One of the greatest works of foreign literature of the twentieth century is George Orwell ’s short story Animal Farm. The summary of this book will certainly inspire reading the original. The story of the American writer in a veiled form reflects important events in the history of Russia.
basic information
Orwell completed work on a utopia that tells of a gradual and, in the author’s opinion, inevitable transition from ideas of universal equality to totalitarianism and a rigid dictatorship in 1944. The story first appeared in print after the end of World War II. Original title - Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. The work contains satire on the Soviet Union, in some characters famous historical figures are guessed. Orwell's story " Animal Farm " about the 1917 revolution and the events that took place in the first twenty years after the creation of the new state.
Already from the name it is clear that the main characters here are not people , but animals. However, some of them are endowed with cruelty, which is inherent only to man. Before giving a brief summary of the " Animal Farm " , it is necessary to define the basic term of this philosophical work - " scotism " . This concept is a parody of communism. “ Scotism, ” or “ animalism, ” is a philosophical system according to which animals exist in complete independence from humans.
Animal Farm: Summary
The heroes of the story are the inhabitants of the Farmstead. Its owner, Mr. Jones , suffers from alcoholism, and therefore his affairs are going badly. Sometimes he even forgets to feed the animals. One day a twelve-year-old boar named Major arranges a meeting. It is from this event that the narrative begins.
The major engenders revolutionary thoughts in the minds of the inhabitants of the farm. What will happen if animals become free, cease to depend on selfish and cruel people? Old Major argues that sometime there must be an uprising, which ultimately will make the inhabitants of the farm happy. They will work less, but eat better. In the animal world, equality will come. It is only necessary to get rid of human dictatorship.
A few days after the meeting, the Major dies. However, the ideas expressed by a wise boar continue to live. The song, which in one of the last days of his life was performed by a major, becomes the anthem of the liberation movement. The anthem is called " Cattle of England. "
One day, Jones forgets to feed the animals. They angrily attack him and his assistants. Thus, the long-awaited revolution takes place. From now on, there is not a single person on the farm. All power belongs to animals. Pigs - Napoleon , Snowball, Screech - are at the helm in a new small state.
The trouble is that the ideals of equality and universal happiness are forgotten over time. Pigs are managing more and less. Other animals have to do hard work from dawn to dusk. Despite this, they are happy. The inhabitants of the farm believe in ideas, the implementation of which they once inspired by the wise Major.
This is a summary of the Animal Farm. But here, of course, not all the events in the life of the inhabitants of the farm are told. Over time, unbeknownst to many animals, a dictatorship is established in the farmyard. Repression, denunciations and other phenomena characteristic of the politics of totalitarianism begin. And most importantly, the substitution of values. The ideas that once inspired animals to revolt gradually recede into the background - they are inconvenient to the dictator and his henchmen.
The seven commandments invented by pigs
After the expulsion of people from the farm, animals began to learn to read and write. True, many could not even master the alphabet. Special intellectual abilities were demonstrated by pigs. It was they who set forth the seven commandments, which henceforth must be adhered to by all animals: horses, goats, sheep, hens, dogs, cats.
On the barn wall in white paint, one of the hogs wrote:
- The enemy is the one that walks on two legs.
- A friend is one who walks on four legs.
- Animals do not wear clothes.
- Animals do not sleep in bed.
- Animals do not drink alcohol.
- Animals do not kill each other.
- All animals are equal.
In the plot of the Animal Farm , these commandments are not the last meaning. The fact is that over time they begin to break. And it is not horses, goats, sheep and chickens that violate them, but pigs, that is, those in power. The commandments do not cancel. They quietly make adjustments. So, the postulate that the animal cannot kill itself is supplemented with the words "for no reason. " The commandment, which states that not one inhabitant of the farm has the right to drink alcohol, - with the words " unconscious " .
The characters of " Animal Farm " are quite colorful. Some have specific prototypes. Others are collective images. Orwell’s Animal Farm also has characters that symbolize a particular social layer.
Major
This character makes a long speech at the very beginning of the work, and then, as has already been said, dies. The major does not become either a witness or a participant in the uprising. However, animals later dig up his skull from the grave and erect it in a prominent place. Every morning, looking at the remains of the late hog, they sing their favorite song, "The Cattle of England. " Character prototypes - Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin.
Napoleon
If after the uprising in power there are two characters, then later the farm is managed by only one. Napoleon is aggressive, power-hungry, cunning. Once he hid puppies in his closet, raised, raised them. And later used to establish sole authority. Animals eventually begin to call him " leader . " They trust him unquestioningly even after they witness the mass execution. It is easy to guess to which of the historical figures this literary hero refers. To Stalin.
Snowball
The author is sympathetic to this character. Snowball is very popular among the inhabitants of the farm. He is the author of the idea of creating a mill, which will further facilitate the life of animals. However, Snowball becomes a victim of Napoleon's treachery. He is expelled from the farm, and later accused of sabotage, betrayal and other crimes. This character resembles the revolutionary Leo Trotsky.
Screech
Napoleon appears less and less before the inhabitants of the company. He is hiding on the sidelines, and gives instructions to animals through his attorney - Screech . Napoleon’s faithful assistant is distinguished by amazing eloquence and the ability to convey even the most crazy ideas to the crowd. He is cunning, quirky and not devoid of artistry. This character refers to the politician Vyacheslav Molotov and partially to Trotsky , who also had remarkable oratorical abilities.
Boxer
This is the most hardworking inhabitant of the farmyard. He worked hard under both Jones and Napoleon. Boxer's favorite phrase: " I will work more. " It is difficult for a hardworking horse to understand the intrigues that are conducted between the rulers of the farm. Each time Boxer has doubts, he begins to work even more, while demonstrating unlimited credulity and devotion to those in power. Another phrase of this character: " Napoleon is always right. " Ultimately , the " leader " sells it to the flayer . Boxer personifies the Stakhanov movement.
Benjamin
The old donkey understands much more than it might seem at first glance . Benjamin, unlike most animals, can read. He notices changes in the commandments written on the wall of the barn. He sees a lot, but is almost always silent. Benjamin is the only one who understands that the old Boxer was sent not for treatment, but to the flipper . What does this character represent? Soviet intelligentsia.
Molly
The frivolous horse is not at all pleased with the changes that came after the expulsion of Jones. Although she does not openly express her point of view. Molly loves ribbons that symbolize luxury. At the meetings, even before the uprising, she asked only one question: “ Will there be sugar? ” After the establishment of a new government, she runs away to the neighboring farm. Molly personifies Russian emigration.
Other characters
The sheep, easily manipulated by Napoleon, symbolize the bulk of the population in the country ruled by a dictator. The loyal dogs of the “ leader ” resemble NKVD officers. In the story of Orwell, there are people among the characters. This is Jones, Pilkington , Winter. The prototype of Frederick - the brutal owners of a neighboring farm - Adolf Hitler.