Animal Farm by George Orwell: a Review

George Hardwell 10/10/10
Animal Farm: review By: George Orwell Chapter 1: The story starts with the owner, Mr. Jones, forgetting to lock down his farm because he is drunk. When he goes to sleep, the animals of the farm hold a meeting in the barn to hear a speech from a boar named Old Major. Basically, the boar speaks about how man has just used the animal for their resources such as eggs and meat, and they should get revenge on them. After the boar speaks about his dream where the animals live a happy, human free life, they all agree that anything that had wings or walked on four feet, was an ally and anything that walked on two feet was an enemy. The owner, hearing all the commotion, shoots his gun and quiets everything.
Chapter 2: Two pigs, named Napoleon and Snowball, emerge as leaders because of their intelligence shortly after the death of their friend, Old Major. The pigs plan on carrying Majors plan. A philosophy called Animalism is created by another pig named Squealer, which is then taught to all the animals, who had trouble learning it at first. A Raven named Moses, who seems to be on the side of Mr. Jones, flies around spreading rumors of a land where all the animals travel to die. This place is called Sugarcandy Mountain and the animals kind of enjoy this idea of a place because it is said to have sugar growing on its hedges. Mr. Jones begins drinking a lot and forgets to feed the animals. Some of the cow’s break into the store shed and begin eating food but the workers walk in on it and begin whipping the cows. Shortly after that, the other animals drive the workers off the land. All of the animals then sing a song called “Beast of England” which was created by Old Major. The pigs replace the sign on the front gate with a sign labeled “Animal Farm”. The cows are milked by the pigs and when they come back from harvesting, the milk is gone. The animals also destroy anything once used on them as “slaves”.
Chapter 3: The animals do fine harvesting the crops of the farm and have a record producing year. Every Sunday a meeting is held where the animals discuss new ideas. They create a flag, too. The green back ground symbolizes fields and the horn and hoof symbolize the animals. Snowball and Napoleon continue to hold majority of the power, though they disagree on some things. Snowball decides that they should teach all the animals how to read and somewhat achieve that. Two dog’s named Jessie and Bluebell give birth to puppies and Napoleon trains them, out of sight from everyone. The animals discover that the Pigs have been eating all the apples and drinking all the milk to themselves and are angry but Snowball convinces them that the pigs need it to think better.
Chapter 4: Mr. Jones comes back into the story, living in Willingdon and still drinking. Word of the animal farm has spread through the country and animals everywhere sing “Beasts of England”. Early in October, a flock of Pigeons inform the farm that Mr. Jones and some other farmers have started storming the farm. The animals succeed in ambushing the humans and hand them a defeat while only losing one sheep. The animals find a gun and say that they will shoot it twice a year, once on the anniversary of the battle of cowshed and the anniversary of the rebellion.
Chapter 5: Snowball and Napoleon continue to clash in the winter months. Snowball educates himself with Mr. Jones’ books and decides that they should build a windmill but Napoleon replies saying that they shouldn’t worry about the future, but the present. Snowball gives a long speech, convincing the animals that they want a windmill. Napoleon then releases some giant dog’s to chase Snowball off the farm. He then states he is leader. Squealer convinces the animals that Snowball had been a traitor. Also, he says that Napoleon never denied the thought of a windmill and actually thinks it’s a good idea.
Chapter 6: The animals work on the windmill for the rest of the year and they receive no food unless they work on Sundays. They find it hard to find stone usable for the construction without human tools. It is found easy to smash the rocks eventually have enough to start construction. Materials such as iron, paraffin oil and nails are still needed so Napoleon hires a human named Mr. Whymper so they can obtain these items. At first, the other animals think this is crazy but once again, Squealer brainwashes them to think it is ok. A storm blows in and knocks down the windmill but Napoleon gives a speech saying they should rebuild it.
Chapter 7: Work on the windmill is continued. In January, they fall short on food. Napoleon decides to sell 400 eggs a week, which was once said to be ridiculous. The hen’s rebel and napoleon stops feeding them. Nine hens die before they agree to sell their eggs. Word of snowball, coming and sabotaging the farm spread. Napoleon bad mouths Snowball for days and the animals can’t even believe what napoleon says. Napoleon even goes far enough to make certain animals confess to a made up conspiracy then has his giant dogs rip their throats out. The animals are very scared and Boxer (the horse) says how he never thought something like that could happen on animal farm.
Chapter 8: The animals notice that their commandments mysteriously keep changing. Some examples are The second example was changed because the pigs had found a crate of whiskey and the next day their eyes were bloodshot and droopy. A farmer attacks the farm and after the finishing of the windmill, they blow it up with dynamite. Boxer fights them off and gets injured.

Chapter 9: The animals begin rebuilding the windmill. Boxer works through his injury. Food becomes less and less, except for the pigs and dogs. Boxer collapses while carrying a stone and Napoleon has him brought to the slaughter house although he said they were bringing him to the hospital. Napoleon has 31 piglets and demands schooling.
Chapter 10: Years go by and many animals die. A new windmill is created. The farm has grown prosperous. Squealer creates another chant saying “Four legs good, two legs better”. Napoleon begins acting like a human, smoking a pipe and walking on his hind legs. He also carries a whip and wears human clothes. The animals peer through a window at napoleon and other farmers playing cards and realize here is no difference between them.