Animal Farm: chapter 1
Who?
Mr Jones; Old Major; Moses; Boxer; Clover; 3 dogs: Bluebell, Jessie, Pincher; Muriel; Mollie;
Benjamin; the cat; the sheep
Where?
What?
The Manor Farm – somewhere in the English countryside
In this first chapter of the story, Mr Jones stumbles
drunkenly after forgetting to secure Manor Farm.
After the light are switched off the animals gather
in the barn to hear a speech by Old Major
(the prize Middlewhite boar) .
IMPORTANT FACTS:
In Old Major’s speech he says that if animals got
rid of man, the could live free and happy lives, but
everything would not change overnight. Animals
needed to rebel against the unfair treatment by
humans.
Animal names and characteristics
The animals sing the song several times and are
inspired to strive for their own freedom no matter
how long it will take. The song is like an anthem
of their future freedom.
Old Major then teaches the animals
the song: Beasts of England which is
about an ideal time in the future when
all animals would be free of humans.
“Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland
beasts of every land and clime
Hearken to my joyful tiding
of the golden future time”
Old Major reminds the animals that
once humans have been defeated,
the animals should not adopt any of
the bad habits humans have:
-not live in a house
-not sleep in a bed
-not wear clothes
-not drink alcohol
-not smoke tobacco
-not touch/handle money
-not engage in trade
-not tyrannize other animals
Animal Farm: chapter 2
Who?
Mr Jones; Old Major; Napoleon; Snowball; Squealer; Mollie; Mr Jones & his men; all other
animals
Where?
What?
The Manor Farm
Old Major dies in his sleep. Animals prepare to
fulfill his dream of “all animals being free and
equal”.
The most intelligent animals, the pigs, become
leaders on the farm with Snowball and Napoleon
in front.
Along with Squealer they create the principals of
Animalism. The animals start calling one another
COMRADE to show equality.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Mollie wants to keep her ribbons and sugar
(luxuries), Snowball reminds her these things
symbolize slavery to humans and are not
allowed.
Moses spreads tales of Sugar Candy Mountain –
a place where animals go when they die, but the
pigs convince the other animals it does not exist.
The Rebellion and the seven commandments
Snowball changes the farm name to Animal Farm on the front gate. Snowball and
Napoleon reduce the principles of Animalism to seven commandments, which are then
painted on the barn wall:
SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
The pigs milk the cows and Napoleon tells the other animals the milk will be attended to.
Animals go to the fields and start harvesting, upon their return the milk and apples have
disappeared.
The REBELLION happens earlier
than expected:
Mr Jones drinks too much after
losing money – his men are lazy &
don’t feed the animals one weekend.
The animals break into the feed shed
and when Mr Jones and his men try
to discpline them, they fight back,
The Animals chase the men off the
Farm – Mrs Jones follows soon after.
Animals destroy last evidence of opression:
whips, harnasses etc.
“Beasts of England” is sung a few times.
They agree to preserve the farmhouse as
a museum – no animal must live there.
Pigs teach themselves to read.
Animal Farm: chapter 3
Who?
Snowball; the birds; Napoleon; Jessie & Bluebell; Squealer; Boxer
Where?
What?
Animal Farm (previously known as Manor Farm)
The pigs give orders and supervise the other
animals in their work on the farm.
They find ways to use human tools.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Boxer adopts the phrase “I will work harder” as his
personal motto. He does most of the heavy labour
while Mollie and the cat hardly work at all and
disappear whenever the work gets tough.
Pigs run the farm and take privileges
New tradition: every Sunday the
animals hold a flag-raising ceremony
in the yard and sing “Beasts
of England”.
Snowball and Napoleon’s views
always clash.
Snowball establishes committees
for all animals, he tries to teach
them to read and write.
Napoleon takes Jessie & Bluebell’s nine
puppies and says he will take care of their
education himself.
The committees are not successful
but different animals learn to read
according to their intelligence.
The pigs take all the milk and apples for
themselves.
Squealer convinces the animals that the
pigs need it to do the brain work, otherwise
Jones would come back.
Snowball realises the animals
struggle to remember the seven
commandments and reduces it to
a single statement:
FOUR LEGS GOOD,
TWO LEGS BAD.
Animal Farm: chapter 4
Who?
Napoleon; Snowball; Mr Pilkington; Mr Frederick; Mr Jones; Boxer; Mollie
Where?
What?
Animal Farm – the fields, the cowshed
News about the rebellion on Animal Farm spreads
across half the country. Pigeons are sent by
Snowball and Napoleon to tell other animals the
story of the rebellion and the song “Beasts of
England”.
Mr Jones, and the other farmers become afraid
when they realise they could all become victims
of an Animal rebellion.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Mr Jones, Mr Pilkington, Mr Frederick and their men
decide to join forces to overthrow the new rulers of
the farm. The animals, under the leadership of
Snowball, plan a battle strategy.
The animals break through the ranks of the humans.
