Tyranny
List two ways the working conditions of Animals have gotten worse:
Harsh weather
More work for the windmill
Food shortages
Why does Napoleon blame Snowball for the destruction of the windmill?
To reinforce the idea that Snowball is bad / to create a common enemy
How is it possible that one of the 7 commandments changed without the other animals noticing? Why did they accept this change?
- Many of the animals cannot read or write
- It is hard to remember things that are not written down / recorded
- Squealer manipulates the animals through technicalities (beds / sheets) and threatening the return of Jones
What does Squealer's character symbolize?
Political Propoganda used to control and manipulate people.
What are two things Napoleon did in response to the hen's rebellion?
He starved them
He said any animal who gave them food would be killed
Apart from the Windmill, list 3 other things is Snowball blamed for.
Stealing corn
Upsetting milk-pails
Breaking eggs
Trampling seed beds
Gnawing bark off fruit trees
Breaking things (drain pipes)
Stealing things (the key)
Milking the cows in their sleep
What does Boxer disagree with Squealer about?
That Snowball was always a traitor / that Snowball’s contributions to the Battle of Cowshed were genuine and in support of Animal Farm.
What does the starvation of the animals symbolize?
The widespread famine experienced by Soviet people under Stalin's rule.
List at least 3 of the “crimes” Napoleon has animals executed for at the end of chapter 7.
Pigs - in contact / connected to Jones
Hens - the egg rebellion
Goose - taking extra corn rations
Sheep - urinating in the drinking pool
Sheep - chased a ram who had a cough until he died
How does Napoleon make it appear as though they have plenty of food on the farm? Why does he do this?
Animals (mostly sheep) made casual comments about how food rations had been increased
Napoleon filled food bins with sand and put food on top to make it appear like it was all food.
He wants Mr. Whymper to spread the word in town that the farm is prosperous / doing well. Having an abundance of food is a symbol of strength and success.
Why do the animals sing “Beasts of England” at the end of chapter 7?
Clover begins to sing it as an expression of her grief and remorsefulness regarding the state of the farm and the deaths of the animals.
The other animals join in, sharing in these feelings.
What does Boxer's unwavering support to Napoleon symbolize?
The devotion and hard work of the working class despite the manipulation and exploitation of totalitarian regimes, such as Stalin's rule over the U.S.S.R.
What is the purpose of Napoleon’s executions at the end of Chapter 7?
Gain more control / power
Make examples out of other animals
Create a sense of fear
What are two claims that Squealer makes about Snowball to the other animals?
He has sold himself to Fredrick of Pinchfield Farm
He will guide the next attack on the farm
He was secretly working for Jones from the start
Why is it that Clover can’t speak her thoughts after the executions?
She is in shock from the executions and can’t find the words to express herself.
Napoleon’s actions have caused fear and repression in the animals - Clover may no longer feel like she can speak her ideas freely / representing the loss of Freedom of speech
It is a symbol of oppression - the animals are now becoming aware of the fact they are under an totalitarian regime
What does the Windmill's destruction symbolize?
The repeated failures of Stalin's industrialization projects.
Stalin blaming Trotsky for his failures.
Bonus: The collapse of Stalin's 5-year plan