Summary
Highlights
Years have passed since the animal rebellion. Most animals who remembered the revolution are dead, replaced by new generations who only know it as a distant tradition. Clover, Benjamin, Moses, and some pigs are the only survivors of the original rebellion. The farm is more prosperous, with a completed windmill and new buildings, but the animals' lives remain hard, while the pigs and dogs grow richer.
One day, Squealer takes the sheep to a remote part of the farm for a week, supposedly to teach them a new song. Upon their return, the other animals are stunned to see pigs, including Squealer and Napoleon, walking on their hind legs. The sheep, under Squealer's influence, begin to bleat, 'Four legs good, two legs better!'
Clover, with Benjamin's help, discovers that the Seven Commandments on the barn wall have been replaced by a single one: 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' Following this, the pigs begin carrying whips, install telephones, read human newspapers, and even wear Mr. Jones's clothes. Napoleon starts wearing a coat, breeches, and leggings, while his favorite sow wears Mrs. Jones's silk dress.
A week later, neighboring human farmers visit Animal Farm, expressing admiration for its efficiency and discipline, particularly the animals' hard work and meager rations. Mr. Pilkington praises Animal Farm, noting the mutual struggles between farmers and pigs, equating the 'lower animals' with 'lower classes'. Napoleon, in return, announces that the farm's name will revert to 'Manor Farm,' its original name, and abolishes the custom of calling each other 'Comrade' and the symbol of the hoof and horn on the flag to foster better relations with humans.
As the animals watch the pigs and farmers celebrate and play cards, they notice a disturbing transformation in the pigs' faces. A quarrel erupts when Napoleon and Pilkington both play an ace of spades. The animals can no longer distinguish the pigs' faces from the humans', signifying the complete corruption of the Animalist ideals and the pigs' full adoption of human oppression.