy story," as Orwell describes it, begins on the farm of Mr. Jones. After Mr. Jones drunkenly retreats to bed for the evening, the animals gather to hear a word by old Major - a well respected pig who had a dream the night prior which he felt he needed to share with the other barnyard animals. Before Major delivers his speech, Orwell introduces many of the novel's main characters, who would each play an important role later in the novel: the horses Boxer and Clover, Benjamin the donkey and Molly the pretty white mare. Major feels he will not live much longer, and desires to pass on his wisdom to the others before it is too late. Old Major continues into his speech, where he announces that the life of an animal is "miserable, laborious and short," as a result of being enslaved by man. He describes man as the only true enemy to an animal as it is mankind who steals the fruits of an animal's labor for his own benefit. To Major "man is the only creature that consumes without producing" therefore making mankind a tyrant and parasite to animals by nature. His solution: To rebel against man in order to begin a new way of life - free from oppression. If the animals rose up against their master (Mr. Jones) and controlled their own fate, Major insists they would no longer need to work constantly while earning nothing in return. He further implores the animals to unite against man in perfect unity, focused on defeating their one true enemy. Old Major's speech stirs the animals into a frenzy as he leads them in singing Beasts of England over and over. Mr. Jones hears the animals making noise and quickly fires a shot into the air to quite them down. Soon after all of the animals return to their beds and fall asleep. Chapter 1 Analysis Almost immediately, the reader is made aware of the parallels Orwell creates between the struggle of the animals and the Russian Revolution. Although, the characters in the book are animals, they are intended to represent various revolutionary figures through their character traits. Old Major is the central figure of the first Chapter as it is he who fans the revolutionary flame across Manor farm. Major, like most of the characters in the book aren't as well known for their physical traits or individual characteristics as they are for the political figures they are intended to represent. The use of the term "comrade" in the language of the animals is a blatant representation of the ideology representing the Russian revolution that runs throughout the book. Orwell's message is clearly received by the reader through the simple, accessible language he constructs through the novel - almost in fairy tale fashion. Already in the first Chapter, the reader sees things the way the animals see them - the same perspective that clues the reader in to the grave turn the revolution takes as the story progresses. Chapter 1 7
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Summary Although old Major dies in his sleep just three nights after delivering his speech, his message lives on through the remaining animals on the farm. They are emboldened by his promise of a better future and begin to prepare for the coming revolution. The pigs, being the most intelligent animals on the farm, begin the task of educating the others and organizing for the revolution. Orwell introduces two pigs that stand out as natural leaders over the rest of the animals. The first pig named Napoleon, whom Orwell describes as a "large, rather fierce looking boar with a reputation for getting his own way" and Snowball, a pig characterized as being inventive and naturally engaging. Orwell also describes a third pig, aptly named Squealer, who has an unparalleled ability to convince others that "black is white" through his talents in persuasion and influence. The three pigs create a new school of thought named Animalism, based on the teachings of old Major. The pigs spread the message of Animalism to the other farm animals in secret meetings, held under the nose of Mr. Jones. Although the message was initially resisted by some of the animals, the persistence of the pigs leads to a quick acceptance of Animalism across the farm. Only one animal remains apart from the others in the revolution. Moses, the raven speaks of a place called Sugarcandy Mountain as he acts as a constant distraction for the rest of the animals. Moses acted as a spy for Mr. Jones and was favored by the old farmer over all other animals. Unfortunately for Mr. Jones, the revolution comes sooner than expected. After being left without food for a day and a half, thanks to Mr. Jones being too drunk to feed them, the animals broke through the door of the storage shed to get food, prompting Mr. Jones and his farm hands to attack the animals. The animals quickly turn on the men with a vengeance and drive them from the farm, nearly killing the men in the process. Mrs. Jones is awoken during the commotion and quickly gathers a few belongings. She flees the farm quickly as well. The animals are left with control of the farm and rejoice in their new found freedom. After investigating the boundary of the farm and the house to ensure no humans remained, the animals celebrate with an extra ration of food. The next day, Snowball re-painted the sign reading "Manor Farm" to say "Animal Farm." Both Napoleon and Snowball teach the other animals the Seven Commandments, which form the basis of Animalism: 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 another animal. 7. All animals are created equal. The animals proceed to harvest the hay, while the pigs are left to milk the cows. Although some of the animals ask for some milk, the pigs tell them they have more important things to attend to. Later that night, the others notice that the milk is gone. Chapter 2 8
