Animal Farm

• Old Major holds a meeting to tell the animals about his dream of their lives free from slavery.
• He explains that mankind is the cause of all their problems. He sings the revolutionary song ‘Beasts of England’ to them.
• After Old Major’s death, the pigs prepare and organise the other animals for the Rebellion.
• Jones is driven out, and the Seven Commandments are written on the barn.
• Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer become the leaders.

• The harvest is gathered successfully.
• The pigs steal the cow's milk and the apples to keep for themselves. 
• Thye explain that they need the food because they're the brains on the farm.
• Snowball tries to educate the animals; Napoleon trains the puppies.
• Jones is beaten in the Battle of the Cowshed.
• Snowball and Boxer lead the animals to victory.

• Napoleon drives Snowball from the farm and behaves like a tyrant.
• Sunday debates are abolished and the first commandment is broken.
• Napoleon, protected by his dogs, changes policy, including trading with other farms.
• Napoleon says Snowball’s windmill will be built, but it falls down.

• The animals work harder than ever and face starvation.
• Napoleon executes his opponents; the animals are terrified and confused.
• The windmill is rebuilt but then destroyed by Frederick.
• Boxer and Napoleon drive out the humans at the Battle of the Windmill.

• The pigs lead a life of luxury and become human in their vices.
• When Boxer can no longer work he is sold for meat, and we empathise with his plight.
• The commandments become ‘All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others’.
• Symbolically, Animal Farm reverts to the name Manor Farm.
• The action ends with the animals outside looking into the farmhouse as the pigs dine with the local human farmers.

• Old Major presents his philosophy of life to a meeting of the animals. He attacks mankind for exploiting them.
• He explains his dream of a better future and teaches the animals the words to ‘Beasts of England’.
• Mr Jones’s violent nature is demonstrated when he fires his gun to silence the animals in their meeting: he ‘let fly a charge of number 6 shot’.

• The pigs develop Animalism: the horses, Boxer and Clover, are its most loyal followers.
• Mr Jones is driven out, and the Seven Commandments, setting out the basis of Animalism, are painted on the barn and ‘could be read thirty yards away’. The pigs have learned the human skills of reading and writing.
• Snowball enthusiastically calls the animals to work harder for a brighter future. Napoleon takes charge of the milk.

These chapters establish the characters and set out key themes in the novel.

• 1. Before he dies, Old Major tells the other animals about his dream of a better life: although the novel is about animals, it is an allegory that deals with what happened in the Russian Revolution and its aftermath.
• 2. The animals are introduced. The pigs, the cleverest, prepare for the Rebellion.
• 3. Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer become the leaders.
• 4. When Jones, a lazy drunk, is driven out, the pigs present the Seven Commandments, based on what Old Major said. They are the principles by which the animals will live.
• 5. Snowball is the obvious leader but Napoleon behaves suspiciously. The reader suspects all might not be perfect in the future: are the pigs corrupt too? Orwell foreshadows what is to come

• The first harvest is completed in record time: the animals work while the pigs ‘directed and supervised the others’.
• Snowball and Napoleon lead the Sunday debates but always disagree.
• Snowball sets up committees and tries to teach the animals to read and write.
• Napoleon takes the puppies away from their mothers to educate them himself.
• Squealer defends the pigs’ actions when it is found they have taken the apples and milk. He says it is so that they can be healthy and run the farm better. 

• The animals try to spread their revolutionary ideas across the countryside.
• Mr Jones, supported by men from Pinchfield and Foxwood farms, tries to retake the farm but ends up ‘in ignominious retreat’.
• Snowball, supported by Boxer, leads the animals to victory in the Battle of the Cowshed. They are both awarded a medal: ‘Animal Hero, First Class’.

In these chapters, Animal Farm develops. We see the differences between the animals, Snowball and Napoleon disagree in the debates, and the humans are defeated when they try to recapture the farm.

• 1. The animals are happy and work hard together to complete the harvest, though the pigs seem to have an easier life than the others.
• 2. We see the importance of Boxer to the farm’s success.
• 3. The differences between the lead pigs are clearer: Snowball tries to educate all the animals; Napoleon says the young are most important.
• 4. The humans try to take back control of the farm but the animals fight back, and Snowball and Boxer lead them to victory.
• 5. Boxer becomes an even more

• Mollie is lured away from the farm with sugar by a human.
• Snowball and Napoleon continue to disagree, especially over the windmill.
• Napoleon’s dogs attack Snowball, who flees for his life. Squealer labels him ‘no better than a criminal’.
• Napoleon abolishes Sunday debates as his first move in taking control.
• Squealer, in charge of propaganda, says Napoleon is making a great sacrifice by taking responsibility for everything.
• The windmill will be built – but Squealer now says it was Napoleon’s idea.

• Life worsens: the animals work 60 hours a week. Boxer works hardest, now starting work ‘three-quarters of an hour earlier’ than anyone else.
• The construction of the windmill has problems and the harvest is poorer.
• Napoleon says he will trade with neighbouring farms, and the pigs break a commandment by sleeping in beds. They change the wording on the barn.
• When a storm destroys the windmill, Napoleon claims it was sabotaged and says ‘I pronounce the death sentence upon Snowball’. The animals must continue to work hard to rebuild the windmill.

In Chapters 5 and 6, the mood darkens as Napoleon takes control and the aims of the revolution begin to fail.

• 1. Snowball is driven from the farm; Napoleon behaves like a tyrant.
• 2. Sunday debates are abolished and the first commandment is broken.
• 3. Napoleon, protected by his dogs, changes policy, including trading with other farms.
• 4. Napoleon adopts Snowball’s plan to build a windmill. However, when it is blown down, he blames Snowball and condemns him to death.
• 5. The animals work harder and get little food: things are much as they used to be in Jones’s time.

