The Windmill Project: A Symbol of Hope and Exploitation

Follows the windmill from conception through destruction and rebuilding, revealing how it becomes a tool of manipulation.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Snowball's Vision

The Dream of Labour-Free Days The Plans Snowball, using books from the farmhouse, draws elaborate plans for a windmill. He envisions electric lights, warm stalls, and a three-day work week. The animals are awestruck. Napoleon's Opposition Napoleon declares the windmill a waste of time, arguing for immediate food production. He urinates on the plans, showing contempt. The farm becomes divided. The Vote At the decisive meeting, Snowball's speech almost wins, but Napoleon's dogs expel him. The windmill is postponed.

Napoleon Adopts the Windmill

The Changed Position The Announcement Napoleon announces that the windmill will be built after all, claiming the plans were his. The animals are confused but accept Squealer's explanation of 'tactics'. The Labour of Building All animals work tirelessly, especially Boxer, who drags huge boulders from the quarry. The work is backbreaking, but they believe in the future. The First Destruction A violent gale destroys the half-built windmill. Napoleon blames Snowball, and the animals, despite their grief, begin rebuilding with thicker walls.

Rebuilding and the Battle of the Windmill

The Second Effort Hard Work Amid Shortage The animals work through bitter winter and spring. Food is scarce, and rations are reduced. Boxer's health declines, but he remains determined. Frederick's Attack Frederick of Pinchfield, having cheated Napoleon with forged banknotes, attacks the farm. He blows up the completed windmill with dynamite. The Animals' Counter-Attack The animals, enraged, charge the men. They win the battle but lose the windmill. Boxer is wounded. Squealer declares it a victory, but the animals are left with ruins.

The Final Completion

The Windmill at Last The Finished Structure After years of labour, the windmill is completed. It is used for milling corn, not for electricity. It brings profit, but the animals see no benefit. A New Windmill Another windmill is being built, but the promised luxuries—electric lights, hot water, three-day week—are never mentioned. The dream has been replaced by yet more work. The Symbol of Betrayal The windmill, once a symbol of hope, now stands as a monument to the pigs' exploitation. The animals work harder than ever, but the windmill only enriches the pigs.

the first winter

three weeks after Snowball's expulsion

the second year

years later, near the end of the story