It is Old Major, the "prize Middle White boar," who first introduced the idea of revolution to the animals. In a secret meeting in the barn, Old Major summons the animals to hear him speak about a "strange dream" that he has recently had. When they arrive, however, Old Major tells them that he is approaching the end of his life and must impart some wisdom before he dies. In the rousing speech which follows, Old Major depicts humans as the source of all problems among animals and argues that man takes from the animals (their milk and eggs etc.,) without ever giving back:
"In return for your four confinements and all your labour in the fields, what have you ever had except your bare rations and a stall?"
Old Major finishes this speech by teaching the animals a song from his childhood. This song, Beasts of England, paint a rosy and idealised image of life without humans in which there are no "whips" and the animals are enriched by freedom and as much food as they can eat.
It is these ideas which ignite the animals with the first thoughts of revolution and which make them realise that Mr Jones is the real enemy who must be overcome.
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