• When Napoleon decides to sell the hens’ eggs, the hens rebel, but they are starved into submission.
• Everything that goes wrong is blamed on Snowball, who Squealer says was always in league with Jones. The animals feel Snowball is ‘menacing them’.
• Animals are executed after admitting they schemed with Snowball, whose reputation worsens as history is changed. This concerns Boxer.
• The singing of ‘Beasts of England’ is forbidden as the revolution is over.

• Two more commandments are changed so that it becomes acceptable to kill animals if there is a good cause (pigs, hens, a goose and a sheep are executed), and alcohol can be drunk, if not to excess.
• Napoleon becomes further isolated from the animals but is still praised for everything that goes well – he awards himself new honours.
• Napoleon tries to play Frederick and Pilkington off against each other, but is outwitted.
• The windmill is totally destroyed by Frederick’s men. The animals drive them off in the Battle of the Windmill, but there is nothing at all left to show for their efforts: it is ‘as though the windmill had never been’.

In Chapters 7 and 8, conditions for the animals deteriorate still further and Napoleon is outwitted by the humans.

• 1. The animals face starvation, working harder but eating less than in Jones’s time.
• 2. There is a rebellion on the farm, which is violently crushed.
• 3. Just as occurred in Russia, the aims of the revolution have been corrupted. Napoleon now uses terror to maintain control.
• 4. Napoleon tries to trade with the humans but is outwitted. The windmill is rebuilt but then destroyed by Frederick.
• 5. The pigs continue to change the Seven Commandments.

• The animals are starving as rations have been reduced still further, though the pigs do not suffer.
• Boxer will not rest. Even with a damaged hoof, he ‘refused to take even a day off work’.
• The young pigs are kept separate from the other animals, and all pigs have to be treated with respect.
• Animal Farm is declared a Republic and Napoleon is President.
• Boxer can work no more and the slaughter-house man takes him away: the pigs buy whisky with the money they get for him.

• With the passing years, the younger animals do not understand Animalism or remember Snowball and Boxer.
• The windmill has been rebuilt and another is being constructed; the farm is richer but the animals have not benefited.
• The Seven Commandments are replaced by a single slogan, the ultimate irony: ‘All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others’.
• The pigs walk on their hind legs and live the life of humans. They carry whips.
• The pigs hold a banquet for neighbouring farmers: the other animals cannot distinguish between the faces of the humans and those of the pigs

In Chapters 9 and 10, life for most on Animal Farm is worse than it ever was. The pigs, meanwhile, become indistinguishable from humans.

• 1. The pigs have complete control – the other animals are simply oppressed.
• 2. The pigs lead a life of luxury and are anthropomorphic in their vices.
• 3. Old Major’s hopes turn out to be mere dreams. The revolution has failed.
• 4. Boxer is sold for meat and we empathise over his dreadful end.
• 5. The pigs dine with the humans and Animal Farm is symbolically renamed Manor Farm.

Animal Farm is written like a traditional story for children.

• 1. It has anthropomorphic characters and a simple storyline.
• 2. It is Orwell’s satire on the Russian Revolution and an allegory of events in Russian history.
• 3. The plot is circular, showing no improvement is made – so Benjamin, the cynic, was right all along.

•  Animals represent historical figures or stereotypes. For example, Napoleon’s character is based on Stalin and Boxer represents the ordinary people.
• Symbols are used to simplify the story, so the farm is Russia and the Battle of the Windmill represents the German invasion of Russia.
• Ironic humour highlights what goes wrong for the animals, for example when the pigs develop each of the faults for which the humans were criticised.

• The simple farmyard setting makes the brutality of the pigs’ regime more unexpected and disturbing.
• In stories for children, good usually triumphs over evil. In Animal Farm, the opposite happens.
• By using simple characters and a naïve tone, Orwell is able to make complex political points effectively.

• The pigs gradually take complete control, as shown by the altering of the Seven Commandments.
• Following a positive start after the revolution, life becomes increasingly hard for the animals and more luxurious for the pigs.
• By the end, Napoleon has become just as oppressive as Jones. He carries a whip and, symbolically, the pigs have grown to look exactly like the humans.

5 key points

• 1. Russian Communism grew from the teachings of Karl Marx (represented by Old Major), who wanted a better system than capitalism.
• 2. In the new Soviet Union, after the Russian Revolution of 1917, all property, wealth and work were meant to be divided equally between all the people.
• 3. This Communism was established by Lenin and Trotsky, but after Lenin’s death Stalin took over and Trotsky fled.
• 4. Stalin then corrupted Communism, developing a totalitarian state in which an all-powerful dictator imposes their absolute will.
• 5. In such a state, the dictator, surrounded by a ruling elite, uses violence and propaganda to control the working class, or proletariat.

Links to Animal Farm

• Animalism is a simplified form of Communism. It replaces the corrupt capitalism of Animal Farm which exploited the animals.
• The Seven Commandments set out the rules that make everyone equal.
• After the revolution, at first life on the farm improves.
• Snowball sets out grand improvements, to benefit all in the future: ‘the animals would only need to work three days a week’.

In what ways does Animal Farm become a dictatorial state?

• Napoleon corrupts Old Major’s dream of equality, imposing an authoritarian regime. He uses lies, propaganda and terror to maintain his position.
• The pigs – the elite – have the best of everything and carry whips: they live in the house and eat and drink well while the other animals starve.
• The use of ‘comrade’ – implying equality – is banned, and the representations of Animalism are removed from the flag.
• Napoleon proudly explains to his neighbours how the animals are exploited.
• Animal Farm is as corrupt as neighbouring farms. The pigs feast while the hungry animals watch through the window.

5 key ideas

• 1.After the Russian Revolution in 1917, when the ruling Tsar was driven out, a Communist state was formed.
• 2. The state was based on equality and the teachings of Karl Marx, and was led by Trotsky and Lenin.
• 3. When Lenin died, Stalin seized control of what had become the Soviet Union.
• 4. Stalin’s policies brought starvation. He was a tyrant who took complete control, purging his enemies: from 1934 to 1937, seven million of his people disappeared.
• 5. The Soviet Union was an ally of the USA and Great Britain during the Second World War, but then the Cold War began and it became isolated again.

