Structure and Summary (Animal Farm)

This section explores the structure and provides a summary of Animal Farm by George Orwell. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a novella structured as an allegorical fable, written in a simple style but rich with symbolic meaning. The structure is largely chronological, following the development of a rebellion and its aftermath on the fictional Manor Farm, renamed Animal Farm. It is divided into ten chapters, each marking significant stages in the plot and thematic development.

Structure of Animal Farm

Exposition (Chapters 1–2): The story begins with Old Major’s speech, introducing the idea of rebellion. The animals are inspired to revolt against Mr Jones, the human farmer, and quickly take over the farm.

Rising Action (Chapters 3–5): The animals establish a new regime based on the principles of Animalism, with the pigs assuming leadership roles. The power struggle between Napoleon and Snowball reaches a peak, resulting in Snowball's expulsion.

Climax (Chapter 6): Napoleon’s consolidation of power marks the climax, where his leadership starts to resemble the tyranny they initially rebelled against. The betrayal of the commandments begins, and the pigs’ corruption deepens.

Falling Action (Chapters 7–9): The animals face hardships under Napoleon’s rule, including the purges and executions of supposed traitors. The pigs increasingly adopt human behaviours, signalling the breakdown of their utopian ideals.

Resolution (Chapter 10): The novella concludes with the complete assimilation of the pigs into human-like oppressors, symbolised by their meeting with neighbouring human farmers. The original hopes of equality are crushed as the animals realise they cannot distinguish between pigs and humans.

The structure serves to mirror the rise and fall of revolutions, particularly the Russian Revolution, and it reinforces Orwell’s critical commentary on power and corruption.

Summary of Animal Farm

Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism, using farm animals to represent key figures and ideas from the historical context. The novella explores themes of power, corruption, class struggle, and propaganda, presenting a satirical critique of totalitarian regimes.

Chapter 1: The story begins on Manor Farm, where Old Major, a respected boar, gives a rousing speech to the animals. He speaks of their exploitation under Mr Jones, the human farmer, and inspires them to rebel. Old Major dies shortly after, but his ideas form the basis for the ideology of Animalism.

Chapter 2: Inspired by Old Major’s vision, the animals, led by the pigs, revolt against Mr Jones and take control of the farm. They rename it Animal Farm and establish a set of principles called the Seven Commandments, which promise equality and freedom for all animals.

Chapter 3: The pigs, especially Snowball and Napoleon, assume leadership roles. The animals work hard to run the farm, believing in the principles of Animalism. The pigs, however, begin to take extra privileges, such as consuming milk and apples, justifying it as necessary for their brainwork.

Chapter 4: News of the rebellion spreads to other farms. Mr Jones and some neighbouring farmers try to recapture Animal Farm, but they are defeated in the Battle of the Cowshed, largely thanks to Snowball’s leadership.

Chapter 5: A power struggle emerges between Snowball and Napoleon. Snowball proposes building a windmill to improve the farm’s efficiency, but Napoleon opposes the idea. Napoleon seizes power by using his trained dogs to chase Snowball away, cementing his authoritarian control.

Chapter 6: Under Napoleon’s rule, the animals work harder than ever to build the windmill. Napoleon begins trading with human farmers, which contradicts the original principles of Animalism. The pigs move into the farmhouse, further distancing themselves from the other animals.

Chapter 7: A harsh winter leads to food shortages. Napoleon’s leadership becomes more tyrannical, and he blames Snowball for various misfortunes. A series of purges occurs, where animals who confess to conspiring with Snowball are executed. The windmill is destroyed by a storm, but Napoleon claims it was sabotage by Snowball.

Chapter 8: The animals rebuild the windmill. Meanwhile, Napoleon manipulates information, rewriting history and using propaganda to maintain control. The pigs begin drinking alcohol, another violation of the commandments. The animals endure increasing hardship but are constantly told by the pigs that life is better than it was under Mr Jones.

Chapter 9: Boxer, the hardworking horse, is injured while working on the windmill. Napoleon claims to send him to the vet, but in reality, Boxer is sold to a glue factory, and the money is used to buy whisky for the pigs. Despite this betrayal, the animals continue to believe in the leadership.

Chapter 10: Years pass, and Animal Farm becomes more prosperous, but only the pigs and a few select animals benefit from this wealth. The pigs begin walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and engaging with humans as equals. The Seven Commandments are reduced to a single one: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The animals realise that they can no longer distinguish between the pigs and the humans, highlighting the complete betrayal of the original ideals of the rebellion.

Key Points of Structure and Summary:

The structure mirrors the stages of revolution: from initial hope and optimism to corruption and oppression.

Orwell uses the structure to expose the cyclical nature of power and how revolutions can devolve into tyranny.

The concise length of the novella allows for focused commentary, with each chapter developing the themes of leadership, propaganda, and class struggle.