Animal Farm - Chapter 1

Animal Farm-Chapter 1

George Orwell

The setting is an imaginary farm in England and the genre is a animal fable.

Old Major is gathering all the animals. He tells them about a dream he had and Old Major senses himself dying. He urges the animals to do anything they can to take over the farm for the Mr. Jones. All the animals sing "Beasts of England" to inspire themselves.

1. "I do not think comrades that I shall be with you for many months longer, and before I die, I fell it is my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired."(2) This shows that Old Major knows he is going to die but he wants to help the animals in any way he can so he is passing down information so the animals can take down Mr. Jones.

2. "No animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery; That is the plain truth."(2) Old Major understands that everybody dies but he does not want the animals to work and just die right after.

A major conflict are the Animals vs. Man. "Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove man from the scene and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever."(2) Old Major thinks if they did not have humans on their farm then the animals could live better.

The tone is very negative because the animals are talking about attacking humans. "I have little more to say. I merely repeat, remember always your duty of enmity towards Man and all his ways. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy."(4) The animals do not want to share the farm with the humans but they want the humans to leave so they are starting a war.

"The theme of this chapter is fighting for what you believe in. Is it not crystal clear, then, comrades, that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings? Only get rid of Man, and the produce of