Animal Farm

1. What was the dream that Major talks about in the first chapter, and how do the other
animals implement it?
Old Major dreams of a world where animals are no longer subjugated by humans. ​When
Old Major tells the other farm animals about his dream, he paints a picture of a world
without bits, bridles, or whips, one where animals are free to enjoy the fruits of their
labors without the interference of human overlords. Old Major believes that all animals
are equal, and that they all should be allowed to enjoy lives of leisure. The path to this
dream is wholesale rebellion against humanity. He has realized that the animals
outnumber the humans on the farm, and that they can force Mister Jones out if they
work together. Unfortunately, Old Major never explains how they will build their perfect
society after the rebellion. His dream is idealistic and improbable, but the other animals
do not care. They trust Old Major, and they believe in his vision for a better future.
The animals do not anticipate how difficult it will be to put Old Major's ideas into
practice. They successfully remove their old master from the farm, but they have no
idea how to create an animal-run society built on equality and trust. Since their plans
are incomplete, they are left vulnerable to manipulation by the pigs and the humans
living in the surrounding farms.

2. Describe the battle of Animal Farm. What was Snowball’s role in this battle?
Old Major dies in his sleep, and for three months the animals make secret preparations
to carry out the old pig’s dying wish of wresting control of the farm from Mr. Jones. The
work of teaching and organizing falls to the pigs, the cleverest of the animals, and
especially to two pigs named Napoleon and Snowball. Together with a silver-tongued
pig named Squealer, they formulate the principles of a philosophy called Animalism, the
fundamentals of which they spread among the other animals. The animals call one
another “Comrade” and take their quandaries to the pigs, who answer their questions
about the impending Rebellion. At first, many of the animals find the principles of
Animalism difficult to understand; they have grown up believing that Mr. Jones is their
proper master. Mollie, a vain carriage horse, expresses particular concern over whether
she will be able to continue to enjoy the little luxuries like eating sugar and wearing
ribbons in the new utopia. Snowball sternly reminds her that ribbons symbolize slavery
 and that, in the animals’ utopia, they would have to be abolished. Mollie halfheartedly
agrees.
The pigs’ most troublesome opponent proves to be Moses, the raven, who flies about
spreading tales of a place called Sugarcandy Mountain, where animals go when they
die—a place of great pleasure and plenty, where sugar grows on the hedges. Even
though many of the animals despise the talkative and idle Moses, they nevertheless find
great appeal in the idea of Sugarcandy Mountain. The pigs work very hard to convince
the other animals of the falsehood of Moses’s teachings. Thanks to the help of the
slow-witted but loyal cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, the pigs eventually manage to
prime the animals for revolution.
The Rebellion occurs much earlier than anyone expected and comes off with shocking
ease. Mr. Jones has been driven to drink after losing money in a lawsuit, and he has let
his men become lazy, dishonest, and neglectful. One day, Mr. Jones goes on a drinking
binge and forgets to feed the animals. Unable to bear their hunger, the cows break into
the store shed and the animals begin to eat. Mr. Jones and his men discover the
transgression and begin to whip the cows. Spurred to anger, the animals turn on the
men, attack them, and easily chase them from the farm. Astonished by their success,
the animals hurry to destroy the last remaining evidence of their subservience: chains,
bits, halters, whips, and other implements stored in the farm buildings. After
obliterating all signs of Mr. Jones, the animals enjoy a double ration of corn and sing
“Beasts of England” seven times through, until it is time to sleep. In the morning, they
admire the farm from a high knoll before exploring the farmhouse, where they stare in
stunned silence at the unbelievable luxuries within. Mollie tries to stay inside, where she
can help herself to ribbons and gaze at herself in the mirror, but the rest of the animals
reprimand her sharply for her foolishness. The group agrees to preserve the farmhouse
as a museum, with the stipulation that no animal may ever live in it.
Snowball is the main leader of the animals' military defense in the Battle of the
Cowshed. This happens in Chapter 4. In this chapter, we see that Snowball has learned a
lot about leading military operations. He apparently learned all of this from reading
some old books about Julius Caesar's military campaigns.

3. In what ways did Snowball and Napoleon differ in their leadership of the animal farm?
What is your opinion on this difference?
Snowball​ is a planner and he keeps no secrets. He designs and implements plans that fit
with his political views. Some of these plans work and some of them do not work, but all
are fully on display and in the open.
For instance, the "Battle of the Cowshed" is an example of one of Snowball's
strategies/plans that worked to near perfection. The animals successfully drove off the
human attack and defended ​Animal Farm​.
 Snowball's other plans don't work as well, such as his many committees and his windmill
plan. Though Snowball does not have a chance to see through his plan for building the
windmill, there is evidence to suggest that it would have been impossible for the
windmill to achieve all the many things that Snowball hoped it would.
When the windmill was finally built, it did not produce electricity, but instead ground
corn.
Snowball's enthusiasm is one of his central traits, despite the occasional failure of his
plans, and it is this enthusiasm that distinguishes Snowball from ​Napoleon​.
Napoleon has no plans for the farm with the exception of plans to gain increasing levels
of power and privilege for himself. Napoleon's cynicism, conniving, and secrecy are
perhaps most clearly exemplified in the act of chasing Snowball off the farm.
The dogs were kept as one of Napoleon's secrets and are brought out in a surprise
attack meant only to secure Napoleon's place as leader. There is nothing at all good for
the other animals in the act of Snowball being chased away.
...Napoleon seems to embody the idea that with power comes corruption.
Snowball's ideas, however far fetched, were always intended to perpetuate his political
ideals and to better the lives of the animals on the farm. Napoleon, on the contrary, has
ideas only to serve himself. He is dishonest and secretive where Snowball was neither of
these.

4. What were the circumstances that led to the excommunication of Snowball? How did
you react to this development in the novel?
Snowball​ was ​Napoleon​'s chief rival in the book ​Animal Farm​. During the Battle of the
Cowshed, Snowball leads the way while Napoleon is hiding. Snowball also wants to use a
windmill to make the animals' lives easier. Snowball actually believes the tenets of
Animalism, while Napoleon wants to use the revolution for his own personal gain. At the
height of his power, Snowball is chased from the farm by Napoleon's dogs. Snowball is
accused of being a traitor and being an ally of the farmers. Whenever things are going
poorly on the farm, Napoleon always blames Snowball in an attempt to shift blame
away from himself. Napoleon uses the prospect of Snowball coming back with an army
of humans to scare the animals from what should be their main concern—Napoleon and
his inner circle reaping the benefits of the revolution while the rest of the animals live
horrible lives. In time, Napoleon re-imagines history and places himself at the heart of
the revolution and portrays Snowball as a coward and a human sympathizer. In this
respect, Snowball is more valuable to Napoleon outside the farm, because he can
always use the false memory of Snowball to scare the animals into submission.

