Lecture: âAnimal Farmâ by George Orwell - Chapter 1 to Chapter 10
Introduction
Title: âAnimal Farmâ by George Orwell
Story Overview: An allegorical novella reflecting the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
Chapter 1:
Setting: Manor Farm, Mr. Jones (farmer) is neglectful due to drunkenness.
Old Majorâs Dream: The prize boar shares a dream of rebellion and a vision of a farm free from human control.
Animal Assembly: Animals gather to hear Old Majorâs speech about rebellion.
Key Ideas:
Life for animals is miserable due to human oppression.
Animals produce everything, but humans steal the fruits of their labor.
Calls for rebellion against humans to achieve a society where animals control their labor and resources.
Chapter 2:
Old Majorâs Death: Three nights after his speech, Old Major dies.
Animalism: Pigs (Snowball, Napoleon, Squealer) develop Old Majorâs ideas into a philosophy.
The Rebellion: Animals, led by pigs, overthrow Mr. Jones and take over the farm.
New Rules: Seven Commandments are established to guide animal life.
Chapter 3:
Harvest Success: The animals complete the harvest faster than humans.
Work Distribution: Animals work hard; pigs supervise.
Education: Pigs attempt to educate all animals.
Inequality Starts: Milk and apples are reserved for pigs under the explanation of health needs.
Chapter 4:
Rebellion Spreads: News of the rebellion spreads to other farms.
Battle of the Cowshed: Humans attempt to retake the farm but are defeated.
Snowballâs Heroism: Snowball is celebrated for his bravery.
Chapter 5:
Mollieâs Departure: Leaves the farm for a more pampered life.
Windmill Proposal: Snowball advocates for a windmill; Napoleon opposes.
Power Struggle: Napoleon uses dogs to expel Snowball and consolidates power.
End of Debates: Napoleon abolishes animal meetings.
Chapter 6:
Windmill Construction: Animals work hard but face challenges.
Trade Begins: Napoleon starts trading with humans, contradicting Animalist principles.
Commandments Change: âNo animal shall sleep in a bed with sheetsâ after pigs start sleeping in beds.
Chapter 7:
Food Shortages: Animals face starvation; rebellion among hens is quashed.
Snowball Scapegoat: Napoleon blames Snowball for problems on the farm.
Executions: Animals are executed for alleged conspiracy with Snowball.
Chapter 8:
Increased Workload: Animals work harder with little food.
Napoleonâs Cult of Personality: Celebrations and false reports of prosperity continue.
Frederickâs Attack: The windmill is destroyed again.
Chapter 9:
Boxerâs Injury: Boxer is injured while working on the windmill.
Boxerâs Fate: He is sold to a knacker under the pretense of being sent to hospital.
Farm Prospers for Pigs: Pigs continue to live comfortably.
Chapter 10:
Years Later: Few animals remember the Rebellion.
Pigs Become Human-Like: Pigs walk on two legs, communicate with humans, and change the farmâs name back to Manor Farm.
Final Scene: Animals realize the pigs have become indistinguishable from humans.