GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE English Literature
- Animal Farm: the plot
Animal Farm: the plot
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
George Orwell's novella tells how animals overthrow their farmer, only to be ruled by pigs who become just as bad.
Revolution
Old Major, a respected boar, describes his dream of animals free from humans.
After he dies, the animals rebel and drive out the drunken farmer Mr Jones. Manor Farm becomes Animal Farm.
The pigs write Seven Commandments, such as that all animals are equal.
After he dies, the animals rebel and drive out the drunken farmer Mr Jones. Manor Farm becomes Animal Farm.
The pigs write Seven Commandments, such as that all animals are equal.
Power struggle
Snowball and Napoleon argue, especially about Snowball's windmill.
Napoleon uses dogs he has secretly raised to chase Snowball off the farm.
He then blames Snowball for everything, while Squealer spreads propaganda. Animals who 'confess' to plotting are killed.
Napoleon uses dogs he has secretly raised to chase Snowball off the farm.
He then blames Snowball for everything, while Squealer spreads propaganda. Animals who 'confess' to plotting are killed.
Betrayal
The loyal horse Boxer works himself to collapse and is sold to a horse slaughterer.
The pigs change the commandments, move into the farmhouse, drink and trade with humans.
At the end, the animals look from pig to man and cannot tell the difference.
The pigs change the commandments, move into the farmhouse, drink and trade with humans.
At the end, the animals look from pig to man and cannot tell the difference.
Why is the ending so powerful?
- The pigs have become exactly like the humans they replaced.
- The revolution has gone full circle.
- Orwell shows how revolutions can be betrayed by their leaders.
Answer: Because the pigs have become indistinguishable from the human oppressors, showing the revolution's complete betrayal.
Old Major's dream, the Rebellion, the Seven Commandments, Snowball versus Napoleon, Snowball expelled, terror and propaganda, Boxer sold, and pigs who become like men.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.