Animal Farm — Chapter 2 (George Orwell)

After the powerful barn meeting where Old Major sows the seeds of revolution, the animals of Manor Farm find themselves transformed. Although Old Major dies peacefully in his sleep just three nights later, his ideas flash through their minds. The pigs, being the most intelligent of the animals, quickly take on the task of spreading his vision. Of these, three stand out: Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer. Napoleon is a large, fierce-looking Berkshire boar with a reputation for getting his own way. Snowball is more lively, quick-witted, and inventive, while Squealer is a brilliant talker who can twist any argument to convince others.

The three begin to shape Old Major’s dream into a philosophy they call Animalism. In secret meetings, they teach the rest of the animals that their real enemy is man and that only through rebellion can they ever be free. At first, the other animals struggle to understand or trust these new ideas. Some question what will happen if humans stop feeding them, while others, like Molly the useless white mare, worry about silly things - will there still be sugar cubes or pretty ribbons? The pigs try to answer patiently, reminding them that true freedom is more valuable than sugar and ribbons.

The pigs' greatest challenge, however, is Moses the crow. Moses is Mr. Jones' pet and a kind of storyteller. He entertains the animals with tales of Sugar Candy Mountain, a paradise where animals go after they die, filled with endless clover and sugar lumps. Some animals are tempted by these fantasies, but the pigs see them as dangerous lies intended to keep everyone polite. They argue that Sugar Candy Mountain does not exist—freedom is here and now, not after death.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jones, the careless and drunk farmer, becomes more lazy and incompetent than ever. His carelessness worsens over time, and in the middle of summer, everything falls apart. Jones goes to town, drinks too much, and forgets to feed the animals altogether. Hungry and desperate, the animals finally enter the storage shed and help themselves to the food they have worked so hard to produce.

When Jones returns, furious and with whips in hand, the animals can no longer bear the abuse. They turn on him with sudden, unified fury. The men try to kill them but are overwhelmed by the sheer force of the animals’ rage. Together, the animals drive Jones and his farmhands out of the land. They have rebelled - not carefully planned, but powerfully spontaneous - and won.

As the dust settles, the animals are stunned. The Manor Farm is theirs. A wave of joy, pride and disbelief washes over them. They quickly destroy all the implements that were symbols of their slavery: nose rings, chains, dog collars and whips. They pile these disgusting objects together and burn them in a large, sweeping bonfire. The animals dance and sing around the fire, celebrating their victory.

Next, they proceed to assess their newfound freedom. The pigs, who have been secretly teaching themselves to read and write, paint the name "Manor Farm" on the gate and replace it with "Animal Farm". Snowball climbs a ladder and carefully writes the Seven Commandments of the Animals in large white letters on the barn wall for all to see:

Anyone who walks on two legs is an enemy.

Anyone who walks on four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

No animal shall wear clothes.

No animal shall sleep in a bed.

No animal shall drink alcohol.

No animal shall kill another animal.

All animals are equal.

The purpose of these commandments is to guide their new society and maintain the spirit of freedom and equality that the old major preached.

With the farm secure, the animals explore the farmhouse. They marvel at its luxuries, its carpets and beds, and its leftover plates of food. But they agree that no animal should live there or imitate human habits. Snowball declares the house a museum, so future generations will remember what they have survived.

Finally, they dine on a double ration of corn and sing “The Beast of England” seven times, their voices echoing through the summer night. Hope and excitement fill their hearts. The farm, for the first time, is truly theirs. As they fall asleep that night, the animals can’t help but dream of a new world—one where all animals are equal, working for themselves, free from whips and chains.

Yet beneath the surface, some seeds of trouble are already there. Napoleon and Snowball, though now comrades, are clearly passionate in different ways, and only the pigs hold the key to reading, writing, and teaching. For the moment, the animals celebrate in pure joy, believing that their troubles are over and a golden age is beginning.

The revolution has succeeded. Animal Farm is born.