Explain the significance and meaning of the opening scene in Animal Farm.

The opening paragraphs in Animal Farm juxtapose two important points.  First, we see Mr. Jones.  He is drunk and goes to bed.  The impression that emerges is that he does not really care about the farm and the animals.  Hence, the animals have a real reason not to be happy with Mr. Jones in particular and humans in general. 

The second point that emerges is Old Major.  He is an old boar that recently had...

The opening paragraphs in Animal Farm juxtapose two important points.  First, we see Mr. Jones.  He is drunk and goes to bed.  The impression that emerges is that he does not really care about the farm and the animals.  Hence, the animals have a real reason not to be happy with Mr. Jones in particular and humans in general. 

The second point that emerges is Old Major.  He is an old boar that recently had a dream.  He gathers the animals and delivers a speech.  The context of his speech is about the misery of their lives.  According to him, what the animals need is change.  They need to face the fact that they labor their whole lives and eventually die a miserable death. He says:

"Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short."

Based on his convictions, Old Major calls the animals to seek freedom.  A rebellion is what is needed. In this way, he galvanizes the animals to do something about their lot.  He dies before the rebellion takes place, but he is the one who planted this seed in their minds. 

In view of these points, what we have is the background of why the animals revolted. This is significant, because it gives the context of the lives of the animals, validates the concerns of the animals, and shows the understandable beginnings of the rebellion.