How does the story of Animal Farm work as a satire?

• Orwell devised Animal Farm as ‘a satire on the Russian Revolution’ through which he could portray how all dictators work.
• He wanted to show the Russian Revolution as corrupt and socialism as a force for good.
• Writing the story in a simple form meant that its message could be easily understood by all.

What are the connections to key figures of the revolution?

• Old Major is like Karl Marx – and Animalism is like Communism.
• Snowball is partly like Lenin, the first leader of the Soviet Union, and partly like Trotsky, who led the army to victory in the civil war. 
• Napoleon, the cruel leader who becomes increasingly repressive, is like Stalin.
• Pilkington represents Churchill while Frederick represents Hitler – Stalin had dealings with both in the 1930s and 1940s.
• Boxer represents the working class or proletariat, Mr Jones is the Tsar, Squealer is the propaganda machine, Moses is the Russian Orthodox Church, the dogs are the secret police and Clover is one of the loyal followers.

3 key points

• 1. All the action is set on the farm, part of Orwell’s ‘simple approach’.
• 2. The farm represents Russia, which later became the Soviet Union.
• 3. It becomes Animal Farm after the revolution, but reverts to its original name of Manor Farm when Napoleon is in charge at the end.

How realistic is the farm?

• Although the animals are anthropomorphic – like humans – activities on the farm are quite normal: the animals are fed, cows are milked and crops are grown.
• There are recognisable animal traits: for example, pigs are intelligent, and dogs can be trained and are aggressive.
• The sheep are passive and easily controlled, so when they learn their maxim (‘Four legs good, two legs bad’) they bleat it ‘for hours on end, never growing tired of it’. 

What are the most important places on the farm?

• The farmhouse is set apart: it is initially where Jones lives and later where the pigs establish themselves. The animals ‘were frightened to go inside’.
• The barn is where Old Major tells of his dream, where meetings are held and where Napoleon first unleashes his dogs. The Seven Commandments are painted on its end wall.
• Battles take place near the cowshed and then the windmill, which represents the dream of a better life, though the generation of wind power just makes money for the pigs.

Napoleon doesn't fight in the revolution

• Napoleon doesn't see much in the early meetings, but he has a reputation for getting what he wants. This shows that he seems to care less about animalism than the others, and hints that he's ambitious and selfish.
• At the Battle of the Cowshed he disappears, he's a coward. This contrast with snowball he fights bravely to defend the Farm.
• Cunning - "That, he said, was Comrade Napoleon's cunning"
• Ruthless - "a pile of dead corpses lying before Napoleon's feet"
• Corrupt - "There was only one candidate, Napoleon"
• Selfish - "reputation for getting his own way"

Napoleon is a ruthless character.

• Napoleon doesn't care about the welfare of the other animals and just sees them for his own benefit.
• He takes the puppies away from their mothers so that he can train them to be his army.
• He forces the animals to work a 60 hour week while he does nothing.
• He steals the apples and cow's milk for the pigs to have for themselves.

Napoleon uses cunning and brutality to get his own way. 

• Napoleon is threatened by Snowball, who is a military hero and charismatic leader.
• Napoleon belittles and undermines Snowball. He trains the sheep to interrupt Snowball speeches and urinates on his plans for the Windmill. He then uses his army of dogs to chase snowball into exile.
• After his exile, Napoleon uses snowball as a scapegoat there any problems on the Farm. The way that he turns the animals against snowball is cunning. The animals start to feel that Snowball is an invisible influence.
• He uses terror to control the Farm. Animals are forced to make false confessions and are executed for being in league snowball.

Napoleon is a selfish leader

• Napoleon is a selfish leader. Napoleon sees himself as better than the other animals and above the common herd.
• He changes the principles of animalism for his own benefit. It shows that he quickly forgets and the ideals of animalism that he may have believed in.
• Although he criticises snowballs plans for the Windmill, he built it after snowballs exile. He's happy to take the credit for someone else's ideas.

He is a corrupt ruler

• Napoleon rewrites history - he distorts the story of the battle of the Cowshed to make himself seem like a hero. He awards himself a bravery medal and presents Snowball as a traitor.
• The Sunday meetings are abolished to suppress the debate and criticism towards him.
• He is unanimously elected as the leader of the Republic, but he's the only candidate.

He's just as bad a farmer Jones.

• Napoleon's transition from pig to human is complete by the end of the novel - he stands on 2 legs, drinks whisky and wears clothes. When the animals look at the pigs and men, they can't say which was which.
• By the end the Commandments and principles of animalism have been forgotten - the animals are starving, overworked and in a worse position than they were under Farmer Jones.

Snowball is intelligent but not very cunning

• Snowball is lively and a quicker thinker, but he doesn't have the same depth of character as Napoleon.
• Animal equality and the working class animals are important to him. He explains the principles of animalism for the others so that they can improve life on Animal Farm.
• He's an original thinker - he explains to the birds that a wing is an organ of propulsion. He's got good intentions, but the birds don't understand Snowballs complicated explanations.
• Snowball isn't perfect though:
• he's over idealistic - he forms animal committees, but generally these end in failure.
• He's dishonest - when the Napoleon steals the milk for the pigs, Snowball doesn't protest.

He's brave and a strong military leader

• Snowball is a strong leader in battle. He's in charge of the defensive operations on Animal Farm. When Jones and his allies attack, Snowball has prepared by studying the campaigns of Caesar.
• He is noble. He leads the charge against humans and is injured. He proves he's willing to die for Animalism.
• For his bravery he is recognised as a hero by all the animals, and awarded the military honour 'animal hero, first class' for his role in the battle of the Cowshed.
• Intelligent: "full of plans for innovations and improvements"
• Brave: "he himself dashed straight for Jones"
• Idealistic: "Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines"

He wants Animalism to succeed

• Snowball wants Major's utopian vision to become a reality.
• He writes the seven commandments on the barn wall for all the animals to see, but most of the animals are illiterate.
• He draws up plans for the windmill - a project designed to generate electricity for the farm to make the animals' lives easier.
• His plan would require the animals to work hard, but the Windmill would benefit everyone.