5. Why did the original seven commandments lose their relevance? What were the
changes made? Why were these changes made?
The Seven Commandments are the basic principles of animalism worked out by the pigs
and described originally as "unalterable laws" by which the animals were to live. The
Seven Commandments were written on the barn wall for all animals to see and read if
they could. The original Commandments are:

1. Whatever goes on two legs is an enemy.

2. Whatever goes on 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.

Almost immediately after the Commandments are written the cows have to be milked.
The milk they produce is taken by the pigs exclusively so the seventh Commandment
seems to be undermined from the very beginning. When the pigs also start claiming the
windfall apples, Squealer explains that they are not taking them as privilege but because
science has shown that milk and apples are necessary for the pigs' "brain work". This at
least satisfies the animals that they are equal to the pigs but it does not fool the reader.
The first two Commandments are subtly broken in the first years of Animal Farm but
there is no attempt to rewrite them. Snowball, the hero of the Battle of the Cowshed,
becomes an enemy of the farm after his expulsion by Napoleon, while the resumption of
trade via Mr Whymper causes some discussion but, as Squealer points out, trade was
not banned in writing and Mr Whymper is not treated as a friend.

The first alteration to the Commandments comes after the pigs move back into the
farmhouse. The ban on sleeping in beds is changed in Napoleon's favour by the addition
of the words "with sheets". At this point in the history of the farm the pigs do not quite
have enough power to do what they like and Squealer is forced to change the
Commandments to fit new circumstances. But sleeping in beds is a minor matter
compared to murder, and the next alteration to the Commandments is far more
shocking. After the failures of the winter and the collapse of the first windmill, the pigs
use Snowball as scapegoat. This leads to the 'show trials' in which animals 'confess' to
 crimes inspired by Snowball. The horrific executions that follow are in direct
contradiction of the original sixth Commandment but when this is checked the words
"without cause" have been added.
Napoleon's selfish behaviour is the cause of the alteration to the fifth Commandment.
When he and the other pigs get drunk, Napoleon's hangover is a cause for alarm but all
that eventually happens is that the words "to excess" are added to the Commandment.
It is at this point that Squealer's part in the changes to the Commandments is revealed
to the reader as he falls off the ladder he was using to reach the barn wall. After this
incident, more and more of the farm's resources are diverted to the provision of alcohol
for the pigs. The sale of Boxer's body to the knackers results in the delivery of a crate of
fine food and alcohol.

No minor alteration is ever made to the third Commandment about wearing clothes.
This is because by the time the pigs adopt clothes they are so powerful, and the other
animals are so fearful, that it is unnecessary. Instead, all pretence of "unalterable laws"
is abandoned and the Commandments are replaced by the meaningless slogan
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

Orwell's use of the Seven Commandments provides a kind of checklist of betrayal. The
original Commandments express the ideals of animalism and the hopes for a new life by
the animals on the farm. It is significant that the betrayal of these ideals begins almost
immediately, as this is an important part of Orwell's message about revolutions - that all
power corrupts. The Commandments make it easy for the
reader to trace the progress of Napoleon and the other pigs' corruption and, as each
one is broken, the original ideals are brought to mind.
The Seven Commandments are a successful way of tracing the decline of the rebellion
because they show how the pigs alter the rules on the farm to suit themselves. The
other animals trust in writing and it is the pigs' control of writing that gives them a great
deal of their power. The alterations to the Commandments are sometimes funny, like
the one about alcohol, and sometimes shocking, like the one about killing. In the end,
the slogan "All animals are equal" sums up the sad decline of the fortunes of the
idealistic animals of the farm.

6. Why were the “spontaneous weekly demonstrations” held on Animal Farm? What was
their significance?
Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a
Spontaneous Demonstration, the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and
triumphs of Animal Farm. At the appointed time the animals would leave their work and
march round the precincts of the farm in military formation, with the pigs leading, then
 the horses, then the cows, then the sheep, and then the poultry. The dogs flanked the
procession and at the head of all marched Napoleon’s black cockerel. Boxer and Clover
always carried between them a green banner marked with the hoof and the horn and
the caption, “Long live Comrade Napoleon!” Afterwards there were recitations of
poems composed in Napoleon’s honour, and a speech by Squealer giving particulars of
the latest increases in the production of foodstuffs, and on occasion a shot was fired
from the gun. The sheep were the greatest devotees of the Spontaneous
Demonstration, and if anyone complained (as a few animals sometimes did, when no
pigs or dogs were near) that they wasted time and meant a lot of standing about in the
cold, the sheep were sure to silence him with a tremendous bleating of “Four legs good,
two legs bad!” But by and large the animals enjoyed these celebrations. They found it
comforting to be reminded that, after all, they were truly their own masters and that
the work they did was for their own benefit. So that, what with the songs, the
processions, Squealer’s lists of figures, the thunder of the gun, the crowing of the
cockerel, and the fluttering of the flag, they were able to forget that their bellies were
empty, at least part of the time.

7. Do you think that Orwell has given a pessimistic view of the world in ​Animal Farm? ​Give
reasons for your answer.

The ending of Animal Farm is extremely pessimistic. The animals have traded a more
lenient owner jones) for a brutal dictator (NaPoleon) and their lives are harder than ever
before. All the promises of a brighter future have been betrayed. They work as hard or
harder for Napoleon than they did for Jones,and the pigs have become surrogate
humans. The pigs now control the animals, and have mostly convinced them that they
are being oppressed for their own good.

“They were generally hungry,they slept on straw, they drank from the pool,they
laboured in the fields;in winter they were troubled by the cold, and in summer by the
flies.
[".]
The creatures outside looked from pig to man,and from man to pig,and from pig to man
again;but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

The implication is that the pigs are now treated as equals by the humans,and since they
have a unique insight into the mindset of other animals,they are able to exploit much
more work for greater personal profit. Jones ran the farm normally,as a subsistence
 facility;the pigs run it as a slave plantation,where all the effort is done by the animals
and all the benefits go to the pigs. The book does not continue past
this point;both film versions showed the eventual collapse of the farm as its policies
prove unsustainable.

