'Animal Farm' by George Orwell | Book Summary
If you're searching for a simple yet impactful Animal Farm book summary, this article gives you the Animal Farm story in brief—unpacking its key characters, themes, and real-world significance.
What Is Animal Farm About?
Written by George Orwell, Animal Farm is a novella that uses farm animals to deliver a scathing political satire. The story begins with the animals of Manor Farm rising up against their negligent human owner, Mr. Jones, in hopes of creating a fair and equal society.
Their new world, called Animal Farm, is built on the principles of Animalism—where all animals are equal. However, as the pigs assume leadership, the dream of equality quickly dissolves.
Animal Farm in Brief: A Story of Betrayal
At the heart of the Animal Farm story is the pig Napoleon, who emerges as the central dictator. Using cunning and cruelty, he forces out his rival Snowball and rewrites history with the help of Squealer, a master manipulator of language and truth.
The noble ideals of the revolution are gradually distorted. The famous line, “All animals are equal,” is secretly changed to:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
This tragic arc is best represented by Boxer, the hardworking horse, who devotes himself to the cause only to be betrayed and sold when he's no longer useful.
Characters and Their Symbolism
Napoleon (pig) Joseph Stalin
Snowball (pig) Leon Trotsky
Old Major (boar)Karl Marx / Lenin
Boxer (horse)Working class
Squealer (pig)Propaganda media
Mr. Jones (farmer)Tsar Nicholas II
The Dogs Secret police (KGB)
The Sheep Blind followers
Mollie Bourgeoisie
Benjamin (donkey) Cynical intellectuals
Why Is Animal Farm Still Relevant?
This Animal Farm summary isn't just about talking animals—it’s a mirror to human society. Orwell exposes how revolutions can be hijacked, how truth is manipulated, and how power often corrupts those who seek it most.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re reading it for school, curiosity, or deeper political insight, understanding Animal Farm in brief gives you a glimpse into Orwell's timeless warning:
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”