Animal Farm Audiobook Chapter 2

Summary

In this excerpt from *Animal Farm*, the animals rebel against their oppressive human owner, Mr. Jones, and take control of the farm. Led by the pigs, especially Snowball and Napoleon, the animals establish the principles of Animalism, renaming the farm 'Animal Farm.' As the pigs take on leadership, they introduce the Seven Commandments to guide the farm's new society. However, early signs of inequality appear, particularly when the pigs secretly take the milk for themselves, hinting at future power struggles and corruption. This chapter marks the beginning of a revolutionary yet flawed society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Old Major dies peacefully, and his teachings spark a movement among the animals for change.
• 😀 The pigs, particularly Snowball and Napoleon, take charge of spreading the idea of Animalism to the other animals on the farm.
• 😀 Despite some initial reluctance and ignorance, many animals begin to embrace the idea of rebellion and the vision of Animalism.
• 😀 Molly, the white mare, is more concerned with material comforts like sugar and ribbons than the revolutionary ideals.
• 😀 Moses, the tame raven, spreads a tale of Sugar Candy Mountain, a paradise where animals go after death, which distracts some animals from the rebellion.
• 😀 Boxer and Clover, two cart-horses, become the most loyal supporters of the pigs and Animalism, absorbing their teachings without question.
• 😀 Mr. Jones's neglect of the farm, due to his drinking problem and disheartened state, leads to a rebellion by the animals.
• 😀 The animals revolt when Mr. Jones and his men fail to feed them, resulting in the expulsion of Jones and his workers from the farm.
• 😀 After the rebellion, the animals joyously claim the farm as their own and begin to destroy symbols of human oppression, like whips and harnesses.
• 😀 The pigs, after learning to read and write, rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish the seven commandments of Animalism, which all animals are to follow.
• 😀 The pigs prioritize the harvest but secretly drink the milk that is supposed to be shared among all animals, beginning to show signs of corruption.

Q & A

What was the significance of Old Major's speech in the story?

Old Major's speech inspired the animals to envision a society where they could live free from human oppression. It planted the seeds for the Rebellion, offering a vision of equality and justice, which would later be known as Animalism.

How did the pigs become the leaders of the farm after Old Major's death?

After Old Major's death, the pigs, being the most intelligent animals, took on the responsibility of organizing the others and teaching them the principles of Animalism. Snowball and Napoleon, two young boars, emerged as the primary leaders of the movement.

What role did Squealer play in spreading the message of Animalism?

Squealer was a brilliant speaker who played a crucial role in spreading Animalism to the other animals. He had the ability to persuade others, even convincing them of contradictory ideas, such as turning black into white, making him a powerful tool for the pigs' leadership.

Why did some animals, like Molly, struggle to understand the principles of Animalism?

Molly, the white mare, was focused on material comforts like sugar and ribbons, which were symbols of human luxury. She found it difficult to comprehend the deeper ideals of Animalism, which prioritized freedom and equality over individual desires.

What was Moses' role in the story, and how did the pigs respond to him?

Moses, the tame raven, spread tales of a utopian place called Sugar Candy Mountain, where animals went after death. His stories were a distraction from the harsh realities of farm life. The pigs worked hard to discredit Moses' stories, as they feared his ideas would undermine the Rebellion and distract the animals.

How did the Rebellion unfold, and what was the immediate reaction of the animals?

The Rebellion unfolded unexpectedly when the animals, enraged by Mr. Jones' neglect and cruelty, rebelled against him. The animals quickly expelled Jones and his men from the farm, and in the excitement, they began to destroy all remnants of human oppression. The immediate reaction was one of joy and disbelief, as they reveled in their newfound freedom.

What symbolic actions did the animals take to erase the past under Mr. Jones' rule?

The animals destroyed everything associated with Mr. Jones' oppressive rule, including the harnesses, whips, and other human tools. They also threw ribbons into the fire, symbolizing their rejection of human customs. The animals even decided to preserve the farmhouse as a museum, with a unanimous resolution that no animal should ever live there.

Why was the renaming of the farm to 'Animal Farm' important?

Renaming the farm from 'Manor Farm' to 'Animal Farm' was a symbolic act of rebellion. It represented the animals' complete liberation from human rule and their new identity as masters of the land. This was a step toward solidifying the principles of Animalism and marking the beginning of a new era.

What was the purpose of the seven Commandments painted on the barn wall?

The seven Commandments were established as the guiding principles of Animalism, meant to ensure equality and freedom for all animals. They outlined the basic rights of animals and prohibited behaviors associated with humans, such as wearing clothes or drinking alcohol.

What happened to the milk, and what does this signify about the pigs' leadership?

The milk, which was initially intended to be shared among the animals, mysteriously disappeared. Napoleon declared that the milk would be 'attended to later,' but it revealed that the pigs were beginning to take advantage of their power. This foreshadowed the pigs' eventual corruption and manipulation of resources for their own benefit.