Animal Farm Summary

 Chapter 1

Drunk, Mr. Jones locked the hen-houses and made his way to the bed with Mrs. Jones. He had a dream where animals could communicate with each other. Inside the farm, animals gathered. The animals are Bluebell, Jessie, Pincher, the pigs, the pigeons, the hens, the sheep and cows, Boxer and Clover, the horses, Benjamin, Muriel, the ducklings, and Mollie. All animals were present except Moses, the tame raven. The Major started to share his thoughts to the animals about how he would age soon, and the animals must live a free life after he’s gone. He talked about how the animals will live a miserable life after some time. He wants the animals to rebel to humans. He teaches that all animals are comrades, and men are enemies. The major’s dream was about the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. And he started to sing the song that were sung by the animals a long time ago. The animals started to sing with him in excitement. They sang all night long and it woke Mr. Jones. In a flash, the whole farm went back to sleep.

Chapter 2

Three days later the old Major died in his sleep. His speech gave an awareness of the animals. They did not know when the Rebellion would take place. They gave a name to the old Major’s teaching and it’s called Animalism. Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer. But they began to have different questions on why they should do this rebellion, and what they will get after doing it. Moses said there was a place beyond the clouds called Sugarcandy Mountain to which all animals went when they died. After some other arguments, they sang ‘Beast of England’ with which the meetings always ended. By the time of cutting, the men were confused about the animals' behavior. They started to kick and attack the men, Not long for them to be in a full fight down the cart-track. The animals chased Jones and his men out on the road and closed the gate. The Rebellion was successful. The animals destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. Jones. Then they sang ‘Beast of England’ until night. When they woke up, everything that they could see was finally theirs. They got excited and began to tour the farm like they own it. They went into Mrs. Jones house, playing inside. Some hams hanging in the kitchen were taken out for burial, and barrels of beer were kicked out. They came to an agreement that the spot of the farmhouse cannot be lived by animals. The pigs had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr. Jones’s children. They changed the front gate from MANOR FARM to ANIMAL FARM. They created self-written rules that must be followed, called ‘The Seven Commandments’. The pigs helped the cows with their milk,, but the hay is more important. So they went to the hayfield, and when they came back it was noticed that the milk had disappeared.

Chapter 3

The animals did their job by working on the farm, directed and supervised by the pigs. Everything was going better than expected. In the end, they finished the harvest in two days and got no wastage. They were pleased to eat food that they produced themselves. There were difficulties in harvesting of course, but the pigs and Boxer always pulled them through. However, Mollie the cat, doesn't seem to be interested in working as she always vanishes at work hours. Old Benjamin, the donkey, did his work as usual. On Sundays, they discussed plans and resolutions for the upcoming week. The pigs studied the books about farming, and Snowball began to create an Animal Committees. But it wasn't going as planned because of the animal’s lack of intelligence. But they still studied nonetheless. Squealer saw where the mystery milk went and dictated to the other animals on how the pig’s food must be prioritized for the sake of the farm. They came to an agreement that the pigs should be kept healthy. The milk and the windfall apples are reserved for the pigs alone. 

Chapter 4

Snowball and Napoleon send pigeons to mingle with the animals about the farm and the Rebellion. On the other hand, Mr. Jones complained about the animal’s rebellion at Willingdon. The other farmers sympathized at first, but they did nothing to help Mr. Jones. Two rival farmers, Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick, got frightened by Mr. Jones story. They decided to prevent their own animals from rebelling. Soon, they started to talk rumors about the Animal Farm, something like cannibalism). Rumors began to circulate about the rebellion of the animals. Animals began to manage their own farm while humming to the tune ‘Beasts of England’. The rumor made humans frightened about their future. In early October, the pigeons saw Jones and his men march towards the farm bringing weapons with them, obviously wanting to take back the farm. Snowball expected this, he ordered all animals to get in position and launch their attack according to the plan. The rest of the men were triumphant. They rushed to the gate only to be greeted by horses, cows, pigs, and their ambush. Jones shot a goat. But Snowball threw fifteen stones at his leg. Boxer, with all his might, managed to kill one person from Foxwood by the skull. The animals chased down all the men. The war was won by the animals. The animals celebrate their victory by singing ‘Beasts of England’. This battle was called ‘The Battle of The Cowshed’, which celebrates the anniversary of the Rebellion. 