8. In what way is the ending of the novel ironical? Support your answer with examples
from the text.
Irony is when something happens that is unexpected. Situational irony is when an event
is unexpected. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something the
character's do not. Verbal irony is when .a phrase contradicts itself,or when the truth
of an idea seems to be the opposite of what is being said.

An example of verbal irony in Animal Farm is the last commandment.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are equal than others." (ch 10)

This statement is ironic because the concept of all are equal and "more equal" is really
contradictory and does not make sense.

An example of situational irony is when NaPoleon gets drunk.

By the evening,however, Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better,and the following

morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery. By the
evening of that day Napoleon was back at work,and on the next day it was learned that
he had instructed Whymper to purchase in Willingdon some booklets on brewing and
distilling. (ch 8)

At the beginning,we expect everything to go harmoniously. After all,the animals

overthrew the evil humans. Unfortunately,things aren't peaceful for long. When
Napoleon gets drunk,this is situational irony because the catalyst for the revolution was
Jones being a drunkard and neglecting the farm.

An example of dramatic irony is when the commandments are changed.

[Had] not these been among the earliest resolutions passed at that first triumphant
Meeting after Jones was expelled? All the animals remembered passing such
resolutions: or at least they thought that they remembered it .(ch 6)
 As each commandment is changed,the animals think they remember it the way it was
before but they aren't sure. The reader knows that the pigs are slowly taking over the
farm and instituting a totalitarian regime,but the animals don't.

9. How is ​Animal Farm​ a satire of Stalinism or generally of totalitarianism?

A satire is a work of literature which uses humor,irony and exaggeration to criticize
people,places or events. As such,Animal Farm is Orwell's attempt at satirizing the
Russian Revolution of 1917 in which the Bolsheviks came to power and the totalitarian
rule of Joseph Stalin which began in 1924. This is made clear from Chapter Two when
the idealistic animals,who represent the Bolsheviks,overthrow their human master,
Mr.Jones,and take control of the farm for themselves.

Over time,one of the pigs,NaPoleon,rises to become the leading figure on the farm. Like
Joseph Stalin,Napoleon is single-minded,ambitious and prepared to use violence to
achieve his aims. Napoleon's conflict with Snowball in Chapter Five,for example,mirrors
the conflict between Joseph Stalin and another Bolshevik leader, Leon Trotsky,which
resulted in the latter's expulsion from the Soviet Union.

By writing Animal Farm as a satire,Orwell makes clear his views on the events in Russia
and on the leadership of Joseph Stalin. Specifically,he argues that Stalinism did not
improve the lives of the people of Russia,just like it did not improve the lives of the
animals on the farm. In fact,Napoleon was even more cruel than Mr.Jones,
just as Stalin was far worse than any of his political predecessors.

10. What is the role of religion in ​Animal Farm​? Would you say that the farm animals have a kind of
religion?
Another theme of Orwell's novel that also strikes a satiric note is the idea of religion
being the "opium of the people" (as Karl Marx famously wrote). ​Moses​ the raven's talk
of Sugarcandy Mountain originally annoys many of the animals, since Moses, known as a
"teller of tales," seems an unreliable source. At this point, the animals are still hopeful
for a better future and therefore dismiss Moses' stories of a paradise elsewhere. As
their lives worsen, however, the animals begin to believe him, because "Their lives now,
they reasoned, were hungry and laborious; Was it not right and just that a better world
should exist somewhere else?" Here, Orwell mocks the futile dreaming of a better place
that clearly does not exist. The pigs allow Moses to stay on the farm — and even
encourage his presence by rewarding him with beer — because they know that his
stories of Sugarcandy Mountain will keep the animals docile: As long as there is some
 better world somewhere — even after death — the animals will trudge through this
one. Thus Orwell implies that religious devotion — viewed by many as a noble character
trait — can actually distort the ways in which one thinks of his or her life on earth.

11. Compare the lives of the animals under Jones and, then, under Napoleon. In what ways has
Napoleon proven himself a similar tyrant?
To answer this question, let us look first at what life was like for the animals under Mr.
Jones. According to Old Major's speech in Chapter One, the animals were never allowed
to enjoy their own produce, they worked every day, were subjected to violence, and
sent to slaughter when they were no longer useful.
Comparing this to life under Napoleon we see very few differences. Napoleon uses his
guard dogs, for example, to inflict even bloodier levels of violence. Moreover, an animal
is not allowed enjoy a retirement, as we see when Boxer is sent off to a glue
manufacturer. Similarly, the animals are not allowed to enjoy their produce, as
shown by Napoleon's unfair distribution of the food rations.
Like Mr. Jones, then, Napoleon uses similar methods to promote inequality on the farm
and to maintain his absolute power. Through his control of food and his use of violence,
alongside the threat of being sent to the "knackers," Napoleon has become ever more
tyrannical than his human predecessor.

12. Discuss the major themes of the novel - Corruption, Exploitation, Deception, Idealism, Apathy
Corruption
The pigs who take over leadership of Animal Farm after the rebellion depart from the
ideals of Animalism, serving their own interests. The inequalities begin on a small
scale—a pail of milk here, a bushel of apples there. As the pigs gain more wealth and
power over time, they change the rules of Animalism to suit their own desires and to
maintain their control of the farm, eventually turning it into a totalitarian society.

Exploitation
Understanding that literacy offers power, the pigs make sure that none of the animals
except their own young learn how to read. As the pigs take advantage of their position,
using their superior education and, later, the physical threat of the dogs, the
overworked and uneducated other animals find themselves working harder for fewer
and fewer benefits. Their efforts benefit the pigs more than themselves.

Deception
To maintain their position of power over the other animals, ​Napoleon​ and the other pigs
create elaborate lies to cover their actions. ​Squealer​ uses propaganda to convince the
animals they are doing well when, in fact, their lives get worse as the months and years
 pass. The pigs secretly change the Seven Commandments and other resolutions from
the rebellion, convincing the animals that their own memories are faulty. Using
Snowball​ as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong hides the fact that others are
really responsible.

Idealism
The animals embrace the ideals of Animalism and the equality and sharing this political
philosophy promises them. They believe in the best intentions of one another, even as
the practice of Animalism moves away from its noble concept of free, equal animals
working together and sharing the plentiful fruits of their labor. Throughout the story the
animals remind themselves of the beliefs that guided their revolution by singing "Beasts
of England," which describes their ideal world.

Apathy
Two kinds of apathy exist on the farm; both enable the pigs to assume absolute power.
The apathy shown by characters such as ​Benjamin​ the donkey stems from an ability to
see and understand what is happening disabled by a belief that action of any kind will
not create change and is, therefore, not worthwhile. Most of the animals fall victim to a
second kind of apathy, born of unquestioning trust in the pigs' leadership, which leads
to a lack of critical thought that makes them susceptible to manipulation and deception.

13. Discuss the symbols in the novel - Names, Milk and Apples, Windmill, Old Major's Skull, Jones's
Rifle, the Windmill.
Names
Many of the animals' names are highly symbolic, suggestive of their characters or roles.
The historical ​Napoleon​ was the all-powerful emperor of France. A major, as in ​Old
Major​, is a high military rank held by an army officer. Jones is one of the most common
names in English, showing that the farmer represents virtually any human. A snowball,
associated with winter fun, has connotations of harmlessness and fragility. A boxer is a
powerful fighter. A squealer has negative associations with snitches who tell or "squeal"
on people; it is also someone who makes a terrible noise of pain. Finally, Moses is the
Biblical prophet who receives the Ten Commandments from God.

Milk and Apples

The milk and apples the pigs claim for themselves shortly after the rebellion represent
riches and wealth, to which the pigs feel a special sense of entitlement. The claim on
these extra foodstuffs is the first of many special privileges the pigs will claim at the
other animals' expense.
 Windmill
When ​Snowball​ introduces the plan for the windmill, it represents the hope of a better
standard of living for all animals, who will benefit from the electricity the windmill will
generate. As time rolls on and the windmill gets destroyed and rebuilt, it comes to
represent the constant hard labor the animals do for very little benefit. Its destruction is
the loss of their hope.

Old Major's Skull

After ​Napoleon​ assumes total control of the farm, he exhumes ​Old Major​'s skull and
puts it on display for the animals to salute each week. This represents an attempt to
acknowledge both the past and the roots of Animalism, giving the pigs' regime
authenticity. When the ideals of the rebellion no longer serve the pigs' purposes, the
skull is reburied, and the ritual of saluting it is denounced as strange, representing the
pigs' abandonment of core principles and history.

Jones's Rifle
Left behind as ​Mr. Jones​ and his men retreat from the Battle of the Cowshed, the rifle is
a symbol of the animals' victory over their human masters and is fired in celebration of
the anniversaries of their greatest victories, the rebellion and the Battles of the
Cowshed and the ​Windmill​.

14. How does Orwell explore the problem of rhetoric in ​Animal Farm​? Paying particular attention to
the character of Squealer, how is language used as an instrument of social control? How do the
pigs rewrite history?
Squealer is Napoleon's loyal propagandist-in-chief. It's his job to give the other animals
the official party line. When he does so, he uses a variety of rhetorical strategies
designed to convince everyone that Napoleon is always right and that there are sound
ideological reasons behind his every command.
One such strategy is pathos, which is an appeal to the emotions:
I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has
made in taking this extra labour upon himself. Do not imagine, comrades, that
leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility.
Poor Napoleon! It must be so hard for him, as dictator, with all that extra responsibility.
What Squealer is doing here is trying to make the animals feel guilty about complaining
and trying to convince them that Napoleon is suffering with them every step of the way.
Then there's ethos, an appeal to the speaker's credibility:
Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has
been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the
well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organization
 of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for
YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples.
Once again, Squealer paints the entirely false picture that the pigs are motivated by
nothing more than the goodness of their hearts. Squealer, like the expert propagandist
he is, cynically makes selfish behavior seem like noble sacrifice.
Squealer also resorts to logos, an appeal to reason, to make his propaganda seem more
credible. Here, he's trying to explain to the animals why so many things seem to be
going so terribly wrong on the farm:
We had thought that Snowball's rebellion was caused simply by his vanity and ambition.
But we were wrong, comrades. Do you know what the real reason was? Snowball was in
league with Jones from the very start! He
was Jones's secret agent all the time. It has all been proved by documents which he left
behind him and which we have only just discovered. To my mind this explains a great
deal, comrades.
That's right, comrades. It's all Snowball's fault. All of the problems that have beset the
farm since Napoleon took over can be attributed to the malignant influence of the
wicked traitor, Snowball, working in cahoots with the hated human oppressor. Here as
elsewhere, Squealer's argument is based on a complete fabrication, but, as the animals
don't know any better, his ludicrous conspiracy theory has just enough credibility to
sound vaguely plausible.

15. What are the different roles that the animals play in the novel ​Animal Farm?
Boxer and Clover, take the role of dragging the cutter or the horse-rake across the field.
Boxer works so hard that he has the cockerel wake him earlier than the others.
The ducks and hens also contribute to the harvest, carrying small amounts of hay in
their beaks. As for the corn, they collect five bushels by gathering up the stray grains on
the ground.
Benjamin works hard too but is noted as being much slower than the others. Mollie is
more problematic, often showing up late for work. The cats do not tend to contribute
much and often disappear until meal-times.
What you'll notice about the harvest is that the pigs don't do any actual work. They act
as the directors and the supervisors, leaving all of the real work to the other animals.
They are described as following Boxer as he pushed and pulled, acting in a manner
similar to human farmers.
This is, therefore, the beginning of the pigs' ascent to power in which they become the
new masters of the farm, leaving the physical work to the other animals.

16. How does the novel ​Animal Farm r​ eflect the concept of utopia and the changing ideas of the
ideal?
 Utopia infers a perfect existence but in an imaginary place such as envisioned by Sir
Thomas More in 1516. In real life "utopia " is not achievable as no two people's ideal is
ever exactly the same. The common result, as in Animal Farm when "everyone is
created equal, but some are more equal than others," is a state of totalitarianism where
repression is the order of the day and oppression results, creating a dystopia.
What appears to be approaching utopia in Animal Farm falls far short of it. The animals
are led to believe that life without the humans is better and are proud to sing "Beasts of
England."; that having more food is better and that the principles of Animalism will
protect them from all evil. The animals are simple creatures, easily manipulated and
therefore perfect prey for unscrupulous leaders to take advantage for their own gain.
Even before Old Major's speech that so inspires the animals the reader is forewarned
and, although Boxer will not be disposed of by the humans when he is no longer useful,
he will still be dispatched under the most suspicious circumstances at the hands of the
pigs.
Orwell was disillusioned by the outcome of the Russian Revolution and how the ordinary
people were completely deceived. He maintained that average citizens could not expect
protection from tyranny unless they refused
to blindly follow the crowd (like the sheep).
Leadership under Snowball may have been quite different has the animals supported
him but Napoleon was able to dismiss his adversary. As life becomes harder for the
animals they are reminded that "in those days they had been slaves and now they were
free, and that made all the difference." This was basically what kept them going, blind
faith.
In other words, it doesn't seem to matter whether its hundreds of years ago, decades
ago, or in the present day, the "bigger picture" is the only consideration and the daily
hardships and struggles of the masses become insignificant.

