Animal Farm Summary

The story begins with the animals holding secret meetings where the idea of animalism is brought up. These animals are fed up with the oppressive human rule led by Mr. Jones, and Old Major had already enlightened the animals on how best to deal with the cunning farmer. A revolution against the man and unity among all the animals was what Old Major advocated for in the animal farm. The revolution idea received mixed reactions where some animals were for it and others strongly argued against the idea (Animal farm). Some animals viewed Mr. Jones as a very important part of their lives and that any attempt to ouster him would be self-destroying. The secret meetings, which happened few days after the death of Old Major, discussed at length the various advantages that the animals would gain if they achieved self-rule.

The pigs take the obligation of conducting the revolution and take the responsibility of teaching the other animals.  The concept of animalism is expanded by Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer. Convincing the animals to join the idea was a difficult task since some animals were very loyal to Jones while others feared the loss of several privileges such as sugar and ribbons. However, Snowball manages to convince them that the ribbons were a badge of slavery and their liberty was more important.

An animal heaven by the name Sugarcandy Mountain was invented by Moses, which was a main cause of trouble. Clover and Boxer are good collaborators with the pigs. Though the horses are innocent and not as intelligent as the pigs, they memorized pro-animalism arguments that they passed to the other animals (Animal farm).

Mr. Jones starts excessive drinking as a result of increased monetary troubles. Another notable event is the lazy farmhands who fail to tend the farm well. Mr. Jones hard times accelerated, and this proved advantageous to the animals. Animals take advantage of the misfortunes befalling Mr. Jones and make the rebellion happen earlier than expected. One day, On Midsummer’s Eve in June, the farmer gets over drunk and forgets to feed the animals. The animals got hungry and decided to break the store shed and look for something to eat. On realizing this, the farm hands together with Mr. Jones decide to whip the animals indiscriminately, and the animals decide to retaliate in unison. The fight back gets too serious, and the men are frightened forcing them to flee the farm.

After successfully chasing Mr. Jones and his farmhands, the animals decide to drown or burn all the implements of their former bondage. Snowball led the other animals in burning of ribbons that to him was tantamount to clothing. Snowball recommends that all animals should go naked. Animals’ life became even better as they helped themselves to double serving of food and sleep better than they slept before. They stay on the farm with great disbelief that the farm was now fully theirs.

Pigs declare themselves as the most intelligent of all the animals. It is revealed that the pigs are already equipped with reading and writing skills (Animal farm). The pigs taught themselves these skills from old children’s book that they burned in the bonfire of human belongings. The pigs also used paint to replace the title “Manor Farm” with “Animal Farm” on the farm gate. The animalism concept is summarized by seven commandments that all the animals were to live with after that. The following are the commandments as written by Snowball;

  1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
  2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
  3. No animal shall wear clothes.
  4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
  5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
  6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
  7. All animals are equal.

Snowball reads these commands loudly and also declares that the animals should start hay harvesting. At this moment, he is interrupted by three cows by lowing in pain since their udders are full to bursting. The intelligent pigs milk the cows producing five buckets of milk. However, the animals wonder what to do with the milk but Napoleon decides to postpone that decision until a later date.  All the animals get to harvesting field, and when they get back all milk is gone (Animal farm). The animals toiled hard, and their hard work was rewarded through huge harvests tan what they expected. However, it is important to understand that no animals were able to use the tools effectively. The pigs refused to work and opted to supervise as the other stupid animals like hens and horses. All the animals lived in self-rule after that but the pigs decided to take advantage of other animals and took all the leadership positions.

 
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