Chapter 5

Mollie became more troublesome after a few days. From being late for work, oversleeping all the time, complaining about the food, and doing some foolish stuff. Clover then came to her and told about the rumours that had been flying around the farm about about this morning when Clover saw Mollie with one of Mr. Pilkingston’s men stroked her nose. Mollie denied it and ran away. Clover went to Mollie’s stall and found a hidden straw with a little plump of sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colours. Mollie disappeared three days later, and no one knew about her whereabouts, though a pigeon said she appeared to be enjoying herself at the other side of Willington. No one has ever mentioned her again. In the hard weather of January, the pigs were occupied with work for the upcoming season. Snowball and Napoleon, disagree with every point they made. Snowball with his brilliant speeches, and Napoleon with his canvassing support. Snowball wanted innovations and improvements. He talked about plans for improving the farm and building the windmill. Napoleon thought that building the windmill was a waste of time. Snowball talked about preparing the things for the windmill such as the building area, the stalls, and the work ups for the animals. He used the information he studied from the books at the farmhouse. He drew the plans with the other animals staring impressively. Napoleon, on the other hand, planned on increasing food production. The animals voted on building the windmill, except for Benjamin. Because The Battle of the Cowshed has spread across the countryside, Napoleon thought that the animals should procure firearms and train themselves for protection. Snowball disagrees as always, saying that the animals must send more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farm. At the Sunday meeting to vote on the windmill, Snowball and Napoleon debate with their reasons on improving the farm, both having their benefits. By the time they finished speaking, there was a terrible sound from the outside of the farm. Nine massive dogs barged into the barn, and chased Snowball until he slipped through a hole and was never seen anymore. Terrified, the animals then learned that those wolf-like-dogs were sent by Napoleon. With the dogs following him, Napoleon continued his speech and decided the future plans on a single announcement according to his previous speech. Steeler began to bad mouth Snowball and said things to make the other animals follow Napoleon instead. They started to receive orders from Napoleon for the week and they sang ‘Beast of England’ then dispersed. It shocked them when Napoleon announced that the windmill was going to be built. Steeler explained that Napoleon was his creation, but stolen from his papers. He was against it because he wanted to get rid of Snowball with his dogs – which was successful. Steeler praised Napoleon for his clever tactics, and the three dogs growled threateningly, forcing the animals to accept the current conditions.

 Chapter 6

The animals worked like slaves all year long for themselves. Animals that absented themselves from Sunday’s work would have their food rations reduced by half. The harvest however was a bit unsuccessful from last year. The upcoming winter would be a hard one. A problem occurred where the animals couldn't break up the windmill’s stone into suitable sizes. A week later, someone came up with an idea to utilize the gravity force. They laid over the bed of the quarry. They started transporting the stone until it was broken. Then they did their share. Animals' methods of living were much more simple than human’s. Napoleon announced a new policy that said Animal Farm would engage in  trade with the neighboring farms. The animals were uneasy with the announcement. Many animals protested but Napoleon said he already made the arrangements. Animals won't be in contact with humans. After that, Squealer reassured the animals about the event. Mr. Whymper visited the farm every Monday and the animals avoided him with caution. Humans began to feel respect for the animals for managing their own affairs. Some pigs moved into the farmhouse because they are the brain to the farm. They got a few privileges that the other animals were jealous of. They argue about the pigs sleeping on beds. By autumn, they were tired but happy as the sales of hay, corn, and food were plenty.  In November, the hens woke up by hearing a gunshot, and suddenly the windmill was ruined. All their hard work was ruined as the fruits they grew were smashed. Napoleon accuses Snowball to be at fault. They found footprints nearby and thought it was from Snowball. Napoleon yelled that they would build it again, and take revenge towards Snowball.