Animal Farm Summary

📚 Animal Farm - George Orwell

'Animal Farm' is a political satire novel published in 1945 by George Orwell, written in response to the rise of Stalinist totalitarianism following World War II. Through the symbolic narrative of a farm run by animals, Orwell insightfully explores the collapse of utopian ideals and the inherent dangers of power. This summary presents the story in chronological order, focusing on the emotional shifts of characters and key events in a literary and empathetic tone.

✨ Dawn of a Dream: The Start of Revolution

At Manor Farm, animals suffer daily from neglect and exploitation under the human farmer, Mr. Jones. One night, a wise old boar named Old Major gathers the animals to share his vision of a world without humans, where animals are free and equal.

“Man does not give milk, lay eggs, or pull the plow, yet he rules over all,” he declares. "We must be free!" His speech ignites a fire of rebellion in the animals. Soon after, Old Major dies, and the animals prepare to realize his vision.

🌟 The Flame of Rebellion and the Joy of Freedom

When Mr. Jones neglects to feed the animals for days, they rise up and overthrow him in fury. They rename the farm Animal Farm and write the Seven Commandments of animalism on the barn wall.

During this period, animals enjoy working for themselves, sharing harvests, and experiencing a newfound freedom. Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, emerge as leaders trying to guide the farm toward order and prosperity.

🛡️ A Division of Power: Snowball vs. Napoleon

As time passes, ideological conflict erupts. Snowball proposes building a windmill to produce electricity and improve life, while Napoleon strongly opposes the idea. Eventually, Napoleon uses trained dogs to violently expel Snowball and seize power.

From that point, the farm shifts into a dictatorship. Squealer, Napoleon’s propagandist, justifies every decision with manipulative language. The windmill project is falsely claimed to be Napoleon's idea, and Snowball is labeled a traitor. Truth becomes blurred, and memory is reshaped by propaganda.

⚠️ Blood-Stained Ideals

Napoleon solidifies his rule through fear. He forces false confessions and carries out public executions of fellow animals. That night, shaken and grieving, the animals huddle together and sing a somber anthem of lost hope.

Boxer, the loyal workhorse, repeats “Napoleon is always right” as he toils harder. When he collapses from exhaustion, the pigs claim to send him to the hospital, but he is actually sent to the slaughterhouse. The animals feel betrayed but remain silent—fear and resignation have silenced their voices.

🕵️‍️ The Endgame: No Difference from Humans

Over time, the pigs begin walking on two legs and dressing like humans. When neighboring farmers visit, the animals watch in disbelief as pigs and humans drink together, laughing and toasting in unison.

Their faces are indistinguishable—there is no longer a difference between oppressor and oppressed. The Seven Commandments have been erased and replaced with one: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

🌟 What It Means to Us Today

'Animal Farm' reveals how idealism can be twisted and destroyed by the corruption of power. Even words like democracy and equality can be co-opted unless they are actively protected and questioned. This story urges us to remain vigilant and ask: “In our systems, who truly benefits from ‘equality’?”