Animal Farm Summary & Key Insights

George Orwell's allegorical novella, Animal Farm, tells the story of a group of animals who overthrow their human farmer, Mr. Jones, and establish a seemingly utopian society based on equality and animalism. The rebellion, led by the charismatic pigs Old Major (who dies before the revolution) and Napoleon, promises a life free from human oppression. The Seven Commandments of Animalism, initially designed to ensure fairness, become the foundation of their new order.

Initially, the animals work diligently together, transforming Manor Farm into Animal Farm. Snowball, a clever and idealistic pig, advocates for advancements through education and windmills, reflecting socialist and communist ideals. Napoleon, a more ruthless and power-hungry pig, manipulates the other animals through propaganda and a private army of vicious dogs. He systematically eliminates his rivals, including Snowball, whom he frames for sabotage.

Napoleon's gradual consolidation of power is the central conflict. He twists the Seven Commandments to serve his own ambitions, rewriting history and suppressing dissent. The animals, particularly the easily manipulated Boxer, a loyal and hardworking horse, remain blindly devoted despite the increasing disparity between the pigs' opulent lifestyle and their own grueling toil. The pigs steadily become more human-like, abandoning the principles of Animalism. They walk upright, wear clothes, drink alcohol, and trade with neighboring farms.

Squealer, Napoleon's propagandist, skillfully manipulates language to justify the pigs' increasingly authoritarian rule. He uses clever rhetoric to distort the meaning of the Seven Commandments, effectively erasing any evidence of their broken promises. The animals' initial dreams of equality and freedom are gradually crushed under the weight of Napoleon's tyranny. By the end, the pigs are indistinguishable from the humans they once despised, showcasing the complete corruption of their revolution.

Animal Farm serves as a stark critique of totalitarian regimes, particularly Stalinist Russia. The characters represent historical figures: Old Major mirrors Karl Marx, Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, and Napoleon embodies Joseph Stalin. The overarching themes explore the dangers of totalitarianism, the abuse of power, the manipulation of language and propaganda, the suppression of dissent, and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. The novella’s enduring power lies in its chillingly realistic depiction of how seemingly noble intentions can be corrupted and how easily a revolution can be hijacked by those seeking absolute power. The final scene, where the pigs and humans are indistinguishable, leaves a lasting impression of the cyclical nature of oppression and the ever-present threat to liberty.