George Orwell's Animal Farm, published in 1945, is a deceptively simple fable that serves as a potent allegory for the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism. Through the story of farm animals who overthrow their human oppressors, Orwell crafts a sharp critique of totalitarian regimes, demonstrating how noble ideals can be twisted and corrupted by those seeking power. The narrative follows the animals' initial triumph, their struggle to establish an equitable society, and their eventual descent into a new form of tyranny, mirroring historical events with chilling accuracy. The novella ultimately reveals the dangers of unchecked power, the susceptibility of the masses to propaganda, and the fragility of revolutionary ideals when confronted by ruthless ambition.
The story begins with the animals of Manor Farm, led by the wise old boar, Old Major, who inspires them with a vision of a world free from human exploitation. Following Old Major's death, the pigs, particularly Snowball and Napoleon, take charge. They successfully expel Mr. Jones, the drunken farmer, and rename the farm "Animal Farm," establishing seven commandments based on Old Major's principles, the most important being "All animals are equal." Initially, the farm prospers. The animals work hard, fueled by the promise of a better future, and successfully defend themselves against Mr. Jones's attempted recapture in the Battle of the Cowshed. Snowball emerges as a visionary leader, advocating for progress, most notably a windmill project designed to generate electricity and ease their workload.
However, Napoleon harbors ambitions that extend beyond the collective good. He secretly breeds a pack of dogs, which he later uses as his personal guard and instrument of terror. When Snowball proposes the windmill, Napoleon vehemently opposes it, only to "suddenly" agree after Snowball is driven off the farm by the dogs. This act marks a turning point. Napoleon consolidates his power, using propaganda disseminated by the eloquent pig, Squealer, to manipulate the other animals. Squealer skillfully rewrites history, demonizes Snowball as a traitor, and justifies the pigs' increasingly egregious actions – such as hoarding milk and apples, and eventually moving into Mr. Jones's house and sleeping in beds – as necessary for the farm's survival and prosperity. The original commandments are subtly altered to accommodate the pigs' behavior, starting with "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets."
As the animals toil to build the windmill, facing harsh conditions and dwindling rations, Napoleon exploits their labor. He engages in trade with neighboring human farmers, a violation of the initial principles, and signs a contract for timber with Frederick, the owner of Pinchfield Farm. This deal leads to the Battle of the Windmill, where Frederick's men attack and destroy the windmill, though the animals ultimately repel them at great cost. The pigs, despite the immense hardship and loss of life the animals endure, declare victory. The pigs' privileges continue to expand; they begin drinking alcohol, and the commandment regarding alcohol is changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess." Boxer, the strong, loyal cart-horse, who embodies the working-class animal, is the most dedicated and hardworking. His mottoes are "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right." When Boxer collapses from overwork, instead of sending him to a veterinary surgeon as promised, Napoleon sells him to the knacker, a butcher, for money to buy whiskey, further cementing the pigs' betrayal of the revolution's ideals.
By the end of the novella, the farm has changed dramatically. The pigs have become indistinguishable from the humans they once overthrew. They walk on two legs, wear clothes, carry whips, and engage in all the vices of their former masters. The original seven commandments are replaced by a single, chilling maxim: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." The other animals, exhausted and disillusioned, can no longer tell the difference between the pigs and the humans during a tense meeting. Orwell's grim conclusion underscores the cyclical nature of oppression and the ease with which power can corrupt, transforming revolutionaries into tyrants.