Snowball is undermined by Napoleon - his idealism makes him vulnerable, no match for Napoleon's practical mind. Chant is used by S to educate but Napoleon finds a more practical use and makes the sheep chant it over speeches.

Turning point in action - once Snowball is exiled, Napoleon can start his campaign of terror

• They can't agree - Snowball wants to encourage all animals on the farm to rebel, but Napoleon wants to build up power and security on Animal Farm.
• Snowball is an excellent speaker, but Napoleon is better at canvassing support for himself outside the debates.
• Napoleon is threatened by snowballs heroism, intelligence and influence over the other animals, and so he begins to bully him:
• Napoleon trains sheep to disrupt snowball speeches.
• When Snowball draws up the windmill plans, Napoleon shows his contempt by urinating all over them.
• Snowball is chased off the Farm by Napoleon's dogs.

He becomes a scapegoat.

• After snowball is exiled from Animal Farm, Napoleon begins to gain power. He spread vicious rumours and lies about the threat of Snowball to safeguard his own position.
• Snowball is condemned as a traitor, a liar, and a friend of farmer Jones.
• He becomes a scapegoat - when the Windmill is blown down in a storm, Snowball is blamed. He becomes the source of all evil on the Farm.
• Napoleon denounces Snowball as a dangerous outside enemy and puts himself forward as the protector of Animal Farm.

Squealer is a remorseless liar

• Squealer is a small, fat porker with twinkling eyes and a shrill voice.
• He spends the novel promoting Napoleon's regime - distorting language and telling lies.
• He is protected by vicious dogs, who scare the other animals into silence.
• Squealer is:
• Persuasive: "he had a way of skipping from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive"
• Manipulative: "he could turn black into white"
• Deceitful: Squealer says that "Snowball was in league with Jones"

He uses persuasive language to justify Napoleon's actions

• When Napoleon is the leader of Animal Farm, Squealer becomes his loyal spokesperson.
• He uses convincing language to win over the other animals. He tells them that no one believes more firmly than Napoleon in the equality of animals.
• He manipulates the animals fear of Jones in order to increase Napoleon's power. He asks them "you do not want Jones back?" To make it seem like the only have a choice between the two.
• Squealer has an answer for everything. When all the animals have their rations reduced except the pigs and the dogs, Squealer explains that rigid equality is contrary to Animalism.

Squealer controls the animals with lies

• Squealer manipulates the animals through his clever use of language, distorting the truth to convince them that life is better on Animal Farm.
• He uses for statistics to claim that life is good on the farm: he "proved" to the animals in detail that they had more food than before the rebellion.
• Squealer lies - he claims that the Battle of the Windmill was a great victory, even though the animals suffered terrible losses and the Windmill was destroyed.
• He rewrite history. He turns the Napoleon into the hero at the Battle of the Cowshed by saying things like "comrade Napoleon sprang forward and sank his teeth into Jones's leg".

Squealer turns the animals against Snowball

• Squealer plays an important role in destroying Snowball's reputation and turning the other animals against him.
• When he suggests that Snowball's agents are "lurking among us at this moment", he's scaremongering.
• He makes up evidence against Snowball. He says Snowball was "Jones's secret agent" and it's been "proved by documents".
• He convinces the animals that Snowball was a traitor at the Battle of the Cowshed and that snowball was never awarded 'animal hero, first class'. Orwell uses Squealer to show how language can be used to influence people. Squealer's ability to twist language gives him great power - and this kind of subtle control is dangerous.

He lies about Boxer's death

• The ageing boxer is betrayed and sold to the knacker's yard to be killed.
• Squealers lies about the death of Boxer are fanciful than ever.
• He describes Boxer's death in great sentimental detail, even though it's completely made up. He claims that Boxer's last words were "Napoleon is always right". This shows that he is completely remorseless, willing to abuse Boxer's unfailing loyalty to Napoleon to the end.
• He says that Napoleon did all he could for Boxer, providing "medicine without a thought as to the cost". This is ironic because Napoleon's only real concern was how much money the pigs could make by selling Boxer.

Squealer helps to create and maintain the dictatorship

Squealer is a very important member of Napoleon's regime:

• he helps to build up Napoleon's oppressive, murderers dictatorship.
• With Squealer's help, Animal Farm becomes a more efficient state of terror.
• He protects the new class based hierarchy by arguing that the pigs are "brainworkers". This means the interest of the pigs are put first.

Old Major has a vision

• Old major is the oldest, wisest pig on the farm.
• He dreams of a future where all animals live in a land of happiness and plenty, free from the exploitation of man.
• He's aware that he's near death and has a clear mission to pass on his wisdom.
• Old Major is:
• kindly: "with a wise and benevolent appearance"
• Wise: "to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired"
• Idealistic: "let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship"

His ideas for the future are clear

• When Old Major gives a speech, he talks about man's terrible treatment of animals. He says "our lives are miserable, laborious and short". Old Major's vision becomes the foundation of Animalism:
• he insists that all animals are comrades - they are all equal
• Man is the enemy and animals must never come to resemble him.
• Before his death, he sets out a number of clear rules against adopting human vices such as living in houses, sleeping in beds, wearing clothes and drinking alcohol.

Unlike Major, Benjamin is cyncical

• Benjamin is a grumpy, bad-tempered donkey who never laughed because he saw nothing to laugh at. He's cynical about the rebellion and Animalism.
• Benjamin represents the intellectual Russians who realised that communism will not solve the injustices of society. He's very intelligent, and one of the few literate animals, but he sees little point in using his abilities.
• Benjamin has a true understanding of life on Animal Farm. He's realistic when he sees "hardship and disappointment" all around him, but he doesn't do anything to stop the pigs. This could suggest that Orwell it's disappointed that many people seem unwilling or unable to challenge a tyrannical leader.
• When he realises what's happening to Boxer, he raises the alarm. This is an important turning point for Benjamin - it's the first time that he speaks out but he reacts too late.

