Animal Farm | Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis | George Orwell
Chapter 2 Summary The Rise of Animal Farm
Old Major's Death and the Birth of Rebellion
- Old Major dies peacefully, leading to the animals organizing their rebellion with the pigs taking a leadership role.
- Introduction of key characters: Napoleon (cunning), Snowball (idealistic), and Squealer (the voice of the revolution).
- Moses, a voice of opposition, tells animals about Sugar Candy Mountain, questioning if rebellion is worth it.
The Revolution Begins
- Mr. Jones neglects his farm and gets drunk; this leads to a real revolution as animals fight back.
- Animals destroy tools symbolizing bondage and write the Seven Commandments on the barn wall.
- Key commandments include: "Two-legged things are enemies," "Four-legged friends," and "All animals are equal."
Control Over Destiny
- Animals take control of their own fate by managing harvest better than Mr. Jones did.
- Pigs assume leadership roles due to their ability to read and write; education becomes crucial for governance.
Parallels with Communism
- The revolution mirrors communism; Mr. Jones represents Tsar Nicholas II, exploiting poor masses for personal gain.
- Importance of education highlighted as pigs lead while other animals like Benjamin also contribute.