Characters
During the Battle of the Windmill, how do the humans destroy the structure?
using blasting powder (dynamite).
During the assembly, what happens to the four pigs who had previously questioned Napoleon?
confession, excecution
How is the Sixth Commandment regarding killing changed?
The Sixth Commandment was changed by the pigs to say, "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause," so they could justify executing other animals.
The battle is celebrated as a massive victory. Why is this ironic considering the physical state of the animals and the destruction of the windmill?
The battle is celebrated as a victory, which is ironic because the animals' serious injuries and the total destruction of the windmill make their "win" feel more like a terrible loss.
The pigs begin to adopt human habits (sleeping in beds, trading). How does the alteration of the Commandment ("with sheets") demonstrate the flexibility of the law under a dictatorship?
The alteration of the commandment to include "with sheets" demonstrates that the law in a dictatorship is entirely flexible and serves only the rulers' self-interest. Instead of adhering to a fixed moral code, the pigs break the rule first, then change the written law retroactively to make their selfish indulgences seem legal, forcing the other animals to doubt their own memories.
What is the final ruling on alcohol consumption at the end of the chapter?
At the end of Chapter 8 of Animal Farm, the Fifth Commandment is changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess", allowing the pigs to continue drinking alcohol while justifying their actions and maintaining their control. This occurs after the pigs find and consume a crate of whiskey, leading to Napoleon's severe hangover. Squealer is later caught by Muriel next to the commandment with a ladder and paint, which the animals interpret as a sign that they had simply misremembered the original wording.
Who composes the new song that begins "Animal Farm, Animal Farm..."?
Minimus, the poet pig.
The pigs discover whiskey and initially ban it, then legalize it. What does this suggest about the "rules" of a society when the rulers have the power to indulge in vices?
This suggests that the rules in that society only apply to the regular animals, not to the powerful pigs who make the rules.
Squealer reads figures proving food production has increased by 200-500%. Why do the animals believe these numbers despite their empty stomachs?
The animals believe Squealer's numbers because they cannot read or remember how things used to be, and they are too afraid to argue with the pigs' propaganda.
The animals feel a "vague uneasiness" about the trade with humans. Why do they suppress this instinct?
They suppress their instinctual uneasiness due to Squealer’s manipulation and the constant threat of violence from Napoleon’s dogs. Squealer reassures the animals that no rule against trade ever existed and uses their poor memories and fear of Mr. Jones' return to silence all doubts.
Why does Napoleon think he is dying, and what is the actual cause of his illness?
he was suffering from a severe hangover
How do the animals conceal the fact that they are starving when Mr. Whymper visits?
Filling the bins with sand, Staged sightings, Manipulated conversations, Restricted contact.
Why is "Beasts of England" actually banned? (Hint: Consider what the song is about versus what the society has become).
"Beasts of England" is banned because the pigs want the animals to forget the original dream of a free and equal farm, a dream that the pigs have now completely destroyed.
The sale of timber to Frederick (Germany) and the subsequent betrayal mirrors the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and Hitler’s invasion of Russia. How does Orwell depict the confusion of the animals during these shifting alliances?
Orwell depicts the animals' confusion by making them unable to remember who they are supposed to trust, as the pigs continually change the story about their friends and enemies.
Why does Napoleon think he is dying, and what is the actual cause of his illness?
Napoleon believes he has been poisoned because the other pigs start a rumor to cover up the truth. He is actually suffering from a severe hangover after drinking too much whiskey the night before.
Who does Napoleon sell the pile of timber to, and what goes wrong with the payment?
Napoleon sells the pile of timber to Mr. Frederick.
What happens to "Beasts of England," and what reason does Squealer give for banning it?
The song is banned and replaced by a new one written by Minimus, the pig poet, that glorifies Napoleon. Squealer explains that the revolution has been successful, and therefore, there is no longer a need for a song about rebellion.
The battle is celebrated as a massive victory. Why is this ironic, considering the physical state of the animals and the destruction of the windmill?
The battle is celebrated as a massive victory, which is ironic because the animals are all injured, and their main achievement, the windmill, has been completely destroyed
This chapter represents the "Great Purge" or the Moscow Trials. Why do the animals confess to crimes they likely didn't commit?
The animals confess to crimes they didn't commit because they are so scared of Napoleon's power that they believe they must do what he says.
Contrast the mood of the farm after the executions with the mood immediately after the Rebellion. How has the definition of "enemy" changed?
After the Rebellion, the mood was hopeful, and everyone was united against the human enemy. However, after the executions, the mood became fearful and sad, as the "enemy" had become the animals themselves.
How does Napoleon rarely appear in public now, and what creates a "cult of personality" around him
establish an air of superiority, mystery, and importance, positioning himself as a supreme, almost mythical, leader who is above the daily life of the common animals.
Why do the hens rebel, and what method does Napoleon use to stop them?
Napoleon decreed they must surrender all their eggs to be sold for trade
The pigs discover whiskey and initially ban it, then legalize it. What does this suggest about the "rules" of a society when the rulers have the power to indulge in vices?
The pigs changing the rules about whiskey suggests that rules only matter for the common animals, not for the powerful rulers. The rulers can change any law they want
What rumors begin to circulate about Snowball’s secret activities on the farm at night?
Rumors began circulating that Snowball was sneaking onto the farm every night to cause mischief and sabotage their hard work. The animals blamed him whenever anything went wrong, believing he stole corn, broke eggs, trampled crops, and even collaborated with the human farmer Mr. Jones.
Clover looks over the farm with tears in her eyes but cannot articulate her thoughts. What does her internal monologue reveal about the gap between the dream of the Revolution and the reality of the outcome?
Clover's silent tears and inability to articulate her thoughts reveal a profound sense of sorrow and a clear recognition of the vast gap between the noble dream of the Revolution and the grim reality of its outcome.