Animal Farm Summary and Themes

Overview

Animal Farm, authored by George Orwell, is an allegorical novella illustrating the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the dangers of totalitarianism, using a group of farm animals as characters representing the Russian Revolution and broader themes of governance.

George Orwell and Historical Context

• George Orwell, pen name for Eric Arthur Blair, was born in 1903 in India to British parents.
• His experiences in Burma, Spain, and as a BBC correspondent during WWII shaped his views on class struggle and inequality.
• Orwell wrote Animal Farm to critique the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the rise of totalitarian power.

Plot Structure and Parallels to the Russian Revolution

• Old Major, an idealistic boar, inspires rebellion and teaches the animals about self-rule and camaraderie.
• The animals overthrow Mr. Jones, the neglectful farmer, and defend their farm at the Battle of Cowshank.
• Power struggle between pigs Napoleon and Snowball, with Napoleon eventually expelling Snowball using propaganda and misinformation.
• Napoleon exploits the other animals, enforces hard labor, and begins trading with humans, despite initial opposition.
• The windmill project symbolizes exploited labor and shifting leadership strategies.
• Boxer, the loyal workhorse, is betrayed and sent to slaughter, highlighting the exploitation of the working class.

Symbols and Their Meanings

• Character names reflect their roles and power dynamics.
• Milk and apples symbolize wealth and privilege; the windmill stands for labor and manipulation.
• Old Major’s skull represents canonized revolutionary ideals, paralleling Lenin’s public memorial.
• Mr. Jones' rifle is a trophy symbolizing the revolution’s initial victory.

Major Themes

• Corruption: Power gradually consolidates among the pigs, undermining original revolutionary ideals.
• Exploitation: The working animals toil for the benefit of elite rulers.
• Deception: Propaganda and historical revisionism maintain the pigs’ authority.
• Idealism: Early hope and unity are eroded by self-interest and manipulation.
• Apathy: Lack of action and critical thinking enables the rise of dictatorship, exemplified by Benjamin the Donkey.

Conclusion and Allegorical Significance

• The story ends with pigs indistinguishable from humans, signifying the complete betrayal of the revolution.
• Animal Farm serves as both a specific critique of Soviet history and a universal cautionary tale about power and governance.