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Animal Farm – Plot and action

CHAPTER 4 – THE BATTLE OF THE COWSHED

When the news of the Rebellion spreads, Orwell reminds us of what the animals are revolting against
by introducing the humans (of the neighbouring farms as well). We also can see how fragile the new
society is and how vulnerable it is to attack from outside. When the farmers suppress any signs of
rebellion on neighbouring farms, Orwell again reminds us of human’s oppressive and selfish nature.
This chapter introduces us to the farm’s violent neighbours. The achievement of the new animal farm
is evident when unity of the animals is seen in even the cat fighting to protect the farm. What is
specifically emphasised are Snowball’s strategic abilities. He anticipates the humans’ attack and
devises a carefully planned campaign in which the invaders are ambushed. (Napoleon later distorts
these events to turn the animals against Snowball and improve his reputation). Both Snowball and
Boxer are the heroes of the battle, risking their lives to defend the farm. The difference between the
two is that Boxer is much more compassionate and Snowball ignores the human suffering – The only
good human being is a dead one.
There are new signs of the hierarchy developing – some animals are more favoured than others.
Napoleon does not take part in the battle (!)

Answer the following questions:

1. How is the news of the Rebellion spread? Napoleon and Snowball sent out flights of pigeons
who then told other animals about the farm.
2. What has Mr Jones been doing since his expulsion from the farm? Drinking in a pub and
complaining.
3. What rumours are spread by Mr Frederick and Mr Pilkington? What starts happening despite
the rumours? They started spreading rumours that the animals are practicing cannibalism,
torture each other. Their stories were never believed.
4. In October (!), the farmers invade the farm. Summarize it and make a list of the violent
incidents! How long does the battle take? In October, Jones and all his man, entered Animal
farm. They were all carrying sticks and Jones was carrying a gun. Snowball gave his orders to
the animals quickly. First the pigeons dropped their dung over the men’s heads. Then the
geese pecked at the calves of their legs. The second attack was a failure, and then all the
animals came rushing in the yard. Snowball went straight for Jones and got shot. After that
Boxer attacked Foxwood and the other men ran away.
5. Which animals are missing in the battle? Mollie.
6. After the victory, what do the animals decide? What happens with the dead sheep (no
name!)? They decided to celebrate the victory and the sheep who had been killed was given
a solemn funeral. The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration.
7. What do the animals decide to celebrate every year? On October the twelfth the anniversary
of the Batlle of the crowshed and once on Midsummer day, the anniversary of the Rebellion.
8. The theme of this chapter is an emerging hierarchy/the rising ineaquality. Explain! All the
animals work together to beat the men in the attack on the farm.

CHAPTER 5 – NAPOLEON SEIZES POWER/THE REIGN OF TERROR STARTS

The pigs now control what happens on the farm – they decide all questions of farm policy. On the
allegorical level, the differing views of socialism held by Napoleon (Stalin) and Snowball (Trotsky) are
highlighted. Napoleon shows his contempt for free speech, he uses violence to establish absolute
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control over the animals. He has been planning the coup for a long time (his use of the sheep and the
dogs). There is an immediate parallel drawn between Napoleon and Mr Jones when we are told
about how the dogs behave, wagging their tails to him, in the same way as the other dogs had been
used to do to Mr Jones. After Snowball is forced to flee for his life, Napoleon’s main opposition has
been removed. The Sunday meeting, where the animals used to agree on their workload, becomes
the assembly at which their orders are given. The end of this chapter is quite bleak and destroys any
hope of a just society.