17. Explain the use of motifs like Songs and Chants, Religion and Ritual
Songs and Chants
The songs and chants the animals sing throughout Animal Farm function as propaganda,
or "biased information used to promote a particular cause": Major's "Beasts of
England," Minimus's ode to ​Napoleon​ and his revised anthem, and the sheep's chants.
By having the animals chant the same words in unison, the pigs maintain social control
by stripping the animals of their individuality and keeping them focused on the political
agenda.

Religion and Ritual

As the pigs work to consolidate power, they institute rituals such as awards, parades,
and songs for the purpose of creating loyalty to the state. As the rituals grow in number,
 the working animals become more and more vulnerable and reliant on the state to
define their cultural values.

18. Explain how the human characters contribute to the novel's themes and issues.

The humans serve two roles, in my mind, the first being the object of the animals' desire
for freedom and to benefit from their own work. As Old Major said, the animals toil and
give up the best years of their life and do not receive the benefits of this work. So the
humans are the enemy and serve that role well as the animals can drive them off the
farm and gain their "freedom."
By the end of the book, the pigs and the humans have become so similar it is difficult to
tell them apart. In this way, they also serve as the oppressors again but also to show
that the pigs have completely changed and that Napoleon's revolutionary fervor was
just a front to cover his desire to obtain the same power and privilege that the humans
had in the beginning of the book​.

19. Examine Orwell's tone when describing the way the animals think of themselves under
Napoleon's rule.

20. How does Orwell's tone in ​Animal Farm ​add to the novel's humor?

Orwell generally assumes a mocking or ironic tone in his descriptions of how the animals
feel about themselves during Napoleon's rule. Some of the descriptions are somewhat
humorous in that they target the general naivety and inability of the animals to
completely comprehend exactly what is happening to them. What makes this, at times,
particularly laughable is the fact that the character, Benjamin the donkey, knows exactly
what is going on but because of his apathy and stubborn refusal to get involved, the
charade continues and the animals remain none the wiser.
After Napoleon has expelled Snowball he assumes leadership of the farm and
throughout this period, the animals present a variety of perceptions about themselves,
depending on a particular situation or circumstance. From the outset Napoleon assumes
a dictatorial position. He begins by banishing all meetings and decide that the pigs will
henceforth make all the decisions and the animals will have to abide by these
instructions.
In chapter six we learn that the animals are working very hard and they have a general
feeling of well-being.
But they were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice, well aware that
everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who
would come after them, and not for a pack of idle, thieving human beings.
The irony here is pertinently clear. The animals, in believing that they are doing it all for
themselves, are unaware that they, just as much as they did in Jones' time, are not
really working for themselves but for the pigs, who do no physical labour but benefit the
most and live lives of privilege. This mistaken belief is further emphasized later in the
chapter:

If they had no more food than they had had in Jones's day, at least they did not have
less. The advantage of only having to feed themselves, and not having to support five
extravagant human beings as well, was so great that it would have taken a lot of failures
to outweigh it.
It is pitiful that they do not realize that the pigs consume the most and literally enjoy the
cream of the crop whilst they have to starve.
In general, Napoleon's manipulation and propaganda make the animals doubt
themselves. They are never quite sure of what they do and do not know, which makes
them feel insecure and uncertain. Their poor intelligence adds to the problem. As such,
they tend to believe whatever they are told by both Napoleon and especially by
Squealer.
He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had
never been passed, or even suggested. It was pure imagination, probably traceable in
the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball. A few animals still felt faintly doubtful, but
Squealer asked them shrewdly, "Are you certain that this is not something that you have
dreamed, comrades? Have you any record of such a resolution? Is it written down
anywhere?" And since it was certainly true that nothing of the kind existed in writing,
the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken​.
The animals also felt quite proud of themselves at times, especially when they
completed the windmill and when they saw Napoleon giving instructions to a human.
We read in chapter six:
Nevertheless, the sight of Napoleon, on all fours, delivering orders to Whymper, who
stood on two legs, roused their pride...
By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. They had had a hard year, and after
the sale of part of the hay and corn, the stores of food for the winter were none too
plentiful, but the windmill compensated for everything.
Probably the most dutiful and dedicated animals on the farm, of those who did not
receive privileges, were Clover and Boxer. Boxer believed that every problem could be
solved if he should work harder and he adopted the maxim, 'I will work harder!' The
other animals felt cold and hungry. Only Boxer and Clover never lost heart, we are told
in chapter seven. Even after the execution of many animals during Napoleon's purge,
Boxer remained positive:
 "I do not understand it. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our
farm. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. The solution, as I see it, is to work
harder. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings."
It is unfortunate that such a powerful animal as he would remain so loyally obedient.
Orwell essentially mocks him for his dumb allegiance to the greedy pigs. What makes
Boxer's slavish belief even more difficult to swallow is the fact that he adopts another
maxim that, 'Napoleon is always right.' Surely, one would ask, in spite of the fact that he
is not bright, Boxer should have realized at some point that they were being abused?
But he never does, not even after Napoleon's dogs attack him for having said something
inappropriate.

It is unfortunate that such a powerful animal as he would remain so loyally obedient.

Orwell essentially mocks him for his dumb allegiance to the greedy pigs. What makes
Boxer's slavish belief even more difficult to swallow is the fact that he adopts another
maxim that, 'Napoleon is always right.' Surely, one would ask, in spite of the fact that he
is not bright, Boxer should have realized at some point that they were being abused?
But he never does, not even after Napoleon's dogs attack him for having said something
inappropriate.
After Napoleon's bloody and wholesale execution of the animals who confessed to a
variety of acts of betrayal, the animals were miserable and frightened. They felt
vulnerable and exposed, as we read in chapter 7:
When it was all over, the remaining animals, except for the pigs and dogs, crept away in
a body. They were shaken and miserable.
Overall, the animals felt satisfied, even during Napoleon's tyranny, because they
emphatically believed that they were masters of their own destinies. Instead of working
for, and being abused by humans, they were now free and were working for themselves.
Their naivety, gullibility, and stupidity are fully exploited by the avaricious pigs who
enjoy lives of luxury and privilege as much as the humans did.
In the end, the animals cannot distinguish the pigs from the humans. The irony is that
they, the general animal public on the farm, not only allowed this to happen but
actually assisted '- - in -1 - the pigs IH making it happen.

