Book Review on George Orwell’s Animal Farm

Individual Dynamics and Leadership
Book review on George Orwell’s Animal Farm

The critical analysis of each chapter along with the interpretation of behavioral theories from the writings is presented. The theories have been related to practical behavior over the analysis.

2012
Anurag Rao(D050), Ellina Rath(D051), Sudipto Saha(D053), Vishal Singh(D057), Srijan Srivastav(D058), Dev Surti(D059) 8/17/2012

Contents Contents 2 Introduction and Book summary 3 Statement of Objectives of the Study 3 Method of Study 3 Chapter wise summary and critical analysis 3 Chapter 1 3 Chapter 2 3 Chapter 3 3 Chapter 4 4 Chapter 5 4 Chapter 6 4 Chapter 7 4 Chapter 8 4 Chapter 9 4 Chapter 10 5 Theoretical framework 5 Relating theory to practical aspects 5 Learning and conclusion 5

Introduction and Book summary
Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell. The book was published in 17-Aug-1945. The characters and situations in the book reflect on the Russian Revolution during the Stalin era.
Animal Farm is a satire on equality. All the animals in the barnyard seek freedom from their human masters' tyranny. Inspired by Major, an old boar in the barnyard, all the animals in Manor Farm embrace Animalism and stage a revolution to achieve a state of justice and progress (ref. “All animals are equal”). Post revolution the Animal Farm finds itself in a state of anarchy. A power-hungry pig, Napoleon, turns into a dictator who oppresses the animals in the Animal Farm (ref. “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others”).

Statement of Objectives of the Study
The study would involve critical analysis of the book, derivation of the concepts present in the book and application of relevant theories studied with respect to Individual dynamics and leadership.

Method of Study

Chapter wise summary and critical analysis
Chapter 1
The story opens with Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, falling asleep in a drunken stupor. Old Major, a 12-year-old pig delivers a rousing speech on the evils inflicted upon them by their human keepers. He then teaches the animals a song, "Beasts of England" having a goal to have a world without humans. Jones awakened by the hullabaloo, fires his gun. Frightened, the animals disperse and go to sleep.
Chapter 2
After the death of Old Major, the animals spend their days planning the rebellion. The pigs, considered to be intelligent are placed in charge of educating the animals about Animalism. Snowball and Napoleon are the most important figures in the revolution. Despite Mollies’s concern with with the feasibility of the revolution, the pigs are successful in conveying the principles of Animalism to the others.
Jones and his men arrive and begin whipping the animals. But soon they are attacked and chased off the farm. The triumphant animals then revel in their brand new freedom. The sign reading "Manor Farm" is changed to "Animal Farm" and the Seven Commandments of Animalism is painted on the wall of the barn.
Chapter 3
Despite the initial difficulties in using farming tools, the animals cooperate to finish the harvest in less time than it had taken Jones and his men. Boxer turns out to be a strong, tireless worker, admired by all the animals. The pigs become the supervisors of the rest of the animals.
On Sundays, the animals meet in the big barn to listen to Snowball and Napoleon. The two is often seen debating. Snowball forms a number of Animal Committees, all of which eventually fail. However, he is successful at bringing a degree of literacy to the animals. Napoleon, meanwhile, focuses his energy on educating the youth and takes the infant pups of Jessie and Bluebell away from their mothers, for educational purposes.
When the animals object of cows' milk and apples being mixed into the pigs' mash, Squealer explains that the pigs work for the benefit of all the other animals.
Chapter 4
As summer ends and news of the rebellion spreads to other farms. Jones spends most of his time in a pub, complaining about his troubles to two neighbouring farmers. In October, Jones and a group of men arrive to seize the Animal Farm. Snowball with his extraordinary tactics and, with the help of the other animals, drives away Jones and his men away. The animals term this event as "The Battle of the Cowshed."
Chapter 5
The pigs increase their influence on the farm, and make policy decisions. Snowball and Napoleon continue their frequent debates, the greatest of which occurs over the building of a windmill. Snowball The two also disagree on whether they should amass weaponry or send out more pigeons to neighbouring farms to spread news of the rebellion.
On a Sunday Napoleon calls out nine ferocious dogs and chase Snowball off the farm. Napoleon then announces a number of other new rules for the farm.
Chapter 6
During the following year, the animals work harder than ever before. Building the windmill was laborious. Napoleon announces that Animal Farm will begin trading with neighbouring farms. Meanwhile the pigs move into the farmhouse and begin sleeping in beds. Squealer explains that the pigs need their rest after the daily strain of running the farm.
That November, a storm topples the half done windmill. Napoleon alleges that Snowball is responsible for its ruin and offers a reward to any animal who kills Snowball or brings him back alive.
Chapter 7
As the humans watch and wait for the Animal Farm to fail the animals struggle against starvation. The hens protest learning that they must surrender their eggs. The hens stage a demonstration resulting in nine deaths.
The animals are made to believe that Snowball visits the farm at night and spitefully subverts their labour. He becomes a constant threat to the animals' security.
One day in spring, Napoleon calls a meeting of all the animals, during which he forces confessions from all the animals who had questioned him and then has them executed by the dogs. Eventually, "Beasts of England" is outlawed and replaced with a new song although the animals do not find the song as meaningful as their previous anthem.
Chapter 8
The following year brings more work on the windmill and less food for the workers. After the completion of the new windmill Napoleon sells the pile of timber to Frederick. Napoleon, Frederick's forges the deal and Napoleon pronounces death sentence.
The next morning, Frederick and his men arrive at Animal Farm and attempt to take it by force. They blow up the windmill which leads to a brawl. Squealer explains to the bleeding animals that they were actually victorious in what will hereafter be called "The Battle of the Windmill."
Chapter 9
After celebrating their so-called victory the animals begin building a new windmill. Their efforts are again led by Boxer. Food supplies continue to diminish while the pigs continue to grow fatter. Squaler comes in to placate the animals.
Once his hoof heals, Boxer works as hard as he can at building the windmill — until the day he collapses. Squealer informs them that Napoleon has sent for the veterinarian. When the van arrives to take Boxer to the hospital, Benjamin learns that Boxer is actually being taken to a knacker. Clover screams to Boxer to escape, but he’s too weak to kick his way out of the van. Squealer is again seen placating the animals through lies. The chapter ends with a grocer's van delivering a crate of whisky to the pigs who drink it all.
Chapter 10
Years pass, and Animal Farm undergoes its final changes. All the animals continue their lives of hard work and little food except, of course, for the pigs. One evening, Clover is shocked to see Napoleon walking on his hind legs. Clover also notices that the wall on which the Seven Commandments were written has been repainted: Now, the wall simply reads, "All animals are equal but some are more equal than others”.