Answer the following questions:

1. What happens to Mollie? Mollie decided to leave the farm. She went on the other side of
Wilingdon where a man took care of her.
2. Who controls everything on the farm? How limited is their power? The pigs were controlling
everything, especially Napoleon and Snowball, that were always in disagreement.
3. What is the role of the sheep? The only thing they said was four legs good, two legs bad
during Snowballs speeches.
4. What is the difference between Napoleon and Snowball? Snowball was full of ideas and plans
for innovations and improvements. Napoleon produced no schemes of his own.
5. Describe Snowball’s plan and how useful will that be for the animals! He wanted to build a
windmill, that would give the animals electricity for heating their stalls in the winter.
6. How does Napoleon express his opinion of the windmill? He thinks that the windmill is a
waste of time and that they need to focus on food production.
7. How does the conflict between the two pigs affect the life on the farm? The whole farm was
divided on the subject of the windmill and between Snowball and Napoleon.
8. Describe another issue that the two pigs do not agree on? On the preparation for an attack.
According to Napoleon the animals must procure fire alarms and use them. According to
Snowball, they must send out more pigeons and stir up rebellion in other animals.
9. What happens to Snowball when the animals have to vote about the windmill? He is chased
by Napoleons dogs.
10. What does Napoleon announce to the other animals? He said, that Snowball was working
with Mr Jones all along and that there would be no more meetings.
11. Describe different reactions of the animals! They were mostly dismayed by this
announcement. The pigs were more articulate .
12. What does the new Boxer’s maxim tell you about him?
13. Describe the changed Sunday assemblies (Major’s skull, the sitting in the barn)! Every Sunday
morning the animals assembled in the big barn to receive orders for the week. Mayors skull
was set up on a stump .
14. In what way are the animals persuaded to believe whatever is told to them? Squealer
explained everything.
15. The theme of this chapter is democracy and how it is undermined. Discuss it! Well the
animals were not able to vote for Snowball and Napoleon, because Napoleon had a plan to
get rid of Snowball. Because of this he automatically became their leader.

CHAPTER 6 – SLAVERY AND PROPAGANDA

The pigs (mis)use language to manipulate the animals and to make their suffering acceptable.
Commandments are broken and altered to suit the pigs’ behaviour and ideas are reduced to slogans.
Fear and intimidation are used to suppress any protest. The animals’ hard work and suffering seem
to become almost the same as under Jones. Orwell contrasts the hardship suffered by the animals
with the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the pigs to point up their corruption. The principles of
Animalism are being left behind. Snowball in exile becomes a convenient scapegoat and can be
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blamed for Napoleon’s plans failing. The animals are exploited but fail to see that and think they
work for the benefit of themselves and not for human beings. The use of language is an important
theme of this chapter.

Answer the following questions

1. Why are the hard-working animals still happy? Because they are doing this for themselves
and not humans or Mr Jones.
2. Describe their working week! Through spring and summer they worked a 60 hour week and
in august they worked on Sunday afternoon as well.
3. How voluntary is their labour? It is, but if the animal wouldn’t work their rations reduced by
half.
4. What difficulties do they encounter when building the windmill? Who contributes most to it?
How does he motivate himself? The animals did not know how to break the stone in to
smaller pieces. Boxer contributed the most, because i will work harder and Napoleon is
always right, were his answers to all problems.
5. Why is the harvest poorer? Because all the animals put way more effort and time in the
windmill.
6. Why does Napoleon decide to trade with the neighbouring farms? How will they pay to
obtain certain materials e.g. machinery? They needed paraffin oil, nails, string, dog biscuits
and iron, seeds and artificial manures, tools and machinery for the windmill. They paid with
chicken eggs.
7. How does Squealer stop the animals from questioning Napoleon’s decision to trade? He
assured the animals that the resolution against the trade and using money had never been
passed.
8. What has happened to Mr Jones? He gave up his hope that he would get his farm back and
moved somewhere else.
9. What do the pigs do as well, which comes as a shock to many animals? They go in the house
and sleep in beds.
10. How does Squealer explain the decision? He says that pigs need a quiet place to think.
11. Who questions it and vaguely remembers the Fourth Commandment? Clover.
12. How has the commandment been altered? It was changed from no animal shall sleep in a
bed to no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
13. Which rhetorical questions is used again to intimidate the animals? Surely none of you want
Mr Jones back.
14. What happens to the windmill in November? A gale was so violent that the farm buildings
rocked on their foundations and several tiles were broken off. In the morning the windmill
was in ruins.
15. How does Napoleon explain that? What does he do as well? Napoleon says that Snowball
came in the night and purposely destroyed the windmill. He announces a death sentence
against him.