Animal Farm is a novel written by George Orwell in the 1940s. George Orwell was the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, an English novelist and essayist of the 20th century. Animal Farm is regarded as his masterpiece. Although a short book, it holds profound meaning and symbolism in its pages. The book is a political satire, with Orwell basing it on the Russian Revolution of 1917, as the events and symbols depicted in the story are closely aligned with those of the revolution.
Animal Farm tells the story of a farm owned by a drunkard, Mr. Jones, who is very cruel to his animals, leaving them in a pathetic condition. One day, the animals hold a meeting where an old, ailing pig named Major shares with them the miseries they have all suffered under human rule. Major tells the animals that everything they produce is taken by Jones, and they receive nothing in return. He urges them to take control of the farm and expel Jones. Before he dies, Major cautions them, saying: “When you get rid of Jones, don’t be like him.”
Following Major’s death, the animals revolt against Jones. The revolution is successful, and Jones is driven away from the farm. Although Jones later attempts to return, he is defeated once again, and the animals assume control of the farm, renaming it Animal Farm. The animals, led by a pig named Snowball, hold a meeting to decide their future. They agree not to occupy Jones’ house, but another pig, Napoleon, disagrees and is ignored.
The animals, under Snowball’s leadership, create a set of rules for the farm:
- Never sleep on Jones’ bed.
- Never drink alcohol.
- Never fight fellow animals.
- Two-legged ones are the enemy.
- Treat all animals as equals.
For a time, the farm runs smoothly under these rules, and there is peace and harmony. Snowball frequently holds meetings where they celebrate how much better life is now compared to when Jones was in charge. Snowball also plans to build a windmill that will generate electricity to reduce the animals’ labor. However, Napoleon, who has been watching Snowball closely, seizes the opportunity. During a meeting, when Snowball announces his plans for the windmill, Napoleon interrupts and claims that it was his idea. He also reveals that he has been secretly training a group of wild dogs, who help him chase Snowball off the farm. Napoleon takes over as the new leader and spreads propaganda, claiming Snowball was a traitor who wanted to bring Jones back to power.
Under Napoleon’s rule, the pigs become the new aristocracy, receiving special privileges, including more food than the other animals, which directly contradicts the principle that all animals are equal. Meanwhile, Napoleon begins to confiscate the hens’ eggs, selling them for profit. When the hens protest, Napoleon ruthlessly has them killed. The pigs also start drinking alcohol, further breaking the farm’s rules. As time goes on, the farm descends into chaos. One day, the nearly completed windmill is destroyed by a bomb planted by Jones. Despite the setback, Napoleon orders that work begin again, and the animals are forced to rebuild the mill from scratch. The pigs do not work, and all the burden falls on the other animals, who become increasingly fatigued and disheartened.
Soon, Boxer, a hardworking horse who inspires the other animals, is injured when a stone falls on him. Napoleon, seeing Boxer as no longer useful, sends him away, claiming he is being sent to a veterinary clinic. The animals realize that Boxer will never return and that Napoleon has condemned him to his death. Eventually, the animals, treated with extreme cruelty by Napoleon, decide to organize another revolt—this time against him and the pigs. However, when Napoleon learns of the rebellion, he calls upon his wild dogs to kill the dissenters. But the dogs are so drunk that they can barely carry out their orders. The farm’s situation grows more dire, and the animals’ hopes for change seem increasingly futile. The book ends with the animals’ failed revolt, leaving Napoleon in control.
