The Cycle of Oppression: From Jones to Napoleon

Argues that the animals' rebellion fails to break the cycle of oppression, merely replacing one master with another.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Old Tyranny of Jones

The Human Master The Harsh Regime Mr. Jones is a hard master who neglects the animals. He drinks heavily and lets the farm run down. The Animals' Suffering They are underfed, overworked, and slaughtered when useless. Their lives are miserable and short. The Lack of Freedom They have no rights, no voice, and no hope. The rebellion is a desperate attempt to escape this.

The Hope of Liberation

The Brief Flowering The Initial Freedom The animals feel a sense of liberation. They own their labour, they have a flag, a song, and a set of laws. The Equality of the Beginning For a short time, the farm seems to be a true cooperative. The animals are happy and hopeful. The Seeds of the New Tyranny Even in the early days, the pigs begin to take privileges. The cycle is already starting.

The New Tyranny of Napoleon

The Pigs Become the New Masters The Repression Napoleon rules with dogs, purges, and propaganda. The animals work harder and eat less than under Jones. The Loss of Identity The farm is renamed Manor Farm. The pigs adopt human habits. The distinction between animal and human oppressor blurs. The Complete Circle At the end, the pigs are indistinguishable from the humans. The animals have merely exchanged one set of masters for another. The cycle of oppression continues.

before the Rebellion

the first days of Animal Farm

the later years