Boxer is brave and hardworking

• Boxer is the hardest worker on the farm - all the farm's work seemed to "rest upon his mighty shoulders".
• He is as strong "as any two horses put together".
• At the Battle of the Cowshed he fights bravely and is awarded 'animal hero, first class'.
• The animals respect Boxer for his calm, stable manner and his tremendous ability to work.
• Boxer gets upset when he thinks he's killed a human boy during the battle of the Cowshed. This shows that he's compassionate.

He trusts the pigs completely

• Boxer isn't very bright and he's easily manipulated by the pigs.
• After Napoleon's show trials and executions, Boxer has misgivings about the pigs' behaviour but he remains silent - continuing to believe in Napoleon.
• He is a useful tool for the pigs - if Boxer is on their side then the other animals may follow more easily.
• Boxer's dedication to the farm is ultimately his downfall. Every time he witnesses a terrible event on the farm, he just worked harder. He overworks himself for the good of the Farm.
• Boxer is:
• loyal: "Napoleon is always right".
• Hard-working: "I will work harder".
• Dim-witted: "not of first-rate intelligence".

Clover is a mother figure

• She is a compassionate, maternal mare. When the animals were frightened, they "huddled about Clover".
• She is a loyal and faithful disciple of Animalism, absorbing and passing on all that she is taught. When she grows suspicious of the pigs' behaviour, she blames herself for misremembering the commandments.
• Even when Animalism disappoints her and she witnesses the "terror and slaughter" of the executions, she continues to be obedient and accepts Napoleon's leadership.
• Clover is:
• Loyal: "she would remain faithful"
• Maternal: "stout motherly mare"
• Dim: "could not put words together"

Mollie is vain and silly

• Mollie's a "pretty white mare" who's wain and "foolish".
• She is spoiled and likes ribbons, suagar and being petted - things which are banned under Animalism.
• She has no interest in politics or the rebellion. She's cowardly and unwilling to fight for Animal Farm. She hides in fear during the Battle of the Cowshed.
• Mollie is:
• Vain: "foolishly gazing at her own reflection"
• Lazy: "she was late for work every morning"
• Cowardly: "she was found hiding in her stall"

She refuses to make sacrifices after the revolution

• Mollie could represent the upper-class Russians who had a comfortable life under the Tsar.
• Mollie struggles to follow the principles of Animalism and hoards ribbons and lumps of sugar. In a selfish way she's not willing to make sacrifices.
• When Snowball teaches the animals to read and write, Mollie has the capacity to become literate bur only learns "the five letters which spelt her own name". She isn't interested in what the rebellion can teach her.
• Mollie can't adapt to life on Animal Farm - she's too shallow and devoted to her luxuries. She runs away to draw the cart of a man who pets her and feeds her sugar.

Jones's neglect causes the animals to rebel

• Mr Jones is the owner of Manor farm. He's a lazy drunkard.
• His men are "idle", "dishonest" and they take advantage of Jones's slackness. Under Jones, the fields of Manor Farm are "full of weeds" and the animals are "underfed".
• Jones's neglect and drunkenness allow the animals to meet and organise themselves in secret - he was "too drunk to remember" to lock them up properly.
• When the animals rebel, it's a spontaneous event, and even the animals are surprised by their success. This shows how little control Jones has over his farm.

Pilkington and Frederick represent the West

• Pilkington is an old-fashioned gentleman-farmer whose farm is shabby and neglected.
• Frederick has a smaller, better-kept far. There are rumours about cruelty on his farm.
• P = capitalist west
• F = Hitler and Nazi Germany
• Frederick leads a surprise attack on Animal Farm which is sudden and vicious. He almost overthrows the animals and is only driven off after the animals suffer terrible losses and the windmill is blown up.

Whymper is in it for the money

• Whymper is Napoleon's solicitor and representative in his dealings with other humans.
• Whymper is a "sharp" businessman who realises that Napoleon's business would be worth having.
• He only continues to work for AF because Napoleon tricks him into thinking the farm is prosperous.
• Whymper stands for the those people who were happy to work for the communists in Soviet Russia or do business with them, if the price was right.

The sheep can't think for themselves

• The sheep live up to their stereotype - the members of the flock are unthinking and easily led.
• They can't think for themselves and blindly follow the pigs' orders. They start chanting whenever anyone threatens to voice an opinion. - "put and end to the discussion"
• In the end, the sheep silence all opposition and announce the final betrayal of Animalism, chanting "Four legs good, two legs better". 
• The sheep are like the Communist party 'yes men' that Stalin packed meetings with, and who would vote together for whatever he asked.

The hens are oppressed by Napoleon

• Once he's in power, Napoleon orders the hens to give up their eggs so they can be sold. Trading with humans was something Major opposed in his speech.
• When they're told to supply 400 eggs a week, they protest by telling Napoleon that it is "murder".
• They're the only group of animals so really oppose Napoleon's regime. When they stage a protest, Napoleon starves them into submission.
• When egg quotas are raised again, there's no outcry or protest this time - they're too frightened to even raise their voives.
• The hens are like the peasants of the Soviet Union who were forced to give up their produce. Millions of Soviet peasants died of famine in the 1930s.

Moses stands for religion

• Moses is a raven who tells the animals stories of Sugarcandy Mountain - a paradise where animals go when they die.
• He tells lies and is described as a "spy", but many animals believe him because they have nothing else to look forward to.
• The pigs allow Moses to stay on Animal Farm because his stories give the animals hope and keep them obedient.
• Orwell uses Moses to introduce Karl Marx's idea that religion is the 'opium of the people' - he thought that religion deceived people into believing in a happy afterlife. Moses's name links the raven to Biblical prophet who told of a faraway 'promised land'.

