The Pigs' Betrayal of the Other Animals' Trust

Follows the gradual erosion of trust as the pigs break their promises and exploit the animals' loyalty.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Initial Trust

The Faith in the Pigs The Natural Leaders The animals accept the pigs' leadership because they are clever. They believe the pigs act for the common good. The Unquestioning Obedience Boxer and Clover absorb everything the pigs say. They trust that the pigs' decisions are right. The First Small Betrayals The milk and apples disappear, but the animals trust Squealer's explanation. The seeds of betrayal are sown.

The Broken Promises

The Unkept Words The Commandments Altered The Commandments against beds, killing, alcohol, and trade are all changed. The animals are told they misremembered. The Abolition of Meetings The promise of democratic debate is revoked. The animals are given orders, not choices. The False Promises of the Windmill Snowball's dream of a three-day week and electric lights is forgotten. The pigs now say the truest happiness lies in hard work.

The Final Destructuion of Trust

The Complete Alienation The Pigs Become Human The pigs walk on two legs, wear clothes, and carry whips. They are now indistinguishable from the humans they replaced. The Name Change Napoleon returns the farm to its original name, Manor Farm, symbolizing the loss of everything the animals fought for. The Shattered Illusion The animals realize that they have been betrayed. They are no better off than before. The trust is gone, but they are powerless to act.

the early days of Animal Farm

throughout the story

the end of the story