21. A​ nimal Farm is the study of a dream betrayed. It begins with hope for the animals and ends
with their miserable lives getting even worse. To what extent do you agree with these
statements?

Yes, I do agree that Animal Farm is a story about betrayal. There are parts of story
where we can find betrayal. Even though the whole story is not about betrayal, the
proportion of theme betrayal is huge.
 First, there was a betrayal by Napoleon against the animals in the farm. Napoleon
betrayed the animals to ​gain power​ and be a leader of the animals. When he got the
power to control he liked it and wanted more. The power and being a leader have made
Napoleon to betray the animals.
Snowball made rules for the animal farm. He made 7 rules.
“ 1. Whatever goes on two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes on 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.”
After Napoleon gaining power, he changed some of those rules to benefit him. For
example, he included ‘to excess’ at the end of rule number 5. Also, he replaced the rule
number 6 to “No animals shall kill any other animal without cause”. However, Napoleon
drinks alcohol with farmer and talks to him too. He also walks on two legs instead of
four. Which is betraying the rules and promises that was made between the animals in
the farm.
The most obvious betrayal is death of Boxer. When Boxer was sick and badly injured, he
is picked up in a van that said ‘Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler,
Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. Kennels Supplied’ on it. However Boxer had
no strength to escape. So he was taken away. Squealer tells animals that they
misunderstood the situation and lies to them that Boxer is taken away to be cared with
medication. However, he is actually gone to benefit Napoleon. Because Boxer is the
strongest animal in the farm and Napoleon can get money from selling Boxer’s body to
Slaughterer, Napoleon is betraying Boxer and all the animals who loved Boxer to gain
more power and money. Squealer also tells to the animals that Boxer said “Forward,
comrades! Forward in the name of the Rebellion. Long live Animal Farm! Long live
Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right.” Before dying. This is one of Napoleon’
plan to inspire the animals using Boxer’s death to make animals work harder.
There are many other scenes that show betrayal. Most of the betrayals in the book are
occurred by Napoleon to the animals in the farm. Napoleon’s betrayal was caused by his
greed wanting to earn money and power. Therefore, I agree that Animal Farm basically
is story about betrayal.

22. The corrupting effect of power is one of the central themes of ​Animal Farm​. Support your
answer with suitable examples from the text
 The corrupting effect of power is one of the central themes of Animal Farm. At the
beginning of the book, Old Major describes the oppression that the animals experience,
and predicts that the day will come when they overthrow their human masters and
build an equitable society. When the animals of Manor Farm drive off Jones, it appears
that day has come. But we quickly see that the pigs, by virtue of their leadership of the
revolution, quickly become corrupted by power. Napoleon continues to pay lip service
to the principles of the revolution through most of the book, but his actions are far
removed from the principles of Animalism. He and the other pigs begin to claim
privileges for themselves, and eventually he uses the dogs to purge those who question
his authority. Snowball is driven from the farm for dissent, and gradually, the pigs
become more like the humans they fought to overthrow. The corruption of the
principles of the revolution is illustrated by the changing Seven Commandments, which
are perverted over the course of the book to the point where, at the end, they read only
"ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS." The
book's final passage, when some of the animals witness the pigs arguing and playing
cards with Pilkington and the other humans in the farmhouse, makes the corruption of
power most clear:
Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what
had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man,
and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say
which was which.

23. How does ignorance add or lead to the social and political oppression in George Orwell's novel
Animal Farm​?

Ignorance is a major theme in Orwell's Animal Farm. The pigs are the only animals who
are able to read and write, which puts them in a position of power, which they use
throughout the book to manipulate the rest of the animals on the farm.
A great example of this is the Seven Commandments, which are created right after
Jones is overthrown, but are systematically changed as the pigs gain more control and
become more like humans.

The original commandments read: "1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2.
Whatever goes upon four legs 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."
All of these commandments are broken, chapter by chapter, by the pigs. They are able
to get away with changing and eliminating the original commandments because they
are the only animals who can read and write. Some animals, especially Clover, seem to
 have vague instances where they remember the original commandments, but their lack
of literacy allows them no evidence to stake their claims in.
In Chapter VI for example, it reads:
"It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up
their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against
this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them
that this was not the case."
There are numerous other examples of moments like this throughout the text,
especially in the final few chapters.
Orwell's message is a warning that a society needs to arm itself with knowledge in order
to protect itself from its own government. People who are ignorant are very likely to
become oppressed because they have no way of protecting or fighting for their own
rights​.

24. Compare and contrast Napoleon and Snowball and the strategies they use in the power struggle.

Snowball and Napoleon, arguably the most intelligent animals on the farm (other than,
perhaps, the mule) are in a "battle" to control the direction that Animal Farm will take.
Both of them choose different tactics during the fight, one which Napoleon will
ultimately win.
Snowball seems to have a genuine interest in improving the lot of the animals on the
farm. He is idealistic and believes in the "commandments." His main goals are to spread
the revolution (as seen in his suggestion to send out more birds to visit other farms) and
to improve conditions on Animal Farm. In a political sense, he is trying to win the hearts
of the the animals and thereby their loyalty. He can do this if he is able to think of
"programs" that appeal to the animals sense of progress (for example, the Windmill that
is supposed to provide some creature comforts to the animals in the barn.) Technology
is a way to improve the farm and allow the animals more time off. Sort of a a populist
message.
Napoleon, on the other hand, is more of a "blunt instrument." He is willing to spend the
time needed to debate Snowball, but generally takes opinions contrary to Snowball in
order to create conflict. His main goals are to tighten his control over Animal Farm and
ensure its protection (as seen in his suggestion to acquire more guns rather than
sending out birds.) He has had the foresight to train up a pack of attack dogs and make
them loyal to him, showing that the "coup" option was always in the back of his mind.
Napoleon was willing to go through the "democratic" process to a point, but when it
looked like he was going to lose the vote on the windmill he had his dogs chase
Snowball off the farm, thus ending the debate. For him, politics is only a useful game if
he was winning. He tends to work on the animals minds, twisting history and events in
 ways the less intelligent animals have problems recognizing. This twisting solidifies his
power. Notice the way that once Snowball is gone, Napoleon decrees that the windmill
will indeed be built because he had (supposedly) secretly always been for it.
In the end Snowball didn't stand a chance. He thought he was playing politics on a level
playing field, but Napoleon was the type willing to just take the ball and go home.