Snowball and Boxer bravely fight in front.
Animalism in the outside world,
the Battle of the Cowshed
Boxer and Snowball are given medals of
bravery and the decoration of: Animal
Hero, First Class.
Mr Jones’ gun is set at the foot of the flag
pole – it is a symbol of military power.
The battle will be commemorated on
October 12 every year.
During the battle Mollie hides,
Napoleon is not mentioned,
Snowball is wounded.
Boxer thinks he killed one of the
humans – a stable boy – and
feels bad about it.
The animals run around the farm
in victory. They name the fight the
Battle of the Cowshed, hoist the
flag and sing “Beasts of England”.
Snowball makes a speech in
honour of a sheep that was killed
in the battle.
Animal Farm: chapter 5
Who?
Mollie; Mr Pilkington; Snowball; Mr Jones; the dogs; Boxer, the ducks; Clover; Napoleon;
the sheep; Benjamin; Squealer; Minimus; the hens
Where?
What?
Animal Farm – the barn, the fields
Mollie breaks the rules of Animalism and allows
humans to touch her. When Clover confronts her
about this, Mollie leaves the farm and never comes
back.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Napoleon announces that the windmill will be
built after all and he sends Squealer to spread
the news that it was originally his idea to build
it.
He also gets Squealer to spread the rumour
that Snowball was now out of the way and
could not interfere in the further running of the
farm.
Boxer now also says: “Napoleon is always right”
During the winter months, the farm becomes
Unproductive and the animals settle into meetings
In the barn – the pigs are in charge of the meetings
Napoleon & Snowball are the speakers.
The windmill – Snowball exiled,
Napoleon’s rise to power
A vote needs to be taken about building the
windmill. After Snowball’s speech he gets
the support, but Napoleon calls on his 9
dogs (the puppies he educated) to chase
Snowball off the farm.
With Snowball in exile, Napoleon takes over
the leadership and makes many changes.
During the meetings Napoleon &
Snowball dispute all suggestions
as they always disagree.
Snowball gains support through
his speeches and Napoleon gets
support between meetings on a
one-to-one basis.
Snowball discovers the benefits of
building a windmill on the farm and
designs plans to build one.
Napoleon disagrees that they need
a windmill at all.
A windmill will reduce work hours
and increase productivity.
Animal Farm: chapter 6
Who?
Snowball; the pigs; the hens; Napoleon; the sheep; Muriel; Benjamin; Boxer; Clover; Squealer;
Mr Whymper
Where?
What?
Animal Farm – the fields, the windmill, the farmhouse
For the rest of the year the animals work at a high
pace to complete the windmill and produce enough
food for themselves at the same time.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
A terrible storm destroys the windmill, because
its walls are too thin, but Napoleon blames
Snowball of doing it as a act of sabotage.
He convinces the animals they must rebuild the
windmill without delay.
The animals receive no food at all unless they
work on Sunday afternoons. They were manipulated
by Squealer and Napoleon. That is why they took on
the extra labour.
Human contact and trade, the windmill
is destroyed
The other animals are shocked by the idea
of trading with a human, Squealer manages
to convince the animals that it is for their
benefit.
The pigs begin living in the farmhouse,
they also violate some of the seven
commandments and Old Major’s wishes to
not be like the humans.
Boxer committed himself to
Animal Farm, doing the work of
three horses, never complaining.
The windmill project presents a
number of difficulties – but they
make plans to solve them.
The animals believe they suffer
no more than they had under
Jones’ rule – even though they
work harder and eat less.
They are proud of maintaining the
farm.
Napoleon hires a human, Mr
Whymper – a lawyer.
Animal Farm: chapter 7
Who?
Napoleon; Boxer; Clover; Squealer; Mr Pilkington; Mr Frederick; the 9 dogs; Muriel; Benjamin;
the cows, sheep, geese and hens
Where?
What?
Animal Farm
The animals rebuild the windmill with walls thicker
than before. In January they fall short of food and
rations for all animals (except pigs) are reduced.
Napoleon negotiates a contract of 400 eggs a week
through Mr Whymper.
The hens rebel by destroying or hiding their eggs.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Snowball is rumoured to be hiding on Foxwood and
then Pinchfield.
Mr Frederick and Pilkington bid to buy a pile of timber
left on Animal Farm. Squealer convinces the animals
Snowball sold himself to Frederick and is planning on
attacking Animnal farm.
Snowball is also blamed for sabotaging things on the
farm at night – but these things are simply the result
of bad management on the part of the pigs.
Squealer tries to convince the
animals that Snowball was on
Jones’ side all along and has
been a traitor from the start.
Boxer refuses to believe this.
Killings on the farm – Napoleon leads by force
“Beasts of England” is replaced by a poem of
Minimus called “Animal farm”.
This new song is sung during the flag hoisting
ceremonies.
Minimus also composes poems about Napoleon
which helps build his personality cult.
The other animals are extremely shocked.
