Animal Farm Summary of Chapters 1 and 2 - Powering through Prose

Summary

On Manor Farm, after the owner Mr. Jones drunkenly stumbles off to bed, Old Major, a wise pig, gathers the animals to share a vision of rebellion against the oppressive rule of humans. He inspires the animals with the idea of animalism, a system where they live free from tyranny. Following Old Major's death, Napoleon and Snowball lead the animals in a successful uprising, overthrowing Jones and taking control of the farm. The pigs establish new rules, but soon after, the pigs begin to enjoy luxuries that seem to betray their revolutionary ideals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Old Major, the prize boar, has a prophetic dream and speaks to the animals about the injustices they face on the farm.
• 😀 Old Major encourages the animals to unite, rebel against the tyranny of man, and work towards equality and brotherhood.
• 😀 The animals learn the song 'Beasts of England,' which becomes their anthem, symbolizing their rebellion and hopes for a better future.
• 😀 After Old Major's death, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, form the ideology of Animalism, a system that advocates for animal equality.
• 😀 Moses, the pet raven, spreads misinformation about the afterlife, but loyal animals like Boxer and Clover help support the pigs' cause.
• 😀 The Rebellion begins when Mr. Jones neglects the animals' feeding, leading them to seize control of the farm.
• 😀 The animals successfully overthrow Mr. Jones and his men, claiming the farm as their own and destroying symbols of oppression.
• 😀 The animals find The Farmhouse to be luxurious and decide to keep it as a museum, forbidding any animal to live in it.
• 😀 The animals rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish the Seven Commandments as the laws they must follow.
• 😀 The pigs, who have learned to read and write, begin to assume leadership roles and, in a surprising move, secretly keep the milk for themselves.

Q & A

What event begins the story in the script?

The story begins with the sun setting on Manor Farm, where the animals stir after the owner, Mr. Jones, drunkenly stumbles off to bed. This marks the beginning of a significant event in the farm's history.

What is Old Major's primary concern in his speech to the animals?

Old Major is deeply troubled by the miserable lives of the farm animals, who are underfed, overworked, and cruelly slaughtered. He questions why they must accept this injustice and advocates for rebellion against human tyranny.

What is the solution that Old Major proposes to the animals' suffering?

Old Major proposes that the animals should unite, rebel against the humans, and overthrow the tyranny of man. He believes that without humans, the farm would be a paradise where all animals live in luxury and equality.

What is the significance of the song 'Beasts of England'?

'Beasts of England' becomes the anthem for the animals, symbolizing their unity and the ideals of the rebellion. Old Major teaches it to the animals during his speech, and they sing it passionately, reinforcing their resolve to overthrow their oppressors.

How does Mr. Jones react to the animals singing the anthem?

Mr. Jones reacts by firing a shotgun towards the barn to stop the noise, signaling his fear of the rebellion and his inability to control the animals' growing unity.

What happens after Old Major's death?

After Old Major dies, the pigs Napoleon and Snowball continue to promote his teachings and develop the philosophy of 'Animalism.' They work hard to spread the idea among the animals, despite opposition from others, such as the pet raven Moses, who spreads misinformation.

What leads to the rebellion on the farm?

The rebellion is triggered when Mr. Jones neglects to feed the animals, leaving them hungry and angry. In response, the animals, led by the cows, break into the grain sheds and help themselves to food, eventually turning on Mr. Jones and his men, forcing them to flee the farm.

What does Snowball do after the rebellion?

After the rebellion, Snowball leads the animals in destroying tools and symbols of their past oppression, such as the ribbons used to tie the horses' manes, and proclaims that all animals will live free of human-imposed constraints.

What change occurs to the farm after the rebellion?

After the rebellion, the farm is renamed Animal Farm, and the animals begin to organize their lives according to the new principles of Animalism. They also decide to keep the farmhouse as a museum, ensuring no animal will live in it.

What happens to the milk after the rebellion?

After the rebellion, the pigs successfully milk the cows, but the milk mysteriously disappears that evening. The animals are left wondering if the pigs kept it for themselves, raising suspicions about their actions.