Answer the following questions:
1. The murders and purges which occur in Chapter VII are brutal and terrifying, yet the animals are
quick to forget about them and to accept explanations. Explain how the pigs can make words appear
more real than the actual murders. How does this have frightening applications in reality, both
historically and today?
The Answers:
1. The pigs used Snowball as scapegoat, it was now clear that anything will happen in
the farm will be attributed to Snowball. The key of the store- shed was missing, it was
said that Snowball came in the evening and stole it, they went on believing so even if
when they found the key under a sack of meal. The cows declared that Snowball came
while they were sleeping and milked them, it was also mentioned that the rats are
working with Snowball. Napoleon used this rumor for his own sake, so, he Prepared
for the trial of confession, moreover, Napoleon declared that investigations should be
held about Snowball’s activities, with the attendance of his dogs. The dogs started to
search for traces of Snowball, around the farm and everywhere, as well as Napoleon.
The animals felt so terrified, feeling that the presence of Snowball is a threat to them.
Squealer called the animals for a meeting in the evening. A very important discovery
is made that Snowball is plotting with Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield farm, not only that
but also, he was the spy of Mr. Jones from the very beginning. They showed them
some documents to prove their words and this is theme of ignorance verses education
as they can’t read to understand what is written. At first the animals started to believe
but then they remembered how bravely Snowball fought in the battle of the cowshed.
Boxer started to discuss saying that he can’t believe that, because we gave him
Animal hero first class, Squealer answered saying that we were mistaken comrades,
also Boxer said that he was shot. Squealer answered saying that it was all planned in
the documents if he can read he will know and understand. After that he related all
work and achievements to Napoleon who fought bravely and started shouting “death
for humanity”. And Because they were fickle minded, The animals couldn’t remember
what Squealer was saying. But at a point they believed that Snowball flew in the
critical moment of the battle, but still Boxer is not convinced. “I don’t believe that he
was a traitor, he was a good comrade in the battle of the cowshed”. Squealer now
announced that “our leader comrade Napoleon announced that Snowball was Jone’s
agent from the beginning, and now Boxer is convinced and said his motto “Napoleon
is always right.so, Napoleon didn’t use only Squealer to turn black into white , but he
used also direct threats, the trail of confession and execution as Napoleon came
wearing his medals which he made for himself with his nine dogs (corruption of
power) ,the dogs seized four pigs by the ear and dragged them. Blood was falling
from their ears, and they were heading towards Boxer, but they couldn’t do anything
to him and they were asking for mercy, when Boxer looked at Napoleon not knowing
what to do, until he got the hint to leave the dogs alone. Napoleon calls upon the four
pigs to confess their crimes, they were the same pigs who protested during the Sunday
meeting. They confessed instantly that they had been secretly in touch with Snowball
ever since his expulsion, that they had collaborated with him to destroy the windmill
and that they agreed with him to hand over animal farm to Mr. Frederick and they
added that Snowball confessed to them that he had been the secret agent of Mr. Jones
for years when they finished their confession the dogs killed them. The three hens
confessed, a goose, sheep. The trial of confession completed till the place was full of
corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet. After that execution the animals were afraid and
miserable. From the time Mr. Jones left no animal has killed another animal. All the
animals disappeared, except Boxer who remained on his feet saying that the problem
is in them and they had to work harder.
So, by the end of this chapter, we found that the pigs were corrupted and they did
everything against to the commandments, this chapter reflects what Stalin did with the
Russian people, as he broke the Marxism, not only he did those trials of confusions
and execution in real life
Comment on the following:
1- “I don’t 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”
Who said this quotation? For what reasons? What was the reaction of the recipients? What does it
symbolize and foreshadow?
The answer:
1. Boxer said these words to the animals after the trials of confession and execution, he saw the
cruelest scene in his life as Napoleon came wearing his medals which he made for
himself with his nine dogs (corruption of power) ,the dogs seized four pigs by the ear
and dragged them. Blood was falling from their ears, and they were heading towards
Boxer, but they couldn’t do anything to him and they were asking for mercy, when
Boxer looked at Napoleon not knowing what to do, until he got the hint to leave the
dogs alone. Napoleon calls upon the four pigs to confess their crimes, they were the
same pigs who protested during the Sunday meeting. They confessed instantly that
they had been secretly in touch with Snowball ever since his expulsion, that they had
collaborated with him to destroy the windmill and that they agreed with him to hand
over animal farm to Mr. Frederick and they added that Snowball confessed to them
that he had been the secret agent of Mr. Jones for years when they finished their
confession the dogs killed them. The three hens confessed, a goose, sheep. The trial of
confession completed till the place was full of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet.
After that execution the animals were afraid and miserable. From the time Mr. Jones
left no animal has killed another animal. All the animals disappeared, except Boxer
who remained on his feet saying that the problem is in them and they had to work
harder. Napoleon symbolizes Stalin and his trials of confessions and executions,
Boxer symbolizes the working class who were fighting for their dream till the last
atom, this foreshadows the failure of the revolution.