Never has any animal hurt another, let alone
kill. They gather on the knoll near the windmill and softly sing “Beasts of England”
which had been outlawed.
Clover is saddened because this is not the
freedom they had fought for in the rebellion.
This was nothing like Old Major’s vision.
Later Napoleon’s dogs seize four
pigs and try to attack Boxer. He
sees them coming and protects
himself.
A few animals confess to conspiring
with Snowball and plotting against
Napoleon. These animals are
executed by the dogs.
Animal Farm: chapter 8
Who?
Napoleon; Squealer; Boxer; Minimus; Mr Frederick; Mr Pilkington
Where?
What?
Animal Farm – the field, the windmill, the farmhouse
The commandment: “No animal shall kill any other
animal” is changed to “No animal shall kill any other
animal without cause”.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
The pigs teach the animals to hate Mr Frederick and
Mr Pilkington, but the animals are shocked to hear
that Mr Frederick buys the timber.
He cheats Napoleon by paying with fake money –
and Napoleon is furious when he finds out.
Trade, the battle of the Windmill and alcohol
The Battle of the Windmill is also commemorated
along with the Battle of the Cowshed.
Napoleon now goes by several titles and the pigs
continue to praise him.
The commandment stating: “No animal shall
drink alcohol” is changed to “ No animal shall
drink alcohol to excess”. They find Squealer
in the barn with a paintbrush. But don’t realise
he changed it.
The animals blame their poor ability to recall
exactly what the commandments originally
said and do not challenge the change.
Mr Frederick and his men
attack the farm with the purpose
of destroying the windmill.
They blow it up with explosives
but the animals manage to chase
them off.
The pigs discover a case of whiskey
in the basement of the farmhouse.
They drink it all and the next morning
Squealer announces that Napoleon
may be dying – because they are
unfamiliar with the effects of alcohol
abuse.
Animal Farm: chapter 9
Who?
Boxer; Clover; Benjamin; the dogs; Squealer; Napoleon; Moses; the sheep
Where?
What?
Animal Farm
The animals start rebuilding the windmill, but their
energy and motivation is low. There is less food on
the farm than when Jones was there.
Squealer convinces them they are better off than
when Jones was there and they are more free.
The rule is established that animals must make way
for Napoleon when he passes through. The pigs must
wear green ribbons on their tails on Sundays.
Pigs get barley at supper.
Materials are bought for the building of a school room.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
No retirement – Napoleon doesn’t keep his word
A memorial banquet is held in honour of Boxer,
but only the pigs celebrate with food and drink.
The money Napoleon got for selling Boxer is used
to buy a crate of whiskey for the pigs.
Boxer healed, but was unable to work as hard
as before. He works towards retirement, but
gets ill and is sold to the glue boiler.
Benjamin reads the sign on the van and knows
Boxer is going to be killed – warns the other
animals but they are too late to save him.
Squealer convinces the animals that Boxer
died peacefully in an animal hospital.
Pigs get pints of beer. The farm
is proclaimed a republic and
Napoleon is elected as its president.
Animals believe Snowball was on
Jones’ side.
Moses reappears on the farm and
joins the pigs in the farmhouse.
The animals are now working like
slaves, but Moses still encourages
them with talk of Sugar Candy
Mountain – a place where they will
be free live in comfort.
Animal Farm: chapter 10
Who?
Clover; Benjamin; Moses; Napoleon; Squealer; Mr Pilkington; the pigs
Where?
What?
Animal Farm again becomes Manor Farm – the farm yard, the farmhouse
Many animals have died and few remember the
rebellion. The windmill is now used to mill corn for
profit and it does not reduce the animals’ workload.
Only the pigs, the dogs and Moses live comfortable
lives with enough to eat.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Squealer says pigs and dogs do important
work for the farm and therefore deserve better
treatment. The animals accept this and carry
on working hard. They still believe in the goals
of the rebellion – that humans must be avoided
and animals must be equal.
Back to the beginning – everything is the same
The pigs and farmers play cards, drink, argue while
the other animals peer through the window.
They cannot see the difference between the pigs
and the humans – the look and act the same.
The pigs invite the neighbouring farmers.
Mr Pilkington toasts Napoleon’s excellent
management of the farm and getting better
production with fewer food rations. He says
they can all learn from Animal Farm.
The animals on the farm will no longer pay
homage Old Major, or call each other
comrade, or raise the flag.
Napoleon changes the farm’s name back
to Manor Farm.
Squealer takes the sheep
elsewhere and teaches
them a new line to bleat:
“Four legs good, two legs
better.”
Clover sees Squealer walk
on two legs first, then the
other pigs also do the same.
Napoleon carries a whip in
his trotter when he walks
around the yard.
The pigs look more and
more like humans.
Benjamin reads the last commandment: “All
animals are equal, but some are more equal
than others”. Napoleon starts wearing Mr
Jones’ clothing, smoking a pipe, using the
telephone.