Animal Farm Book Summary and Characters, George Orwell

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What is the summary of the book Animal Farm written by George Orwell? Information about the summary, characters of Animal Farm.

Animal Farm

Animal Farm

“Animal Farm” is a classic novella written by George Orwell and published in 1945. The book is a political allegory that uses a group of farm animals to satirize the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early years of the Soviet Union.

The main theme of the book is the corrupting influence of power. The story begins with the animals of Manor Farm overthrowing their human owner, Mr. Jones, and establishing a society in which all animals are equal and work together for the common good. However, as the pigs, who have taken on leadership roles, become more powerful, they begin to abuse their authority and create a system in which they are more equal than others. The pigs justify their actions by reinterpreting the original principles of Animalism, the philosophy that underpins their society.

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The book also explores the themes of propaganda, language, and control. The pigs use propaganda to manipulate the other animals, and they alter the language of the original Animalist principles to suit their own ends. They also control the means of communication and the education of the other animals, further entrenching their power.

Overall, “Animal Farm” is a powerful critique of the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of totalitarianism. It is widely regarded as a classic work of political satire and a warning against the abuses of power.

Book Summary

“Animal Farm” is a novella by George Orwell that uses a group of farm animals to satirize the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early years of the Soviet Union. The story is set on Manor Farm, where the animals are ruled by a cruel farmer named Mr. Jones. One day, Old Major, a prize boar, has a vision of a world in which animals are free from human oppression, and he leads the other animals in a rebellion against Mr. Jones.

The animals successfully drive Mr. Jones off the farm and rename it Animal Farm. They adopt a set of principles called Animalism, which promote equality, hard work, and freedom for all animals. The pigs, who are the most intelligent animals, take on leadership roles and are responsible for organizing the other animals and making decisions on behalf of the farm.

At first, the farm is a success. The animals work hard and are happy in their newfound freedom. However, the pigs begin to assert their dominance and use their intelligence to take advantage of the other animals. They begin to live in the farmhouse and adopt human habits, and they use propaganda to convince the other animals that they are working for the common good. The pigs also alter the principles of Animalism to suit their own needs, and they use violence and intimidation to maintain control over the other animals.

Over time, the pigs become more corrupt and oppressive. They become increasingly tyrannical, and the other animals suffer under their rule. The pigs use fear, propaganda, and violence to maintain their power, and they make alliances with humans in order to secure their position. They also rewrite history to make themselves look better, and they silence any opposition or dissent among the other animals.

The novel ends with the pigs fully in control of Animal Farm, and the other animals living in misery and oppression. The final line of the book reads, “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

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“Animal Farm” is a powerful critique of the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of totalitarianism. It explores themes such as propaganda, language, and control, and it warns against the abuses of power. The novel is widely regarded as a classic work of political satire, and it continues to be studied and discussed today.

Characters

“Animal Farm” features a cast of characters who are all farm animals, each representing a different group or personality in society. Here are some of the main characters:

  1. Old Major: An old prize boar who inspires the animals to rebel against their human oppressors. He represents the intellectual and philosophical leaders of the Russian Revolution.
  2. Napoleon: A large Berkshire boar who becomes the leader of Animal Farm after the rebellion. He is cunning and ruthless and represents Joseph Stalin.
  3. Snowball: A white pig who is one of the leaders of the rebellion and is very intelligent. He represents Leon Trotsky.
  4. Boxer: A loyal and hardworking horse who represents the working class.
  5. Squealer: A small, clever pig who serves as Napoleon’s propaganda minister. He is a skilled speaker and convinces the other animals to accept Napoleon’s rule.
  6. Mollie: A vain and selfish mare who represents the bourgeoisie.
  7. Benjamin: A cynical and intelligent donkey who is skeptical of the rebellion and the pigs’ leadership.
  8. Mr. Jones: The owner of Manor Farm who represents the tsar.
  9. Moses: A raven who tells the animals stories about a paradise called Sugarcandy Mountain. He represents organized religion.

Each of these characters plays an important role in the story, and their interactions and conflicts drive the plot forward.

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