Revolution is defined as "a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system." Animal Farm by George Orwell displays the process of a revolution and the outcomes that can result from it.Creating a revolution is not an easy task. Orwell shows that language is an integral element of the plot. The characters Napoleon and Squealer in the book use different rhetorical devices to "create, convey, limit, and obscure meaning.".
The book starts off with all of the animals at Mr. Jones Manor Farm assembled in a barn to hear Old Major, a pig, give a speech. In this speech, he describes a dream he had about a world where all the animals live free and are not controlled by their masters, humans. Everyone is moved by his speech, but unfortunately they find their leader, Old Major, dead three days after. Shortly after his death, the revolution occurs. It begins when Jones forgets to feed the animals. The revolution is led by two pigs named Snowball and Napoleon. The animals win and Jones is eventually defeated and chased off the farm with his men. Manor Farm is now renamed to Animal Farm and the Seven Commandments are painted on the barn wall. So far, the rebellion seems to be a success. The animals do their work and meet every Sunday to debate farm policy. The smartest of all the animals are the pigs. Napoleon is hungry for power and clearly wants to control the whole farm. He steals the cows' milk and a number of apples to feed himself and the other pigs. He enlists Squealer, a pig to persuade other animals that the pigs are always virtuous and correct in their decisions. Jones eventually attempts to recapture the farm with his men. Thanks to the tactics of Snowball, the animals defeat Jones once again. Seasons change and winter arrives. Some animals run off the farm, such as Mollie. Snowball starts preparing plans for a windmill, which will provide electricity and give the animals more leisure time.
