Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a short but powerful novel that tells a deep story using talking animals on a farm. On the surface, it seems like a fun tale about animals rebelling against humans. But underneath, it is a sharp and clever look at power, control, and the dangers of political corruption.

What is Animal Farm About?

The story takes place on a farm in England called Manor Farm, owned by a man named Mr. Jones. He treats the animals poorly he’s careless, drunk, and only cares about what he can take from them. The animals are tired of being used and neglected.

One day, an old and wise pig named Old Major gathers all the animals and gives a powerful speech. He tells them that all animals are equal and should not be ruled by humans. He dreams of a farm where animals live freely, work for themselves, and share everything equally. His message sparks a revolution.

After Old Major dies, two young pigs Snowball and Napoleon lead the animals to rebel against Mr. Jones. They succeed and take over the farm. They rename it Animal Farm, and create a set of rules called the Seven Commandments, with the most important one being:

“All animals are equal.”

At first, life on the farm seems hopeful. The animals work together, and everything they produce is shared. There is no human in charge, and the animals believe they are free. But slowly, things begin to change.

The Rise of the Pigs

The pigs, who are the smartest animals, take charge of reading, writing, and organizing. Snowball and Napoleon don’t always agree, and soon, a power struggle begins. Snowball wants to build a windmill to make life easier for the animals. But Napoleon disagrees—and then surprises everyone by using guard dogs to chase Snowball off the farm. From that moment on, Napoleon becomes the leader, and no one is allowed to question him.

The pigs begin to take more power. They change the rules, but always pretend it’s for the animals’ own good. They eat better food, sleep in beds, and give themselves special privileges. The other animals work harder and get less.

A clever pig named Squealer acts as Napoleon’s mouthpiece. Whenever the animals get confused or upset, Squealer explains things in a way that twists the truth. He says things like,

“You wouldn’t want Mr. Jones to come back, would you?”

This makes the animals feel afraid and guilty, so they keep quiet.

The Windmill and Broken Dreams

Despite everything, the animals keep working. They build the windmill Napoleon claimed as his idea. It’s hard, painful work. The animals, especially Boxer, a strong and loyal horse, believe in the dream of Animal Farm. Boxer’s motto is:

“I will work harder” and later, “Napoleon is always right.”

But the truth is, Boxer and the other animals are being used. When Boxer gets injured, the pigs say he’s being sent to a hospital but really, they sell him to a glue factory. It’s a heartbreaking moment that shows how far the leaders have gone.

A Dark Ending

Over the years, things get worse. The animals have less food, more work, and no freedom. But the pigs live in luxury and become more and more like humans. They start walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and making deals with other farmers. The commandments on the barn wall change until only one remains:

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

In the final scene, the animals look through a window and see the pigs eating and laughing with human farmers. They can’t tell who is pig and who is man. The dream is gone, and Animal Farm has become just as bad or worse than before.

The Message Behind the Story

Animal Farm is not just a story about animals it’s a political fable. Orwell wrote it as a warning about how power can be abused. The book is based on the events of the Russian Revolution and the rise of totalitarian governments.

The pigs represent powerful leaders who promise fairness but become greedy and controlling. The story teaches us that revolutions can go wrong when people blindly follow leaders and stop asking questions.

Why This Story Still Matters

Even though Animal Farm was written in 1945, it is still relevant today. It reminds us to think for ourselves, stay informed, and speak up when something feels wrong. It’s a powerful reminder that freedom, equality, and truth must be protected or they can be lost.