Compared to other animals, pigs are the most brilliant group on the farm because they can master reading and writing in less time. But what happens when they can decide other animals’ fates? What immoral things will pigs do to keep their power? This paper explores George Orwell’s Animal Farm, a satire about the former USSR. While this novel features a large cast of characters, the novel is primarily centered on how pigs slowly turn into humans. These are the main pigs in Animal Farm. Napoleon controls other animals since he does not like competition; Squalor is a polished speaker who can turn black to white; Snowball is one of the few that desire a free and equal world for all animals.

Along with the pigs, other animals are key to the story. Boxer is a horse that has the most muscular strength on the farm; an elder donkey, Benjamin has witnessed many memorable events; the raven Moses tells the story about candy mountain, a true utopia where every animal reside after death. In-depth analysis of these main characters can enable us to better understand the reason why Orwell’s classic became dystopian when it was clearly intended as utopian.

The tragic turning point occurs when Old Major dies, and the pigs take over. To ensure that the farm will thrive, the pigs leverage the words of Old Major about the Seven Commandments to guarantee orderly conduct. When every animal follows the regulations, however, the ruling pigs think they are above the law; they exploit loopholes to hoard many goods for themselves. Keeping humans away from the farm becomes the unifying principle that the pigs declare to all other animals. Within the pig group itself, arguments ensue, mostly between Napoleon and Snowball. Both want to take total control. Whereas the former focuses on children's education, the latter strives to invent a new phenomenon. One day, Snowball innovates a blueprint of the windmill. Not wanting Snowball to garner support from other animals, Napoleon instructs the dogs to chase him out of his sight. After Napoleon kills Snowball, he becomes the dictator of the farm. As Napoleon wields more power, his oppression of other beasts grows. 

With this omnipotency, Napoleon feels empowered to do anything he wants. To persuade animals that are easy to control, he tasks Squalor to handle this facet. The dogs threaten other beasts into submission. Napoleon himself reaps the benefits of others’ labor. In fact, the pigs change their commandments frequently just for their benefit. For example, when they want to sleep in bed or to drink alcohol, they alter the existing regulations. Boxer is an animal who gives his all to the farm. He always says, “I will work better,” and “Napoleon is always right.” As the largest contributor to the windmill, Boxer still cannot stop its failing because the wind is too strong. Winter was hard since resources were divested towards making the windmill. When Napoleon begins trading eggs to humans for food, the hens begin balking at giving him eggs. In retaliation, Napoleon does not feed them for two weeks. As a result, nine hens die. Animals use the food received from trade with humans to support the building of a giant wall for the windmill. While the windmill is fortified, the animals do not receive much food to sustain their health.

At the beginning of the spring, Napoleon sells the wood to Mr. Frederick for money. Giving Napoleon fake cash, Mr. Frederick plans an attack on Animal Farm. Using guns to keep other animals away, Mr. Frederick detonates explosives to destroy the windmill. After the war, Boxer collapses from exhaustion with his work. Squealer says they will send Boxer to the best hospital in Wellington. Instead, they sell Boxer to be slaughtered for the cash to purchase more whiskey.

Years pass and most animals forget Snowball and Boxer, except those who truly care for them. As the pigs have meetings inside human houses and drink wine, the animals see the pigs’ faces slowly turn to human ones. Once this realization sets in, it is already too late. Animal Farm is Orwell’s symbolic tale of the oppression of the rich and privileged against the working class. 

From the analysis of Animal Farm, we can learn a few key lessons. First, it is a cautionary tale of letting power control us. Second, irrespective of our stations in life, we must remember that collaborating with others is the best solution. Third, treating other individuals with fairness and respect is a great way to receive the same treatment back. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon all of us to function harmoniously within group dynamics so that everybody can experience communal progress.