Chapter 2 Analysis In the second chapter, Orwell introduces the reader to the new-found champions of old Major's ideology upon his passing. Snowball and Napoleon quickly emerge as leaders through their aggressive nature after old Major passes. The reluctance of the majority of animals to accept the revolution coincides with how the masses of any society resist a revolution, as it disrupts their familiar way of life. Resistance to change is only overcome by those who completely trust in the new leaders (Boxer), who in turn are able to influence others through their steadfast loyalty to the revolution. The formulation of the Seven Commandments is central to the message of the book. Initially, the new communist state holds all animals equal, in perfect harmony while disparaging any behavior that resembles that of a human. To the animals, human behavior breeds evil acts. By avoiding human behavior, the new society can avoid evil itself. As with the Russian Revolution, this perfect world soon disintegrates as it is hinted to the reader at the end of the Chapter that those in power may be breaking their own rules. Chapter 2 9
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Summary The animals work very hard, but they are eventually rewarded with a larger harvest then they have seen in the past. Animalism is met with great enthusiasm as everyone finally enjoys the fruits of their labor, free from the parasitic nature of man. Since the pigs were clever to figure out ways to use Mr. Jones' tools and coordinate the harvest, they did not do any work themselves. Instead they supervised the work of the other animals as they all pitched in to complete the harvest. Although they were met with some difficulties, the animals pulled through any problem thanks to the cleverness of the pigs and the strength of Boxer. Boxer arranged to wake up earlier than the others, work voluntarily during the animal's leisure time and he answered every problem the same way - "I will work harder." All of the other animals work within their capacity except for Mollie, who begins to shirk her work, and the cat who mysteriously disappears when work needs to be done. Even after the revolutionaries succeed, Benjamin the donkey remains as cynical as ever, unaffected by the change. The animals did no work on Sunday. Instead, they began to hold a flag-raising ceremony along with meetings to discuss the work that needed to be done for that week. The differences between Napoleon and Snowball become apparent in the meetings as they disagree on almost every point. Snowball begins various committees for different groups of animals, along with education sessions, which are discovered to be a huge success. By the fall, almost every animal was literate to some degree. For the animals unable to learn the Seven Commandments, Snowflake teaches them the phrase "Four legs good, two legs bad," which even the sheep can memorize and they repeat over and over. The farm dogs have a litter of nine pups, which Napoleon took from their mothers after they were weaned in order to educate them. The mystery of the missing milk is also solved as the pigs admit to mixing it in their mash along with the apples out of necessity, due to the strenuous mental work of running the farm. When the other animals question them, the pigs announce that without proper nourishment, they will be unable to determine how to defend the farm from Mr. Jones. The animals agree that having the pigs eat all of the milk and apples is a better alternative to having Mr. Jones return. Chapter 3 Analysis It is in this chapter that the reader discovers the beginning of the end of the proposed Utopia known as Animalism. The animal's idea of the new ideology presented by the pigs falls in line with old Major's version of a communist society. Unfortunately, the reader discovers in this chapter that the pigs are imposing a form of Authoritarianism, in which they control everything. Squealer's role as a propagator of lies is highlighted as he realizes the value in spreading fear as he persuades the animals to agree to everything the pigs suggest in order to avoid having Mr. Jones return. This chapter also highlights the categorical differences that lie between Snowball and Napoleon. Snowball is portrayed as the academic, teaching the animals how to read and write. He emerges as a disciple of old Major's vision. On the other hand, Napoleon is portrayed as subversive and deceitful. Orwell's brief exposure of how Napoleon kept the dogs to himself leads the reader to question whether or not a hidden agenda is beginning to take shape. Chapter 3 10
Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Summary Word of the Animal Farm rebellion quickly spreads across the country by late summer. Animals everywhere could be heard singing Beasts of England. Otherwise subdued animals on other farms begin to disobey their masters in subtle ways on a regular basis. Mr. Jones recounts his sad tale of losing the farm at the local pub and urges the other farmers to help him retake his farm from the animals. Jones and other local farmers attack the Animal farm in the hope of returning the power to Mr. Jones and quash any possibility of an animal uprising across the country. Snowball had prepared for such an event by creating a strategy based on Julius Caesar's battle plans from a book he found. All of the animals band together in battle. Snowball displays his fearlessness as leader and bravely attacks Mr. Jones, even as the old farmer shoots at him. The animals eventually defend their farm successfully, mostly due to bravery exhibited by Snowball and Boxer. Boxer appears to have killed a farmhand, but the man eventually runs off after reviving himself. The animals lose one sheep - shot by Mr. Jones. Boxer and Snowball are awarded a medal, "Animal Hero, First Class" for their acts of bravery in battle. The animals raise the flag and sing Beasts of England a number of times. The sheep is buried and Snowball gives a victory speech, calling on all animals to be ready to die for the cause of Animalism. Chapter 4 Analysis Snowball's numerous acts of bravery and leadership are contrasted with Napoleon's complete absence from the entire chapter. Napoleon is assumed to have not taken part in the fighting at all, while Snowball emerges as the true leader of the Animal farm. The reader is lead to question Napoleon's true commitment to the cause. Snowball's strength and utter commitment to the cause come through in his attack on Mr. Jones and his pronouncement that "the only good human is a dead human." By awarding Snowball with the medal, the animals confirm his position of leader, which contributes to increasing the already significant tension between him and Napoleon. Another interesting development that comes to light in this chapter is the outside world's view of the farm. The local farmers begin to spread rumors regarding Animal farm, much like the outside world casts a negative light on a newly revolutionized society - unaware of the truth and often contrary to reality. It is clear that the farmers want to end the existence of Animal farm as it threatens their own existence. Chapter 4 11
Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Summary With the workload increasing steadily, Mollie becomes more and more resistant to doing her share. Clover discovers her speaking with a neighboring farmer, to which Mollie denies. Clover visits Mollie's stall and finds a pile of lump sugar and ribbon. Three days later, Mollie disappears from the farm and the pigeons report her to be in the care of a human. No one ever mentions Mollie again. January brought very hard weather, which stopped the work from being done in the fields. Many meetings were held in which Napoleon and Snowball disagreed on almost everything, which eventually caused a split in the support of the animals. Snowball eventually develops plans for a windmill to be used to power various tools. Though many of the animals were interested, Napoleon remained disinterested and his only contact with Snowballs plans for the windmill was to urinate on them. The subject of the windmill divides the farm into two factions: those in support, and those against it. Once Snowball completed his plans, a meeting was held to decide whether or not to build the windmill. Snowball passionately argues for construction to begin, while Napoleon indifferently and briefly argues against it. After Snowball attempts to persuade the animals to build the windmill, Napoleon lets out a strange call no one heard before. The call summoned nine enormous dogs who attacked Snowball and ran him from the farm, nearly killing him. The dogs return without Snowball and the animals realize they are the same dogs that Napoleon took when they were puppies to educate. With the dogs by his side, Napoleon announces that Sunday morning meetings were no longer necessary and that no further debates would be held. The animals would simply receive their orders for the week that day instead. None of the animals resisted, only four pigs protested whom the growling dogs quickly silenced. Squealer goes around the farm convincing the animals of a number of lies including: Napoleon's willingness to accept leadership as a burden he must bear for the benefit of Animal farm and that Snowball's involvement in the Battle of Cowshed was exaggerated. Three weeks after Snowball is expelled, Napoleon orders the windmill to be built and Squealer convinces the animals that it was Napoleon's idea all along. Chapter 5 Analysis In this chapter, the tension between Snowball and Napoleon is brought to a head with Napoleon's deception involving the dogs and the violent expulsion of Snowball from the farm. Both pigs represent completely different styles of post-revolutionary leadership: Snowball being peaceful and intelligent and Napoleon being authoritative and violent. The use of the dogs for Napoleon's measures proves his betrayal to the rest of the animals as he secretly schemed against all others to use the dogs for his purpose of gaining absolute power. Squealer assumes the role of the government-controlled media in an Authoritarian society, able to convince the masses of almost anything as he acts as the voice of the tyrant in power. The reader is also introduced to another contrast representing the mindset of the masses in a post-revolutionary society. Mollie the mare represent those who miss the comforts and familiarity of the way things were, while Boxer represents those absolutely loyal to the cause - even though the ideology has mutated into something completely different than it originally was. Boxer's absolute trust in his charismatic leader is indicative of many followers of a dictator. Chapter 5 12
Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Summary The animals work like slaves throughout the year, but remain happy in their work knowing that it is for the benefit of animalkind, not mankind. During the spring and summer, the animals work 60-hour weeks. Work on Sundays becomes "voluntary" as well. This voluntary work comes with a condition - those who do not work on Sundays have their food rations cut in half for the remainder of the week, therefore prompting all animals to work Sundays as well. Construction of the windmill proves difficult as well since the animals have no easy method to transport the rocks and break them down to a manageable size. Boxer again proves to be a model of hard work and determination - able to do the work of almost all of the other animals alone. Food is plentiful enough for the animals to sustain themselves, and they are satisfied in the knowledge that they do not have to feed any humans as well, but certain material shortages begin to become apparent to the animals. Stock of items such as paraffin oil, nails, string, dog biscuits and iron for the horses shoes start to dwindle - materials that the animals cannot produce on their own. Napoleon announces that trade with neighboring farmers is necessary for the sake of the windmill. Although the animals vaguely remember this practice being taboo, they eventually agree. Squealer goes around the farm reassuring the other animals that trade with humans has always been allowed under the tenants of Animalism, especially when in dire need. The sight of Napoleon doing business on four legs, while Mr. Whymper stood on two was a source of great pride for the animals, even though they despised Whymper's presence on the farm. Around the same time, the pigs begin to reside in the farmhouse. Again, the other animals vaguely remember this being forbidden. As the animals look upon the Seven Commandments to verify their suspicions, they notice the wording clearly states that "no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." Squealer again convinces the animals that it was never wrong for the animals to sleep in beds and that the pigs should sleep in beds to be fully rested in order to ensure Mr. Jones would never return and that the farm runs smoothly. By autumn, the windmill was half built and the animals managed to store just enough food for the winter ahead. November brought with it a terrible storm that caused the windmill to fall to the ground, even though construction was half-complete. The animals were devastated at the sight of all of their hard work lying in pieces. Napoleon (in a rage) blames the destruction of the windmill on Snowball and orders that he be found and killed. Chapter 6 Analysis Napoleon and the other pigs in power continue to blatantly break the Seven Commandments - a symptom of the ruling party being caught up in their own power, while losing sight of their original values. Squealer's effective use of propaganda (present in most Authoritarian governments) continually eases the animal's growing suspicions. Napoleon emerges as a leader who now only concerns himself with his own agenda as he strays farther and farther from the original ideology suggested by old Major. His manipulation of the Seven Commandments instead of disguising or covering up his actions is very telling - as he no longer fears any resistance from the rest of the animals as he transforms Animal farm into a society that falls completely under his control. Chapter 6 13
He also effectively unites the animals against one common enemy (such as he did during the beginning of the revolution). Unfortunately, the Animal farm's common enemy is their true leader - displaying a complete reversal of the reality understood by the reader and that understood by the members of Animal farm. Chapter 6 14
Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Summary The ensuing winter was very hard, but the animals carried on with the reconstruction of the windmill. Due to the hard work and terrible weather, the moral begins to slide at Animal farm. Only Boxer and Clover remained dedicated to the cause. During the winter food supplies also fall short, threatening starvation for many of the animals. Napoleon decides to conceal this from the outside world and fills the empty food bins with sand to make them appear full, placing the remaining food on top. Mr. Whymper is lead through the farm so that he would see (and report to the other humans) that the animals had plenty of food. To solve the food shortage, Napoleon orders the hens to give up their eggs for him to trade for grain and meal to last the animals until the summer. The hens protest and Napoleon orders their rations to be stopped. After five days and the starvation deaths of nine hens, Napoleon eventually gets his way. Snowball is rumored to be in hiding and the cause of any harm brought to Animal farm. He is blamed for everything that goes wrong on the farm and Napoleon orders a full investigation into Snowball's activities. Squealer convinces the animals that Snowball will lead a second attack on Animal farm and that he was always in league with Mr. Jones, right from the beginning. Squealer, portraying Snowball as a fleeing coward and Napoleon as the brave fighter, successfully reverses the true happenings during the battle of Cowshed in the minds