Summary, Review & Analysis: George Orwell's Animal Farm

*Note: Our summary is an accompaniment to Animal Farm and not the novel itself. While it will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the book, it is not intended to stand in its place.*

Talking animals might be a favorite characteristic of children’s fables, but in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the story isn’t child’s play. A dystopian tale about what happens when a group of barnyard animals rebels against the humans; this mid-century book is today considered a literary classic.

This summary was made for the listener who has a deep curiosity about classic literature, especially Animal Farm. It is the ideal guide to help you get a grasp on Orwell’s story, which has been viewed as an allegory for 20th Century politics. In quick chapter breakdowns and analyses, this summary explains how Orwell’s book was a cautionary tale against dictatorship, Communism, and the Soviet Union. Read this guide to get an overview and understanding of Animal Farm's themes, motifs, and symbols. Gain insight into how idealism becomes corrupted. Become aware of how anthems and rituals on "Animal Farm" are used as tools for mass control. At a key point in the book, discover Orwell’s “Seven Commandments” of Animal Farm, which foreshadow tragedies to come.

This summary offers other valuable features to help you tame Animal Farm, including a detailed character list and analysis, expert criticism on the pros and cons of the book, and a full synopsis of George Orwell’s biography, including information about his other major works.