Snowball's Rise and Fall

Traces Snowball's role as a revolutionary leader, his expulsion, and his transformation into a scapegoat.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Architect of Animalism

The Teacher Developing the System Snowball, along with Napoleon and Squealer, elaborates Major's teachings into Animalism. He is the most articulate and inventive. The Committees He organizes the farm into committees, teaches reading and writing, and reduces the Commandments to 'Four legs good, two legs bad.' The Hero of the Battle At the Battle of the Cowshed, Snowball leads the defense and is wounded. He is awarded Animal Hero, First Class.

The Windmill Plan and Rivalry

The Contest with Napoleon The Vision of Progress Snowball draws up plans for a windmill, promising a three-day week and electric power. He captivates the animals. The Opposition Napoleon opposes the plan, and the two pigs become bitter rivals. Napoleon's dogs eventually expel Snowball. The Flight Snowball is chased across the pasture and escapes through a hedge. He is never seen again on the farm.

The Demonization of Snowball

The Scapegoat The Blamed for Everything Snowball is blamed for the destruction of the windmill, stolen food, broken windows, and any misfortune. The animals come to believe he was a traitor from the start. The Rewriting of History Squealer claims Snowball was in league with Jones and that he fought for the humans at the Battle of the Cowshed. The animals' memories are altered. The Faded Memory By the end, Snowball is forgotten by most. His name is only used as a threat. The idealist becomes a phantom.

the months after Major's death

the first winter

after his expulsion, throughout the rest of the story