All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.- George Orwell

• Animals on Manor Farm rebel against their human owner, Mr. Jones, led by the pigs.
• They establish Animal Farm with the belief that all animals are equal.
• The pigs, specifically Napoleon and Snowball, take on leadership roles and make decisions for the farm.
• Snowball proposes plans to improve the farm, such as building a windmill, while Napoleon focuses on consolidating power.
• Snowball and Napoleon become rivals, leading to Snowball's expulsion from the farm.
• Napoleon gradually assumes total control and manipulates the other animals using propaganda and fear tactics.
• The pigs rewrite the Seven Commandments to justify their actions and privileges.
• The working-class animals face increasing hardships and are exploited for the benefit of the pigs.
• Napoleon forms alliances with neighboring farmers and begins adopting human-like behaviors.
• The principles of equality and revolution are betrayed as the pigs become corrupt and indistinguishable from the humans they once opposed.
• The book serves as an allegory for the rise of totalitarianism and a critique of political power, manipulation, and the corruption of ideals.

• Greed prevails disregarding the political system in place.
• No one is fighting for you (unless you pay them). People only fight for themselves.
• It is easier to control ignorant people rather than educated ones.
• Even if others (politicians) seem smarter, that doesn’t mean they will do whats best for you.
• Blind obedience is a main cause of brainwashing.

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Here's a symbolic representation of the characters in "Animal Farm":

• Mr.Jones: Mr Jones is the owner of Manor Farm who is regularly drunk and careless when it comes to taking care of his farm.
  His character represents the Russian emperor, Tsar Nicholas II who ruled Russia before 1917. During his rule, the upper class were rich and powerful, whilst the majority of the population were poor and lived in terrible conditions. This can be likened to Mr Jones at the start of the novel, with his poor leadership on the farm resulting in the animals being malnourished.

• Old Major: is a wise and intelligent pig who is well-respected by the other animals and inspires the rebellion.
  Old major partly represents the German philosopher Karl Marx, as he was a communist who believed that everyone should revolt against the government.
  However, just as Karl Marx died before the Russian revolution, the Old Major also dies before the rebellion has happened.

• Napoleon: is known to be the most powerful and intimidating character in the story.
  Napoleon’s character represents the Soviet Union dictator, Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin came to rule Soviet Russia after the death of Lenin in 1924. Under his rule, the union changed from a pleasant society to a military and industrial superpower. Joseph, like Napoleon, killed those who rebelled or got in his way.

• Snowball: is described as “a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive,” meaning he was smarter and more well-spoken than Napoleon.
  His character represents Leon Trotsky, a political theorist, revolutionary and leader of the Red Army. Leon Trotsky was also a leader, however, struggled against Stalin, similar to Snowball’s struggle against Napoleon.

• Squealer: was second in command to Napoleon and is known to be clever and a good speaker, which is why he was constantly helping out Napoleon. His character represented Stalin’s propaganda machine (Pravda), Vyacheslav Molotov who was Joseph Stalin's protégé.

• The Farm Animals: The other farmyard animals are trusting and hardworking and are the heroic victims of the novel. They are used to represent the working/lower class within Russia.
• Sheep: The sheep may not play a major part within the story however they still have a very important representation. The sheep represent the massive propaganda machine that Stalin set up as he came into power in Russia.
• The Dogs: Bluebell, Jessie and Pincher are good dogs. Meanwhile, Napoleon’s dogs that he uses to police the farm are bad and represent the secret organisations of the police.

Events:

• The hens refusing to give up their eggs is the Ukrainian revolt against collectivism
• The windmill represents Stalin's "five year plan", along with its subsequent failure that leads to famine.
• The Order of the Green Banner is the Order of Lenin
• Frederick / Hitler's attack on the farm is the German invasion of Russia in WW2. It's repulsed, bloodily, just like the USSR threw back the Nazis in places like Stalingrad and Leningrad
• The cat represents the portion of the Russian upper class, intelligentsia, and bureaucracy that survived the revolution by pretending to support it. She was pampered by the Empire and would prefer to return to the old regime, but she’s an expert at manipulation and deception so she survives in the new regime.

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Reasons to read it:

• "Animal Farm" is a powerful allegory that satirically depicts the rise and corruption of totalitarianism and the flaws of political systems. Through the use of animals as characters, George Orwell provides a thought-provoking commentary on power, manipulation, and the potential dangers of authoritarian rule.
• The book presents its political themes through a compelling and accessible narrative, making it suitable for readers of various ages and backgrounds. Orwell's storytelling style keeps readers engaged and invested in the fate of the animal characters.
• "Animal Farm" prompts readers to reflect on human nature, the dynamics of power, and the potential for corruption within societies. It raises questions about equality, justice, and the consequences of unchecked authority.

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Reasons to skip it: