The Rebellion and the Birth of Animalism

The story opens at Manor Farm, where the animals, suffering under the oppressive rule of Mr. Jones, are urged by an elder pig named Old Major to organize a "rebellion." Old Major characterizes their existence as being treated like "slaves" who are worked "to the bone." Following his death, his vision is codified by three pigs—Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer—into a belief system known as "animalism." The breaking point arrives when Mr. Jones neglects to feed them, leading the animals to revolt and drive the farmer away, effectively rebranding their home as "Animal Farm."

The Erosion of Equality

Initially, the animals establish the "7 commandments of animalism," with the foundational principle being that "all animals are equal." Snowball attempts to empower the community through education, teaching them to read and write. However, a rift emerges between the leadership. While Snowball focuses on collective progress, Napoleon adopts a more sinister approach, secretly raising "nine young puppies" to serve as his own private, "ferocious" security force.

The Rise of Totalitarianism

The turning point occurs during a debate over the construction of a windmill. When the animals gather to vote, Napoleon uses his trained dogs to "chase Snowball away," effectively seizing absolute control. From this moment, the farm descends into a regime defined by manipulation and propaganda. Squealer is employed to revise history, claiming that the windmill was "Napoleon's idea in the first place."

The labor intensity required to rebuild the windmill after a storm and a subsequent human attack takes a heavy toll on the animals, particularly the horse named Boxer. His tragic end illustrates the ultimate betrayal: despite his immense effort, the pigs sell him to a "glue factory" to fund their own indulgence in "whiskey," while falsely claiming he was sent to a hospital.

The Final Betrayal

The narrative concludes with a chilling transformation. The pigs, once the leaders of the liberation, begin "standing on two legs," "dressing like humans," and "carrying whips." The original seven commandments are reduced to a single, ironic decree: "All animals are equal but some are more equal than others."

In the final scene, the line between the oppressor and the oppressed vanishes entirely. As the animals observe the pigs dining with humans, they find they "cannot tell who is human and who is pig." This transformation serves as a powerful allegory for the "corrupting influence of power," reminding the audience of the vital importance of remaining vigilant against those in positions of authority.