Animalism is the idea that animals should work for themselves

• 1) Animalism is a new "system of thought" inspired by Old Major's ideas - his beliefs are summarised in seven commandments after he dies.
• 2) Like communism, equality is essential in Animalism. The commandment that "All animals are equal" means that every animal should be treated the same.
• 3) Orwell uses the word 'commandments' to draw a comparison with the Ten Commandments of Christianity. The seven commandments are an "unalterable law" a set of rules that the animals should follow religiously.
• 4) They also give the reader a framework to see Animalism's.-in decline as the commandments are corrupted one by one.
• Orwell uses Animalism to represent communism so that he can criticise it indirectly. This is why the flags of both beliefs are so similar.

The ideals of Animalism don't last long

• No long after the revolution, there are already serious problems - and they only get worse. As the pigs corrupt Animalism, conflict and inequality increase on the farm.
• Confllict: Like Stalin, Napoleon gets rid of any opposition - he orders "nine enormous dogs" to attack Snowball and chase him from the farm. By preventing Snowball from having an equal say, Napoleon turns his back on equality and Animalism.
• Napoleon holds false trials and executes any animals who "confess" to going against Animalism This goes against the commandment that "No animal shall kill any other animal". Ironically, it's Napoleon who is actually going against Animalism by breaking one of the seven rules.
• Inequality: Some of the animals learn to read (e.g. the pigs) and so the other animals are at a disadvantage. Napoleon refuses to educate the other animals equally, so that he can maintain the pigs' authority.
• Animalism was founded on the idea that all animals worked for each other, but in reality, only the pigs benefit - they take more for themselves while the other "animals worked like slaves".

1) Power corrupts Animalism's original ideals. Napoleon changes the commandments to suit his needs.

2) Napoleon becomes so similar to the humans that the animals can't tell them apart. Orwell's point was that Russia had suffered the same fate - Stalin's rule was no better than the Tsar's capitalist regime.

3) By making Animalism fail, Orwell was arguing that Russia had also failed in being fair and equal.

Education divides the animals into social classes

1) Two social classes form after the revolution, which goes against the commandment that "All animals are equal". The division is based on the animals' intelligence.

2) The pigs are the ruling class - they make all the rules because they can write them. The other animals accept that the pigs are "cleverer" and let them take control.

3) The pigs reinforce their status by taking up the symbols of Man Napoleon appears "wearing an old bowler hat" and "with a pipe in his mouth".

Snowball and Napoleon disagree on education

1) The animals are supposed to be equal, but because the pigs teach themselves to read, they're superior from the start. By controlling education, they also control who's upper class.

2) Snowball and Napoleon have different approaches to education:

• Snowball wants to educate all the animals - he tries to teach them to read, write and spread the ideas of Animalism to everyone, so that there will be true equality among the animals.
• Napoleon is only interested in educating the young, which he thinks is "more important" than teaching "those who were already grown up". He focuses on the piglets to continue the pigs' superiority, and the puppies, so that he can train them to be loyal bodyguards.

3) Under Napoleon, the class system is likely to stay the same - he doesn't want to educate the other animals in case they use it to rise up against him. By only educating the pigs, they keep all the power.

The animals misuse their education

1) The uneducated animals remain part of the lower class because they don't make the most of the education that Snowball offers them: Mollie only wants to learn how to write her name. Benjamin learns to read, but refuses to use his ability. Boxer wants to read and write, but can only learn four letters, which he is "content with"

2) Because of this lack of interest in education, they remain ignorant and they can't work out anything for themselves.

3) The animals accept everything they're told and submit to the pigs' authority - they don't have the intellect to object.

Desire for power corrupts Napoleon

1) The whole point of Animalism (and communism) is equality - no one should have any more power than anyone else. When Napoleon seizes power on the farm, it shows how corrupt he is.

2) Napoelon increases his power by controlling:

• Actions - by not having "equality in rations", by using the dogs and through trials and executions
• Thoughts - Through language, using propaganda and removing democracy
• For Orwell, this was the most dangerous kind of control because it's so difficult to detect a change, especially by the uneducated.

Language is a powerful tool

1) Orwell was concerned about the power of language, and how it could be manipulated to change its purpose and meaning.

2) Squealer's persuasive language is a powerful form of propaganda. It reinforces Napoleon's power: "He was always referred to... as 'our leader, Comrade Napoleon'".

3) Boxer has no power because he can't express his feelings properly when Snowball is exiled he can't "think of anything to say".

4) By simplifying the commandments to "Four legs good, two legs bad", Snowball causes the words to lose their meaning.

There's no freedom of speech

1) Freedom of speech is necessary in an equal, democratic society - everyone has the right to a fair say.

2) However, when Snowball disagrees with Napoleon, he's attacked by the dogs and banished --there's no freedom of speech on Animal Farm.

3) Napoleon knows that language is power. By ending the Sunday meetings and freedom of speech, Napoleon takes away the other animals' power.

4) Even if an animal has rebellious ideas, they can't "marshal" their thoughts to express them. Napoleon controls their thoughts by restricting what they hear and say.

The pigs use propaganda to justify their actions

1) propaganda is when an individual or group spreads information to make themselves look good. Often the information is exaggerated or made up. Napoleon uses it to gain power and keep control.

2) Squealer uses propaganda in speeches - - he speaks "so persuasively" that the animals accept his words He takes them aside and convinces them that the pigs' actions are good- this makes them believe him.

3) The pigs keep the animals loyal by spreading stories about how cruelly animals are treated on other farms. This means they forget the farm's own problems and are less likely to rebel against their masters.

Squealer uses propaganda to twist the truth

• Dictators spread propaganda to make themselves look better. Squealer uses propaganda to:
• Glorify Napoleon:
• When anything good happens, Napoleon takes credit for it. He claims that the windmill was his idea, and the hens are brainwashed into giving him credit for how many eggs they've laid.
• A weekly parade is held so that Napoleon can show off his power and support.
• Blame Snowball:
• Squealer tells the animals that Snowball is their real enemy ~ this is a clever lie as it unites them against Snowball and makes them think that the other pigs are on their side T
• he pigs use Snowball as a scapegoat and blame him for everything - "Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball"
• Even the animals' memories of Snowball aren't enough to stop them believing Squealer's lies.