of the animals. Napoleon calls a meeting a few days later where he forces some of the animals to confess to treasonous crimes. The animals that eventually confess are brutally slaughtered before the others until a pile of dead animals lay in front of Napoleon. The remaining animals retire for the day and sadly reflect on how everything appears to have gone awry from what they originally intended for Animal farm. After the animals sing Beasts of England, Squealer tells them that the song is now banned, and is to be replaced by another song made up by Minimus the poet. Chapter 7 Analysis Hiding the food shortage from the surrounding farmers reflects how Authoritarian governments hide the suffering of their people from the outside world. By enlisting the help of democratic society, these governments show their weakness, which is why they cover up the suffering of their people at all costs. Especially shocking in this chapter is the cruelty Napoleon shows to those under his command. He shows the classic traits of a dictator by inciting fear in those he controls by violently punishing those suspected (not proven) to be against him. He again changes another of the Seven Commandments (#6 - No animal shall kill another animal) to suit his whimsy, making him able to do whatever he pleases as he becomes more and more corrupt. The change in song further exemplifies Napoleon's cruelty and lust for power, taking away one of the only remaining sources of pride and joy for the animals and twisting it into a self-fulfilling tradition. Chapter 7 15
Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Summary After the executions, the animals discover that another commandment has changed from how they remember it. The words "without cause" are added to the Sixth Commandment, which originally was "No animal shall kill another." The animals worked harder than they ever had before to rebuild the windmill while keeping up with the demands of the farm. On Sundays, Squealer would announce to the animals how their production had increased greatly from any prior year (a lie) to keep the animals encouraged to work hard. Squealer begins to deliver all orders instead of Napoleon directly, as Napoleon was no longer a public figure. Animals begin to speak of Napoleon with a great deal of reverence, giving him the formal title of "our Leader, Comrade Napoleon." A portrait and poem of Napoleon are posted on the side of the barn opposite the Seven Commandments. Finally the windmill is completed on schedule as intended. Napoleon arranges to sell timber to Frederick instead of Pilkington in order to raise money to pay for the windmill's machinery. It comes to light that the money Frederick pays for the timber is forged, which incites Napoleon into a rage and he orders Frederick to be boiled alive. The next morning, Frederick and an army of 15 men attack the farm. A fierce battle ensues and the men completely destroy the windmill. This causes the animals to attack with a vengeance and they eventually drive the men away from Animal farm, successfully defending their territory. All of the animals are injured to some degree, especially Boxer who sustains a bad injury to his leg and hoof, but Napoleon declares the battle a victory for the animals. The animals celebrate; yet do not share in the pig's excitement over the "victory." The pigs later come upon a case of whisky and drink heartily. Soon after, upon Muriel's inspection, the Fifth Commandment was changed to read "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess." Chapter 8 Analysis The poem created in Napoleon's honor and the way he is described by the other animals couldn't be further from the truth, which begins to display the level of absolute control he holds over the thoughts and minds of the animals. As his public presence is reduced, the animals begin to think of him on legendary terms, creating a figure more mythic than real. These fantasies about their leader are just that - a direct product of the propaganda continuously spread by Squealer. Even Napoleon himself seems to be detached from reality in the way he repeatedly fires the gun after the battle. His desperate attempt to continue to play a strong public figure, free from the possibility of failure begins to show in the dissenting opinion of the other animals. Unfortunately for Napoleon, he has built himself up to a point where anything less than perfection could be catastrophic for his image. The reader again sees the pigs change another of the original Seven Commandments to suit their needs. Each time the animals are convinced that they simply remembered wrong, which leads the reader to question how long this behavior can go on. The pigs came to power by using their superior intelligence and cunning as compared to the other animals. Their power is reinforced through the effective use of propaganda on the trusting masses. Chapter 8 16
Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Summary Boxer's hoof causes him a lot of trouble and Clover urges him to slow down to let himself heal properly. His determination to finish the windmill prevents Boxer from resting to properly heal and he pushes on. All the while he dreams of his retirement soon to come. Although the animals faced another harsh winter, Squealer eases their minds. Food rations for all of the animals are reduced (except for the pigs and dogs), but Squealer indicates that they have produced more food and were living more comfortably than ever before. The animals believe every word. The farm has a good year, but due to a shortage of money for the supplies to finish the windmill and to build a schoolhouse for the young pigs, Napoleon orders the hens to increase their output to 600 eggs a week. Rations are reduced for all animals in December and February, yet the pigs appear to be gaining weight. The pigs begin to use the barley to brew beer and declare that all barley is to be saved for the pigs alone. Napoleon holds regular celebrations known as Spontaneous Demonstrations and declares Animal Farm a republic. A presidential election is held with Napoleon as the only candidate. He wins unanimously. Moses the raven reappears to the farm after a long absence and speaks of Sugarcandy Mountain. Many of the animals choose to believe him in light of their own miserable lives. As Boxer's hoof heals, he works harder than ever to build the windmill, schoolhouse and tend to the fields. Boxer falls ill and Napoleon promises to send him to the hospital. The animals read the side of the truck taking Boxer away and discover that he is being sent to be slaughtered. Squealer quickly covers up the plot in yet another lie. Mysteriously though, the pigs come upon money shortly after and purchase a case of whisky. Chapter 9 Analysis The pigs are subtly pronounced to be of a higher class than the other animals in this chapter through numerous examples. Napoleon's declaration of Animal Farm being a republic displays how an Authoritarian government uses a puppet democracy to hold its citizens at bay. An "election" is held, though only one choice for leader is given. The animals are allowed to vote, which in the early days of the revolution had some relevance. Unfortunately, the animals vote no longer holds the same level of influence it once did. The realization by the animals of Boxer's true fate proves to be a strong test of Squealer's propaganda. In the end, he is able to once again pacify the animals with yet another lie. The reader becomes well aware of the hard reality the animals face, even though the animals don't. This bitter sense of irony is a central theme throughout the novel. Chapter 9 17
Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Summary As the years go by, many of the animals who remembered life before the revolution die off, yet Benjamin remains as cynical as ever - unchanged as he promised earlier. Though the animal population increases, the numbers weren't as large as originally expected at the beginning of the Revolution. Talk of retirement stops completely along with all of the luxuries Squealer promised earlier on. The farm grows quite prosperous thanks to the construction of the windmill, with plans to build another. Aside from the pigs and dogs, no animals reap the rewards of the farm's increasing riches. Squealer's lists indicate the animal's lives are better and better, though the animals don't feel that way. They do still feel a sense of pride by being free from a human master though. Squealer falls into a position of greater power as Napoleon ages and teaches the sheep to bleat "Four legs good, two legs better!" as the pigs learn to walk upright. Along with walking upright, the pigs begin to carry whips as well. The Seven Commandments are replaced by one, which states "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." Soon after, the pigs take on more and more human characteristics, such as smoking and wearing Mr. and Mrs. Jones' clothes. The pigs invite some of the neighboring farmers over to inspect the farm and as they gather with the men, the animals discover that they can no longer tell man from pig and pig from man. Chapter 10 Analysis By the final chapter, all of the original Seven Commandments are broken, replaced by only one, which signals the end of the original regime and ideology. The new regime is further reinforced by the aging and dying off of the animals involved in the initial rebellion. The division of classes becomes quite obvious which causes problems of its own. As the pig population slowly grows larger than the rest of the working class of animals, Squealer must devise numerous ways to keep the animals content, including the invention of constant "secret work" the pigs are supposedly doing. The act of the pigs taking on human characteristics brings about the final climactic scene, where the animals hauntingly discover that the pigs, unrecognizable from the animal's human enemies, are equally corrupt and parasitic - leaving the animals to discover they are no better off from where they started before the Revolution. Chapter 10 18
Characters Benjamin Benjamin, a donkey, is "the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered." He is a sad cynic who believes that whatever the animals do, conditions on the farm will remain equally as bad. Although he usually refuses to read, he is the one who reads the side of the truck that comes to take Boxer away and realizes it belongs..to the horse slaughterer. Benjamin is moved to action, but he is too late to save his friend. Benjamin represents the cynical intellectual who refuses to get involved in politics and so fails to affect meaningful change. His cynicism is much like Orwell's own attitude toward life. Boxer One of the two cart-horses on the farm, Boxer's biggest triumph is his work on the windmill. Despite his strength, he is sensitive to the feelings of others. During the Battle of the Cowshed, when he accidentally