Chapter Summaries of George Orwell’s Animal Farm
In the opening chapter of the book, Mr. Jones of Manor Farm is shown as acareless, irresponsible farm owner who cares more for a glass of beer than forhis animals and the farm. He is often drunk, and his ensuing negligence causesthe farm animals to protest and rebel against him.
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One night, Old Major, the prize Middle White Boar, wishes to share a strangedream with all the animals. Since the two-year old boar is greatly respected byall, the animals are willing to forego an hour’s sleep to listen to Old Major’stale. Before the animals assemble, the stout, majestic Old Major makeshimself comfortable on his bed of straw. As the animals enter the barn, each isdescribed. First to come are the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie, and Picher. Thenthe pigs arrive and settle down in front of the platform. Clover, the stout,motherly mare, who is nearing middle age, finds her place. Benjamin, thecynical donkey, who is the oldest animal and the worst tempered, grumps ashe settles down. Boxer, who is an enormous and optimistic horse, Mollie, whois the foolish, pretty white mare, Moses, who is the tame raven, and the cat areall present. The hens perch on the windowsills, and the pigeons flutter up tothe rafters.
Major’s intentions are noble. He shows concern for the welfare and destiny ofthe animals and inspires them to rebel against the human beings for their owngood. Without ever telling his dream, he diverts the animals’ attention to hissong, ‘Beasts of England’. He encourages them to gather in perfect unity andwarns them to avoid the habits of men.
CHAPTER 2
The second chapter commences with the peaceful death of Old Major.Although he is no longer physically present, Major’s inspiring speech hasbrought about a changed outlook on life among the animals. They areconvinced that an animal rebellion will take place in the unknown future andprepare for it psychologically. The work of organizing and teaching naturallyfalls upon the most intelligent of the animals, the Pigs. Pre-eminent amongthem are two young boars called Snowball and Napoleon. Napoleon, a fiercelooking Berkshire, is not much of a talker but has a reputation for getting hisown way. Snowball, a young boar, is high-spirited, quick in speech, veryintelligent, and invent…
…saynothing; they have given up the habit of criticizing, complaining, or protestinglong ago.
The farm is now better organized, more prosperous, and enlarged. Thewindmill, though not used for electricity, has brought in a profit. The commonanimals, however, do not share in the prosperity. They live a life of difficultyand deprivation. They are hungry, sleep on straw, labor long hours, and aretroubled by cold in winter and flies in summer. But they are still convincedthat they are “free” since animals rather than humans run the farm. Because ofthe constant propaganda, they do not realize that their plight is the same underNapoleon that it was under Farmer Jones. Only Benjamin realizes that”nothing has changed for better or worse.”
One day, while weeding turnips, the animals hear singing. Napoleon is in thefarmhouse celebrating with human beings. He then announces that he hasmade peace with his human neighbors. Although still called Animal Farm, itis really Manor Farm all over again. The animal dictatorship has degeneratedinto human corruption, and at the end of the novel, pig and man areindistinguishable. The circle is complete.
