The animals fight for a just world guided by Animalism's ideals, but the power-hungry pigs distort these ideals to serve their own interests. The seven commandments of Animalism are gradually altered until only one cynical sentence remains: 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.'

The pigs use propaganda to maintain power by spreading lies about opponents, manipulating revolution history, and fostering fear and distrust among animals. Napoleon the pig embodies the ruthless dictator who controls the masses through targeted disinformation and information control.

Most animals on the farm are good-natured and naive. They are blinded by the pigs' slogans and realize too late that they've become victims of oppression again. Orwell shows how easily masses can be manipulated when they remain uncritical and apathetic.