25. What are the parallels between ​Animal Farm​ and the Russian Revolution?

One of the main ideas in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm" is how each event in it parallels
an event in the Russian Revolution. Many students may not be familiar with these
details. Read on for more information.

Old Major’s Vision

Old Major’s vision of a farm where animals ruled, where there were no human
oppressors, is a direct match to Marx’s vision of a communist society. In his Communist
Manifesto, Marx envisions a world where everyone is equal, and where those on the
lower rungs of society have as much say as those on the upper rungs.

Although both concepts are nice in theory, “Animal Farm" shows that too much power
can corrupt anyone. When Old Major’s vision, later called “Animalism," was put into
practice, the pigs in charge took over and became selfish and violent, twisting the
philosophy until it barely contained an echo of the original intent. The same thing
happened with communism, as Stalin left much of the country penniless and helpless,
and put people to death if they showed the slightest resistance to his regime.

Napoleon and Snowball

The parallels between Napoleon and Stalin, and Snowball and Trotsky, are relatively
straightforward. At the beginning, the two pigs lead the revolution against Mr. Jones,
just as Stalin and Trotsky played instrumental roles in the Russian Revolution under
Lenin. Eventually, Stalin exiled Trotsky by using force, the same way that Napoleon
drives out Snowball through the use of a pack of violent dogs. For more details about
the symbolism of Napoleon and Snowball, see the article in this series on symbolism.

Napoleon’s Leadership
When Napoleon takes over Animal Farm, he quickly shows his hypocrisy. Although he
encourages the animals to work harder than ever, his sole worry when food becomes
scarce is about public approval. He therefore fills the food bins with sand so that the
outside world will not realize that the animals are starving. Stalin did essentially the
 same thing when his collectivization of agriculture led to a widespread famine, killing
millions of Russians.

The Rebellion of the Hens

When the hens refuse to give the pigs their eggs, Napoleon starves them until several
die, and the rest give up. He later sets the dogs on a group of pigs who have expressed
discontent, as well as several other possibly innocent animals. This likely parallels
Stalin’s Great Purge, which happened between 1936 and 1938, in which Stalin killed or
exiled anyone who might have possibly defied him.

These are only some examples of how “Animal Farm" matches the Russian Revolution.
Orwell’s entire novel is essentially an allegory, in which each detail represents a
different aspect of this historical event and the episodes surrounding it.

26. How do the actions of the pigs in ​Animal Farm​ compare to the actions of Russia's revolutionary
leaders before, during, and after the Russian revolution of 1917?

Throughout Animal Farm Orwell portrays the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917
that eventually resulted in the totalitarian rule of Joseph Stalin. The pigs in the novella
represent and parallel the significant actors involved in the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Old Major represents both Karl Marx, a political theorist who championed communist
ideology, and Vladimir Lenin, who was the leader of the Bolsheviks and founder of the
Soviet Union. Like Marx and Lenin, old Major develops the tenets of a revolutionary
philosophy and encourages the people (or animals, in Animal Farm) to break free of
their oppressors. Animalism and Communism share similar ideas, such as the fair
distribution of wealth, collective labor, and equality.
The character of Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, a Russian Marxist revolutionary and
founder of the Red Army. Following the Russian Revolution, Trotsky led the Red Army
during the Russian Civil War by defeating the White Army. This triumph parallels
Snowball's victory at the Battle of the Cowshed. Trotsky wanted to spread communism
to the rest of the world and implemented a Five-Year Plan to develop the Russian
economy. Throughout the story, Snowball champions the tenets of Animalism,
successfully repels Jones's attack at the Battle of the Cowshed, and designs a plan to
build the windmill. Unfortunately, Snowball is vanquished and exiled from Animal Farm
in the same way that Stalin banished Trotsky from Russia.
The character of Napoleon parallels Joseph Stalin. After the Rebellion, Napoleon comes
to power alongside Snowball. However, Napoleon disagrees with Snowball's future
vision of Animal Farm. Napoleon also begins to alter the tenets of Animalism to favor
the pigs, who represent top-ranking Russian officials, and eventually exiles Snowball.
 Napoleon then begins his tyrannical reign by murdering dissenters, manipulating the
animals through propaganda, and oppressing the other animals on the farm. Orwell
depicts Stalin's rise to power and tyrannical rule through the character of Napoleon.
Stalin was a selfish, ambitious politician who formed the secret police, NKVD, to execute
and arrest those who disagreed with his policies or threatened his leadership. Stalin also
commissioned the Great Purges, where thousands of people were executed or sent to
labor camps in Siberia. He also ordered Trotsky's assassination and spread propaganda
by controlling the media. Millions of Russians suffered and died during Stalin's reign,
and he became one of history's most notorious tyrants.
Orwell parallels the plight of the pigs in Animal Farm with the major actors before,
during, and after the Russian Revolution of 1917. This allegorical tale depicts how
Joseph Stalin rose to power by manipulating communist ideals to become a dictator
who oppressed and murdered the citizens of Russia.

Short notes (8 marks)

● The role of Squealer

Squealer's role on the farm is as propagandist. In other words, he is the pigs'

spokesperson. He is able to twist everything the pigs do into something that sounds
positive to the other animals. Allegorically, Squealer symbolizes Leon Trotsky. Squealer
is described as follows:
He was a brilliant talker, and when he was arguing some difficult point he had a way of
skipping from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive. The
others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.
The idea of turning black into white is classic propaganda. For example, when the milk
and apples that were supposed to be shared by everyone disappear, Squealer explains it
away as follows:
"Comrades!" he cried. "You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit
of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them
myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples
(this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to
the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and
organisation of this farm depend on us.
The animals seem to accept his explanation, even though it is obviously ridiculous.
As the pigs gain more power Napoleon makes fewer public appearances and Squealer
makes his excuses.

● Molly’s escape
Mollie never really believed in the revolution. She was not part of the Battle of
Cowshed, she was frightened by the sound of the guns. Mollie also has not accepted the
fact that under the new terms governing the farm after the successful takeover by the
animals, that she must work.
Mollie was more of a pet of Farmer Jones, not interested in anything other than her
sugar cubes and ribbons for her hair. Every chance she got, she avoided work, arrived
late or finally, she is seen being stroked by a human. Shortly after that she disappears to
be seen by the pigeons to be pulling a cart for another human.
Mollie's disappearance can be compared to the Russians who chose to escape the
revolution, not believing in the potential of the totalitarian state to take care of their
every need. Many Russian people left not expressing any interest, like Mollie, in the
revolt which was intended to bring equality and justice to all people.
Mollie's actions are significant, since on Animal Farm, there really is no room for any
animal to disagree with Napoleon, who is a representation of Josef Stalin. Her escape,
like that of many Russian people was very brave, and courageous.

