Chapter 1 The Revolution Begins
The opening chapter of this animal farm summary introduces Manor Farm in England, where the animals, led by the wise pig Old Major (Sage the Elder), initiate a revolution against human oppression. The narrative establishes the foundational conflict between the exploited animals and their human masters.
Highlight The story serves as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism, with each character representing historical figures.
Definition Allegory - A story that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Key Characters
- Old Major (Sage) Represents Lenin, the ideological founder of the revolution
- Napoleon Symbolizes Stalin, the eventual dictator
- Snowball Represents Trotsky, the intellectual revolutionary
- Boxer (Malabar) Embodies the loyal working class
- Benjamin Symbolizes the cynical intellectuals who see through political manipulation
Quote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" - This pivotal quote encapsulates the entire theme of power corruption.
Example The character of Boxer, with his motto "I will work harder," represents the dedicated but exploited working class, demonstrating how loyalty can be manipulated by those in power.
Vocabulary
- Satirical Using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize society
- Authoritarian Enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom
- Totalitarianism A system of government requiring complete subservience to the state
The analysis reveals how Orwell masterfully crafts a la ferme des animaux analyse philosophique that examines the nature of power, propaganda, and social control. Through the farm's transformation, we witness how revolutionary ideals can be corrupted, leading to a system as oppressive as the one it replaced.