The other animals spread it too

• 1) The pigs' propaganda is so effective, the animals not only believe it, they also spread it themselves:
• Boxer unwittingly spreads propaganda every time he says "Napoleon is always right"
• The pigeons spread messages like "Death to Humanity" and "Death to Frederick".
• The sheep drown out opposition to Napoleon by chanting "Four legs good, two legs bad" 
• 2) By spreading propaganda themselves, the animals seal their own fate. They have become part of Napoleon's regime.
• Boxer's lack of education means he doesn't realise he's brainwashed.

Animal Farm has a chronological structure

1) Animal Farm has a simple structure, like most fairy stories. The events are described in chronological order (the order they happen) so the story is easy to follow.

2) The chronological structure lets the reader see the gradual decline of Animalism. It shows Napoleon taking control by slowly undermining each commandment in turn, until there is nothing "except a single Commandment".

The events of the novel are cyclical

1) The story is cyclical - the end of the novel is very similar to the beginning. Orwell hints at this ending throughout the book, so there's a sense of inevitability about the revolution's failure.

2) Orwell uses the farm's name to show the revolution's progress. Under Jones, the farm is called 'Manor Farm'. When the animals are free from Jones it becomes 'Animal Farm'. When Napoleon renames it 'The Manor Farm', it shows that the revolution has failed.

3) The final chapter shows the pigs "melting" and changing into men. The animals can barely distinguish between the two.

The message is loud and clear - watch your leaders because too much power can corrupt.

History starts to repeat itself

1) Jones is a drunk, the book starts with him returning from thr pub, drunk --> Napoleon becomes drunk. The book ends with him drinking, telling his guests to fill their "glasses to the brim". 

2) Old Major teaches the animals 'Beasts of England'. It's a revolutionary song that's meant to inspire the animals --> After 'Beasts of England' is banned, it's still "hummed secretly" by the animals as a private act of rebellion and hope.

3) Old Major warns Boxer that when he is old, Mr Jones will sell him to the kancker's yard where he will be killed --> When Boxer becomes ill, Napoleon sells him to the knacker's yard and buys whisky for the pigs with the money.

Animal Farm is an allegory

1) An allegory is a story that uses its characters and events as symbols for something else.

2) It's easier for readers of all ages to understand an allegory, rather than a complicated political novel.

3) Animal Farm is an allegory for corrupt communism, particularly the Soviet Union under Stalin. However, the story's location is general - the farms have generic names like "Manor Farm" This means the story could've happened anywhere, so it has universal appeal.

4) The repetitive events of the novel symbolise the way that one regime was replaced by another in Russia.

Jones and Napoleon symbolise all dictators

The parallels between Napoleon and Jones show how far Napoleon has betrayed Animalism.

• Mr Jones and Napoleon are both cruel and evil. They represent all tyrannical dictators in history.
• Mr Jones has a common name and no real character - he could be anyone.
• Napoleon turns into Mr Jones despite Old Major's warning that they "must not come to resemble" Man. This suggests that all dictators are essentially the same - greedy, selfish and cruel.

The animals symbolise inequality

1) The working animals are symbolic of the peasants and workers of Soviet Russia who thought their lives would improve after the revolution. In the novel, Pilkington compares the "lower animals" to the humans' "lower classes"

2) In a more general way, the working animals also symbolise any community that has no power against their leader.

3) They symbolise inequality in a totalitarian society.

The novel is a beast fable

1) Animal Farm is a beast fable - a story that uses animals to teach a moral lesson.

2) By using animals instead of real people, the story appeals to a wider audience, whilst still passing on a political message.

3) The animals are symbols and most aren't fully rounded characters.

4) Most beast fables end with a moral, but the animals learn nothing in Animal Farm. The novel comes full-circle as the farm is again called by its "original name" It's uncertain whether the animals realise that they're back where they started.

• By using animals as the main characters, Orwell increases the effectiveness of the novel. 
• It makes the politicians that he's satirising look ridiculous.

The narrator doesn't directly influence the reader

The narrator doesn't directly influence the reader The narrator uses simple, unemotional language, and only describes what the working animals see. As a result, the reader's view of the farm is restricted, and you're left to make up your own mind about what's happening.

The narrator is:

• Detached - the anonymous narrator's thoughts are controlled and detached so that the reader isn't directly influenced. This is important since one of the book's themes is the twisting of language.
• Limited - the narrator usually says no more than what the animals see and hear, e.g "it was noticed that the milk had disappeared". The reader relies on the narrator for information - just as the animals rely on the pigs.

The narrator just gives the reader facts

1) The story is told from the working animals' point of view - this suggests that Orwell's sympathies lie with the working classes. For example, the reader is told what Clover would have said "If she could have spoken her thoughts"

2) Telling the story more from the working animals' perspective shows how naive they are. The reader understands things that the animals don't.

3) Whereas the reader draws conclusions from what the narrator does (or doesn't) say, the animals fail to learn anything from the events of the novel.

Orwell desribes things matter-of-factly

1) Orwell describes things briefly. This simple writing style makes the narrator seem more trustworthy.

2) The narrative is detached rather than emotional, e.g. the slaughtered animals are described simply as a '"pile of corpses"

3) The lack of reaction from the narrator makes the terrifying events being described seem even more shocking.

4) The simplistic language contrasts with the horrific events, e.g. the betrayal of Boxer.

5) It also gives the novel a broader appeal . the language is more entertaining and less challenging than a historical explanation.

The full title of the book is Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. The simple language suits the fairy tale genre but it contrasts greatly with the brutal treatment and suffering of the animals.

Irony can make a serious point

1) Irony is when you say one thing but mean the opposite.

