A short summary of Animal Farm is a novel by George Orwell that allegorically portrays the Russian Revolution and the rise of Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union. The story is narrated from the perspective of the animals on a farm that overthrows their human masters and establishes a utopian society. However, as the novel progresses, the animals’ leaders, who resemble Stalin and other Soviet leaders, gradually distort the ideals of the revolution and become corrupt, leading to a grim outcome for the farm’s inhabitants.
The novel begins with the animals, led by Old Major, a boar, who inspires them with a revolutionary speech. They overthrow the farmer and take control of the farm, renaming it “Animal Farm.” The animals establish a set of rules, known as the Seven Commandments, which embody their ideals of equality and freedom. However, as time passes, the leaders, particularly Napoleon and Snowball, begin to manipulate the commandments to consolidate their power.
The first major distortion occurs when Napoleon replaces the original commandment “All animals are equal” with “Some animals are more equal than others.” This change symbolizes the corruption of the revolution’s original ideals and the emergence of a new class of leaders who exploit the rest of the animals. Snowball, a more idealistic and intelligent pig, is expelled from the farm and eventually killed by Napoleon’s henchmen.
As the novel progresses, the farm’s conditions worsen. The animals are overworked and underfed, and their living conditions deteriorate. The pigs, who have become increasingly human-like, begin to wear clothes and even walk on two legs. The allegorical parallels to the Soviet Union are striking, as the farm’s animals represent the exploited workers, while the pigs symbolize the corrupt Soviet elite.
Animal Farm ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. The novel highlights the corrupting influence of power and the tendency for leaders to exploit their followers. The farm’s eventual descent into a totalitarian state is a stark reminder of the fragility of utopian ideals and the importance of maintaining vigilance against tyranny.
In conclusion, Animal Farm is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that uses allegory to explore complex political and social themes. Its timeless message about the corrupting influence of power and the importance of upholding revolutionary ideals continues to resonate with readers today.