● The death of Boxer

Boxer is strong, generous, and blindly loyal to Animal Farm and to Napoleon. He gives
his all for the farm, working harder than anyone else to make the society work. So his
death is symbolic for a number of reasons, all of which show how far the animals'
revolution has become. On the one hand, it harkens back to a warning that Old Major
gave in his speech at the beginning of the book. Pointing out that animals were not
allowed to live out their lives to their natural end, Old Major says:
You, Boxer, the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power, Jones will
sell you to the knacker, who will cut your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds.
But the reader, and some of the animals, realize that it is not Jones who sells Boxer to
the knacker, but Napoleon. This shows the extent to which the pigs have become what
they fought to overthrow, as it is not only something that Jones would have done, but
also a violation of the pigs' promise that older animals would be able to retire with a
pension. Additionally, the whole episode demonstrates how Napoleon, through
Squealer, is able to control information on the farm. Benjamin notices that the van,
ostensibly sent from the veterinarian, actually bears the logo:
'Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and
Bone-Meal. Kennels Supplied.'
Frantically, the animals chase after the van, and are angry that their friend has been
sent to the knacker. Squealer responds by telling the animals that he himself had been
with Boxer when he died, and Napoleon gives a speech in his honor. In response to
allegations that the van was in fact the knacker's wagon, he tells the animals that the
van had in fact once belonged to the knacker, but had been sold to the vet. The animals
believed this preposterous explanation, and reproached themselves for believing that
Napoleon could have been responsible for selling Boxer off to his death. So the incident
is evidence of how effective the pigs are at manipulating the truth.

● The Battle of the Cowshed

The battle of cowshed happened because Mr. Jones was finally able to get a group or
men together to attempt to take back his farm. At first, no one wanted to help Jones. In
fact Orwell states that people wanted to take advantage of Jones's situation. However,
when the rebellion seemed to be going well, others were afraid that this rebellion might
spread.
Snowball got wind of this and he was ready. He studied the battle tactics of no one less
than Julius Caesar. Snowball's tactic was threefold.
First, he sent the pigeons to create disorder among the attackers. Then he sent the
geese to peck at the legs of the people. All of this was diversionary. Second, Snowball
sent bigger animals like Muriel, Benjamin, and the sheep. After this initial attack,
Snowball ordered them to retreat. The humans thought they won. They even rejoiced.
However, this retreat, too, was all a part of his plan. Third, as the men came closer, the
horses and cows moved into the battle and surprised and overwhelmed Jones and his
men. Here is the text:
As soon as they were well inside the yard, the three horses, the three cows, and the rest
of the pigs, who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed, suddenly emerged in their
rear, cutting them off. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. He himself dashed
straight for Jones.
The battle was successful.
Jones was hurled into a pile of dung and his gun flew out of his hands. But the most
terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his
great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood
on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. At the sight, several men dropped
their sticks and tried to run.
The animals rejoiced. Surprisingly, there was only one casualty - a sheep. The
animals gave him I honors. Also they decided to call the battle, "Battle of Cowshed,"
because that was where the battle was fought. At this point, Snowball was also
recognized for his heroic role in the battle. Perhaps more importantly, October 12th, the
date of the battle would become a lasting memory for the animals.

● The significance of the Windmill

Animal Farm by George Orwell can be read and enjoyed without knowledge of the
Russian Revolution. However, in order to recognize the subtleties he introduces and the
comparisons with the Russian Revolution and George Orwell's intention of highlighting
the abuse of power, readers do benefit from some background information. Orwell
purposefully creates his characters in this "fairy story" to reveal traits of one or other of
the instigators and influential parties involved in the revolution. For example, Snowball,
based on Leon Trotsky, comes across as something of an idealist, totally committed to
Animalism and dedicated to improving the infrastructure of Animal Farm. However, his
major flaw is his blind acceptance that the pigs are somehow superior to the other
animals and, as this acceptance that "some animals are more equal than others" is the
very thing that leads to the failure of the farm, his strategic thinking and support for the
masses will prove to be no match for Napoleon (Joseph Stalin) and his vicious dogs.
Snowball and Napoleon have endless debates about the benefits of the windmill and
Snowball has a long-term plan which he knows makes sense and should be enough to
persuade the animals. However, Napoleon is already displaying his thirst for power.
With no interest in Snowball's plan, he is already manipulating the sheep so that they
will heckle Snowball with the "four legs good" mantra. Snowball believes that the
windmill will uphold the principles of Animalism and is a controlled and systematic way
of improving life for all. It is only after he is chased from the farm that Napoleon realizes
that he can use the windmill, not only to discredit Snowball, but also to gain advantage
over the animals for his own gain. The animals become confused about Snowball's
intentions and thus fall readily into Napoleon's hands.
Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin, and later Joseph Stalin, believed passionately in Karl Marx
and his communist ideology and together they overthrew the Tsar. After Lenin's death,
Trotsky eventually fled into exile (just like Snowball being chased off the farm) and Stalin
introduced a five-year plan much like Napoleon when he decides that the windmill will
be a good idea to increase productivity and supposedly give the animals greater
freedom and comfort. This parallels Stalin's modernization projects and tighter grip on
the economy and the people.
The windmill, which could represent the animals' victory and a great idea on paper,
becomes nothing more than a symbol of the pigs' superiority and their ability to
manipulate the animals for their own gain.

● The new Anthem on the animal farm

When the animals start to sing 'Beasts of England" after the"purges" of the animals who
were allegedly allied with Snowball Squealer stops them, saying:
It's no longer needed...Beasts of England was the song of the Rebellion. But the
Rebellion is now completed. The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final
act. The enemy both external and internal has been defeated. In Beasts of England we
expressed our longing for a better society in days to come. But that society has now
been established. Clearly this song has no longer any purpose.
The pigs are now more interested in enforcing obedience to Animal Farm than in
proclaiming the rights of animals. Hence Minimus's song glorifies the achievements of
the farm and causes the animals to pledge their obedience to it.
Animal Farm, Animal Farm, shalt thou come to harm!
Never through me
In Chapter VIII we learn of a poem written by Minimus that celebrates Napoleon alone
in obsequious terms, celebrating him as the "fountain of happiness" and "giver of all
that thy creatures love." It is placed alongside a portrait of Napoleon on the barn wall
opposite the Seven Commandments. This makes it clear that, as the first response says,
obedience to the farm is obedience to Napoleon.