Summary
Highlights
Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, neglects his animals due to his drunkenness. Old Major, a respected boar, gathers the animals to share his dream of a world free from human oppression, inspiring them to rebellion with a song called 'Beasts of England'.
Old Major dies, and the pigs, led by Snowball and Napoleon, develop his teachings into 'Animalism'. The animals successfully revolt against Mr. Jones, renaming the farm 'Animal Farm' and establishing the Seven Commandments of Animalism. The mystery of the disappearing milk highlights early signs of inequality.
The animals experience great success in their first harvest, working cooperatively. Boxer, a strong and diligent horse, adopts the motto 'I will work harder!'. The pigs supervise the labor and establish Animal Committees, though many fail while reading and writing classes see some success. Snowball condenses the Seven Commandments into a single maxim: 'Four legs good, two legs bad.' Napoleon takes puppies away for 'education', and the pigs begin to take special privileges like milk and apples, justified by Squealer to prevent Mr. Jones's return.
News of Animal Farm spreads, and neighboring human farmers, Pilkington and Frederick, fear similar rebellions. Mr. Jones attempts to retake the farm with the help of men from Foxwood and Pinchfield, but the animals, led by Snowball, bravely defend Animal Farm in the Battle of the Cowshed. Snowball and Boxer are decorated for their heroism, and Mr. Jones's gun is placed at the foot of the flagstaff to be fired on anniversaries.
Mollie, a vain mare, is seen interacting with humans and disappears from the farm, later reported to be working for a human. Snowball and Napoleon frequently disagree, notably over the construction of a windmill for electrical power. Snowball's eloquent arguments sway the animals, but Napoleon, using the privately trained fierce dogs (the puppies he took), violently expels Snowball from the farm. Napoleon then abolishes Sunday Meetings but announces the windmill will be built, claiming it was his idea all along, with Squealer reinterpreting events to support Napoleon's narrative.
The animals work tirelessly on the windmill, with Boxer exemplifying extreme dedication. Napoleon announces trade with humans, hiring Mr. Whymper as an intermediary, contrary to earlier resolutions. Squealer manipulates the animals' memories to justify these changes. The pigs move into the farmhouse and begin sleeping in beds, with Squealer altering the Fourth Commandment to 'No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets'. A violent storm destroys the half-built windmill, which Napoleon blames on Snowball as an act of sabotage, rallying the animals to rebuild it.
The winter is harsh, with food shortages. Napoleon uses fear and propaganda, orchestrated by Squealer, to consolidate his power. Animals confess to false crimes under duress from Napoleon's dogs and are executed. Napoleon's negotiations with Frederick over timber end in betrayal when Frederick pays with counterfeit money and then attacks Animal Farm, destroying the rebuilt windmill. The animals, though victorious in driving off Frederick, suffer heavy losses. Napoleon celebrates a 'victory' and renames the mill 'Napoleon Mill'. The pigs discover whisky in the farmhouse and again Squealer modifies a commandment, altering the Fifth Commandment to 'No animal shall drink alcohol TO EXCESS'.
Boxer continues to work incredibly hard, even with injuries, anticipating his retirement. However, when he collapses, he is taken away in a van. Benjamin realizes too late that the van is from a 'Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler', and Boxer is sent to his death. Squealer fabricates a heroic death for Boxer in a hospital. Napoleon uses the money from Boxer's sale to buy more whisky. The pigs' power grows, with more ceremonies and propaganda, and Animal Farm declares itself a Republic with Napoleon as President.
Years pass, and most animals no longer remember the initial ideals of the Rebellion. The farm has become prosperous, but only the pigs and dogs benefit. The pigs start walking on two legs, carrying whips, and wearing clothes. The Seven Commandments are replaced by a single maxim: 'ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS'. The pigs host a dinner with humans from neighboring farms, during which Napoleon announces the farm's name is being reverted to 'Manor Farm'. The other animals observing through the window can no longer distinguish between the pigs and the men.