stuns a stable-boy with blows from his hoofs, he is remorseful: "I have no wish to take life, not even human life." Boxer has such blind faith in Napoleon that he refuses to question anything the pig says, reasoning, "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." He constantly repeats the slogans: "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right." In the end, once Boxer s health fails and he is no longer able to work, Napoleon sends him to the horse slaughterer. In Orwell's tale, he represents the common working class who unwittingly accept their base existence, because they believe by hard work they will get ahead and that their leaders will protect them. Boxer's lung trouble seems to refer to Orwell's own bouts with tuberculosis. Clover A "stout, motherly mare," Clover is one of the two cart-horses on the farm, and one of Boxer's closest friends. She tries to lead the other animals to see events as they really are but is often frustrated in her attempts. She questions the change in the fourth commandment of Animalism, yet she accepts Squealer's explanation of why it seems different. When Benjamin sounds the alarm that Boxer is being taken to the horse slaughterer, Clover runs after the van but is unable to stop it. Like Boxer, she represents the working class, particularly those who should realize they are being exploited but do not because of their own laziness or apathy. Frederick Mr Frederick is a neighbor of Mr. Jones who runs the farm called Pinchfield. His farm is better run than Pilkington's, but he is always involved in law suits. In Orwell's allegory, Frederick represents Germany--and its leader, Adolf Hitler. Like Hitler, Frederick is treacherous, and after signing an agreement with Napoleon he attacks Animal Farm, destroying the animals' windmill. Mr. Jones Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, gets the animals thinking about revolution when he gets drunk and is unable to perform all of the chores around the farm. When, in his drunkenness, he stays overnight away from the farm, and neither he nor his men feed the farm animals, the animals revolt and chase the humans out of the farm. Jones tries to retake the farm but is unsuccessful. He vanishes "to another part of the country" and dies there in "an inebriates' home." With his common surname Jones could be any farmer, and his farm any farm. In Orwell's political allegory, he represents Characters 19
Minimus Described only as "a poet," Minimus composes a poem in honor of Napoleon, and a patriotic song that replaces Beasts of England. Minimus represents artists who are used by totalitarian states for propaganda purposes. Mollie A vain white mare whose main concerns when Old Major calls for a Rebellion are having sugar lumps to chew and ribbons for her mane. She eventually flees the farm to work for humans. She represents those whose lust for material things blinds them to the importance of freedom. Moses A tame raven who belongs to Mr. Jones, Moses represents organized religion. He is tolerated by the pigs because he takes the animals' minds off their troubles by preaching to them about a happy laud called the Sugar Candy Mountain. Muriel A white goat (named after an actual animal that Orwell kept at his farm), Muriel reads better than most of the other animals and is called on to read the Commandments for them. Napoleon A "large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar, to Napoleon becomes the leader of the animals after Snowball is chased off the farm. He, Snowball, and Squealer are the ones who organize the thoughts proclaimed by Old Major into the principles of Animalism. Soon after the revolt of the animals, Napoleon takes nine puppies from their mothers to "educate" them. The puppies end up being his personal bodyguards and secret police force. He grows increasingly removed from the other animals, dining alone and being addressed as "our Leader. Comrade Napoleon." Like Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader who had negotiated with England while making a secret deal with Hitler, Napoleon negotiates with one of Jones's neighbors, Mr. Pilkington, while making a secret agreement with Mr. Frederick, another one of Jones's neighbors. Stalin had a reputation for arranging the death of anyone who stood in his way. After Napoleon chases his former friend Snowball off the farm, he has countless animals killed who confess to being Snowball's allies. Near the end of the novel, he stands on two legs, just like the men he had previously denounced, and announces that Animal Farm' s name will revert back to Manor Farm. His name is reminiscent of the historical Napoleon, who became the all-powerful, autocratic Emperor of the French. Like his French counterpart, Napoleon seems to embody the idea that with power comes corruption. Old Major A "prize Middle White boar," Old Major calls the animals together in the novel's opening scene to explain to them his vision of a world ruled by animals. Although quite old for a pig, he is described as "still a majestic-looking pig." He concludes his speech by teaching of the animals the song, Beasts of England. It becomes the rallying cry of the Rebellion. Three nights after the meeting he dies in his sleep. He represents Karl Marx, the German political philosopher who wrote, with Friedrich Engels, the Communist Manifesto (1848) that called the workers of the world to unite against the ruling classes. Mr. Pilkington Characters 20