2) The subtitle of the book, 'A Fairy Story', is ironic. In fairy stories the 'good' characters usually live happily ever after, but there's no happy ending for the animals - there's a sense of inevitability that the revolution will fail.

3) Squealer's language is often ironic, e.g. "you do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in the spirit of selfishness" Orwell uses irony to show how words can lose their meaning.

Orwell uses dramatic irony

Dramatic irony is when the reader realises the significance of what a character says or does before any of the characters in the novel

Dramatic irony emphasises the animals' ignorance of how much Napoleon takes advantage of them.

• The pigs start to resemble the humans they rebelled against. The reader sees this from the beginning when the apples and milk are "reserved for the pigs alone".
• The pigs pretend that they haven't broken any of the (changed) commandments but the reader remembers exactly what the original commandments were.

Satire makes things seem ridiculous

1) Satire makes fun of people or ideas. It does this by exaggerating them or making them seem ridiculous. Satire is often funny, but makes a serious point.

2) It often has a political motivation. Animal Farm is a satirical attack on the Soviet Union. Comparing political figures to pigs is satirical because it makes them seem absurd.

3) In Animal Farm it's not just the leaders being satirised - the workers also seem foolish. For example, the Russian people who failed to speak out against the corruption are satirised as sheep.

4) Satire makes some events in Animal Farm darkly humorous because they seem so ridiculous, e.g. when the pigs wear "Mr Jones's clothes". It allows Orwell to disguise his criticisms rather than condemning something so controversial communism directly - it sounds less preachy and more appealing.

The book's satirical attack on the Soviet Union meant Orwell struggled to find a publisher who would risk publishing something so controversial.

Simple characters use repetitive langauage

1) The sheep are manipulated by the pigs and have no ideas of their own. They simply repeat "Four legs good, two legs bad" to drown out debate.

2) Boxer repeats "I will work harder", showing he is unable to think for himself.

3) The repetitive language shows how easily the uneducated characters are brainwashed by slogans and propaganda.

Repetitive language is often used in fairy stories. Orwell uses it here to show how far the animals have been manipulated.

Powerful characters use persuasive language

1) Old Major uses political and rhetorical language. He uses emotional appeals, e.g. "feelit my duty", lists of three and rhetorical questions. The animals listen to him "attentively."

2) Snowball uses emotional language -he makes a "passionate appeal" about the windmill. He's a skilled speaker, which makes him a threat to Napoleon.

3) Squealer is the master of persuasive language. He's able to make the other animals believe anything by distorting facts, rewriting history and twisting words.

As Napoleon gains more authority, so does his language

1) At first, Napoleon is "not much of a talker". As the novel progresses, he makes increasingly political speeches using persuasive techniques that the animals can't argue with.

2) His language also becomes more creative as he blames Snowball, e.g. saying that the destruction of the windmill was revenge for his "expulsion" by Napoleon.

3) Napoleon and Squealer patronise the others. They call the other animals "comrades", which makes the animals feel equal, but the reader recognises the irony - they are never treated as equals. 

4) Napoleon's made-up titles reinforce his leadership, e.g. "father of all animals". These are ironic because they're based on lies.

Theme - Language Orwell uses the characters to show how powerful and influential language can be.

Symbols of slavery are used by pigs and humans

1) The song 'Beasts of England' lists the symbols of slavery rings, harnesses, bits, spurs and whips.

2) After the revolution, these symbols of oppression are "flung down the well". This symbolises the animals breaking free from slavery. It makes them feel free even though they are still following orders. 

3) By the end of the novel, Napoleon is carrying a whip. This is symbolic of how things have returned to how they used to be.

The guns symbolise violence

1) At the start of the book, humans use guns to control the animals. After the revolution, the animals destroy them because the guns were part of the animals' oppression.

2) After the Battle of the Cowshed, the gun Mr Jones leaves becomes symbolic - it's set up by the flagpole to represent the animals' victory over the old regime. It's fired twice a year to mark the anniversary of the battle and the rebellion.

3) When Napoleon takes up weapons again, it's a sign that he has become more humanised. He also wants to use guns to control the animals.

4) The animals initially use violence to achieve change, but even after they succeed in overthrov it remains in their society. Orwell uses Napoleon's violent behaviour to show that this is dangerous.

The flag symbolises the animals' freedom

1) The flag is a symbol of the animals' freedom.

2) The green symbolises "the green fields", and the hoof and horn represent the unity of the animals.

3) In the final chapter the hoof and horn are removed from the flag - "It would be a plain green flag from now onwards". This symbolises that the working animals no longer have any power.

'Beasts of England is the anthem for the revolution

1) Old Major's ideals are summarised and passed on through the "stirring" song 'Beasts of England'

2) At the start, it represents the revolution - it's patriotic and inspiring. It reflects the hope that the animals will be free.

3) As Napoleon becomes more tyrannical, singing the song unites the animals and gives them hope.

4) Towards the end, Napoleon bans 'Beasts of England', claiming it no longer has "any purpose" since the rebellion has finished - this shows that he has completely discarded the ideals of Animalism.

Napoleon uses songs as propaganda

• 1) Napoleon has poems written to remind the animals that he's in charge and to make himself sound good. In one poem he's described as "giver of / All that thy creatures love"
• 2) Using songs and chants is an effective way of reinforcing his power, especially to the less-educated animals who may not understand speeches or be able to read.
• 3) Spreading propaganda through song is subtle - the songs are taken up by the animals, who sing without thinking about the meaning.

The rituals become meaningless

• At the start of the book, medals are given to animals who have been hurt or killed in battle. They show recognition for bravery --> Later, Napoleon simply awards himself 'Order of the Green Banner' for nothing - it has become worthless.
• Rituals such as firing the gun on the anniversary of the rebellion are established to create a sense of honour and pride --> The animals take part in weekly "spontaneous demonstrations" where poems are read in honour of Napoleon. Rituals have become a way for Napoleon to celebrate himself.
• Titles and rituals are used to unite the animals and reward them for their commitment to Animalism.