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Animal Farm
George Orwell
Contributed by Sharon Fleming
Content
Overview
Context
Characters
Motifs
Themes
Symbols
Plot Summary
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
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Chapter 4
Summary

The summer is already ended, and the news of the rebellion in the Manor farm is spreading very fast. The pigeons that have been released by Napoleon and Snowball have facilitated the spreads of this news to other farms. Meanwhile, Jones is seated at a bar enjoying his usual drinks. In October, Jones and a group of other men raid the farm with an idea of trying to regain control over it. However, Snowball shows that he is a master tactician when, with the help of other animals, they successfully repulse the attacks from the humans. The victory provides the animals to celebrate yet another victory against the humans in what they call "The Battle of the Cowshed."

Analysis

When Napoleon and Snowball release the pigeons to spread the news of the successful rebellion, it is clear that would want all the animals in the other neighboring farms to comprehend the magnitude of their achievement. The actions by the two pigs may be construed to be a signal to the other animals that through rebellion, they may as well gain control over their affairs. This may be an attempt to spread the dreams of the Old Major.

When Jones visits two neighboring farmers, it is clear that he is still sorrowful about the eventualities in his farm. While the two farmers, Pilkington and Frederick, can only sympathize with the situation of their colleague, it is abundantly clear that the humans are greedy and self-centered. The discussion, to an extent, validates the desire of the animals to overthrow the man-led regimes. The discussion between Jones and the two farmers silently speaks of the desire of the other farmers to use the situation of Jones to their advantage. Each farmer is "secretly wondering whether he could somehow turn Jones' misfortune to his advantage.\" That is the epitome of betrayal and backstabbing that characterizes the actions of humans in the novel.

From the discussion, Pilkington and Frederick are of the opinion that the animals are "rebelling against the laws of nature." In this context, Orwell uses the term nature to refer to the situation in which the humans have taken full control over the other animals in the world, and they are using it to their advantage. As would be expected, the composition of what is ‘natural' is different in the perspective of man and animals.

When he senses that the other animals in the neighboring farms are beginning to get inspired by the rebellion at his farm, Jones attempts to take back his farm. However, this time he attempts to use military force. In spite of this, the animals prove to be more tactful and prepared than Jones and they successfully repulse him. By taking this course of action, Jones proves that he is inept and clueless. Knocking Jones down to a dung heap further signals the downfall of Jones. The fact that Jones runs from the farm is an indication that the animals have become incredibly strong and are not scared of Jones.

Chapter four ends with the depiction of the Animal farm as having its foundations on military might and preparations rather than agrarian success. There are military decorations as well as the naming of the battles. Besides, the occasion where Jones' gun has had to be fired twice every year depicts a society that is more interested in ceremonies rather than meaningful growth. It appears that the ground is being set for the Animal Farm to be governed by fiat rather than the seven commandments.

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