Animal Farm Key Quotes and Analysis

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself.” (Chapter 1) (Old Major)

These are Old Major’s lines from the first chapter. Notice how this is also a critique of capitalism. One may replace “man” with “rich man,” and the quote would be an accurate critique of the capitalist means of production. This quote explains the animals’ motivation to rebel. With Orwell, however, this quote also sheds light on the problem of “too much power.” Once the pigs are in power, they do not hesitate to exploit the other animals; in fact, with more power, the pigs, much like humans, only grow more willing to exploit other animals.

“Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland/Beasts of every land and clime/ Hearken to my joyful tiding/Of the golden future time.” (Chapter 1)

This is a quote from the song “Beasts of England.” This song offers animals some hope that they will one day live a misery-free life, a life of respect in which they are not exploited daily for money. The song also becomes an anthem for the animals’ rebellion against Mr. Jones. The animals remember this song even after Napoleon’s takeover of the farm.

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” (Chapter 10)

This is probably the most significant quote from the novel. It highlights the condition of the animals both before the rebellion and after Napoleon’s takeover of the farm. It also replaces the original Seven Commandments, in effect becoming the lone, authoritative commandment. Finally, it highlights the pigs’ elevated social status. It also represents the terrible betrayal of the founding principles of Animal Farm, as envisioned by Old Major.

• “Besides, in those days they had been slaves and now they were free, and that made all the difference, as Squealer did not fail to point out.” (Chapter 9)
• “Four legs good, two legs bad.” (Chapter 3)
• “Four legs good, two legs better.“ (Chapter 10)
• “1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal.” (Chapter 2)