The dictatorship of Napoleon: signs of the corrupted power
a) now the orders are passed through squealer, or one of the pigs, Napoleon now is rarely
seen in public. And now when he appears in the public attended no only by his dogs, but also
with a black cockerel. Even in the farmhouse he stayed in a separate apartment from others,
he took his meals alone with two dogs to wait upon him. It was also announced that the gun
would be fired every year on Napoleon’s birthdays and the other two anniversaries.
b) Now Napoleon is not addressed by his name, he was always referred to as “our leader,
comrade Napoleon”. The pigs invented titles for him as the father of all animals, terror of
mankind. Protector of sheepfold, Ducklings’ friend.
c) Squealer in his speeches would talk with tears rolling down his checks of Napoleon’s
wisdom, the kindness of his heart and his love to all animals.
d) Now it had become usual to give Napoleon the credit for every successful achievement
and every stroke of good fortune (satire of the Soviet Union). You would often hear one hen
remark to another under the guidance of our leader comrade Napoleon that it had laid five
eggs in six days or two cows enjoying a drink at the pool would exclaim, thanks to our leader
comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes.
e) These feelings were translated in a song made for him. He approved this poem and it was
inscribed on the wall of the big barn, at the opposite end from the seven commandments
(irony)
The battle of the windmill:
a) the battle started in the morning, but the victory wasn’t easy this time, Mr. Frederick
came with fifteen men and a half a dozen of guns. However Napoleon and Boxer tried to stop
them, but they couldn’t. A number of animals were wounded, they all run to the farm
building as refuge. The whole farm is now in their hands and even the windmill. At a moment
all the animals seemed lost and also Napoleon.
b) Pilkington didn’t offer any help through a note sent by the pigeons. Frederick and his men
seized to destroy the windmill, but Napoleon said impossible, but actually they intended to
explode it.
c) When the animals saw that their courage regained and started to take revenge. The men
fired which leads to the death of a cow, three sheep and two geese and nearly everyone was
wounded, even Napoleon.
d) Boxer and the dogs of Napoleon fought the men and were able to kick them out of the
farm. The animals won the battle, but they were weary and bleeding.
8) The consequences of the battle:
a) now it was difficult for the animals to rebuild the windmill, because the explosion didn’t
leave any stone to begin with. Squealer now appeared as he was absent during the battle and
he fired the gun, Boxer asked him why should we fire the gun. Squealer answered saying for
our victory, what victory Boxer answered as he was injured from the battle. Squealer
answered that we expelled the enemy, but we lost the windmill after we had worked for two
years. Squealer also justified saying that we can built more windmills if we want and have the
will to. But for the first time Boxer realized that he is eleven years old and his muscles won’t
be like before. Squealer also attributed their victory to the leadership of our Comrade
Napoleon.
b) A funeral was held for the dead, Napoleon gave two days for the celebrations. Drinks and
food were served for the animals. The battle was called the battle of the windmill as
Napoleon said and also Napoleon had created a new decoration the order of the green banner,
which he had conferred upon himself. The pigs violated one of the commandments by
drinking the whisky they found in the cellars of the farmhouse.
c) The pigs wake up late the next day, Squealer gathered the animals to pass them an
important piece of news that Napoleon was dying. The animals started to cry and afraid to
lose their leader and it was announced that Snowball succeeded to poison Napoleon in his
food and he had his last decree the drinking of alcohol was to be punished.
d) Napoleon became more and better and back at work. He started to have a new deal with
Mr. Whymper.
The theme of deception is prevalent in this chapter. Napoleon is tricked with
phony bank notes. What qualities in the animals make them vulnerable to
deception? Which “human vices” does deception utilize?
1-Animals were vulnerable to deception because of their stupidity. They were
not well-educated, poor and they were easily led by any one.
The theme of deception was clear in more than one aspect:
a-Animal/Animal deception:
Pigs deceived the animals(trading with Pilkington , then trading with Fredrick,
providing false reasons).
B-Animal/Human deception:
Pigs deceived Mr. Pilkington (They held secret trading with Fredrick).
C-Human/Animal deception:
Fredrick sent forged banknotes to Napoleon.
As for the pigs, they were dictators. They tend to use violence in dealing with
the animals. They were violating the rules they have set themselves.
Comment on the following quotations:
1-Muriel read the Commandment for her. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other
animal WITHOUT CAUSE." Somehow or other, the last two words had slipped
out of the animals' memory.
For what reasons was this commandment read? To what extent was it violated?
What was the reaction of the recipients? What does it symbolize and
foreshadow?
Answer:
1-The reasons why this commandment was read is killing animals in the trials of
confession to serve the goals of that assumed leadership.
The animals were stupefied and they started to believe that they slipped off
their memory.
The trials symbolize those trials of Stalin , and that incident foreshadows more
executions on the way for innocent animals and a failure of the revolution.
2-They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol,"
but there were two words that they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment
read: "No animal shall drink alcohol TO EXCESS."
For what reasons was this commandment read? To what extent was it violated?
What was the reaction of the recipients? What does it symbolize and
foreshadow?
Answers:
That commandment was read because Napoleon and the pigs were celebrating by
drinking Alcohol , which is considered as a violation for the commandments.
The animals were shocked , and that shows a clear class distinction.
This incident symbolizes corruption of power (capitalists), and it foreshadows
the failure of the revolution.
a) Analytical
Answer the following question:
1-. Boxer’s cruel death is a result of Napoleon’s tyrannical rule. Although some
of the animals are smart enough to recognize that they are living under tyranny,
they do not act. Do you think Orwell is passing judgment on the animals for not
trying to change their situation? Does knowledge of a crime not coupled with
action constitute complicity in the crime?
The answer:
1- Boxer (represents communists or working class)
-He’s known for his dedication, loyalty, and huge capacity for labor.
-Exploited by the pigs as much or more than he had been by Mr. Jones.
-Boxer represents all of the invisible labor.
- Boxer’s pitiful death at a glue factory dramatically illustrates the extent of
the pigs’ betrayal. It may also, however, speak to the specific significance of
Boxer himself: before being carted off, he serves as the force that holds
Animal Farm together.
- He became a source of threat for Napoleon as he is greatly admired by the
animals, he might sway their way of thinking especially after having a sense of
awareness.
- Animals’ stupidity and ignorance made it easy for Squealer to deceive them
and lie about Boxer’s death.
- Not taking any action or thinking about his death adds to the tragic end of
Boxer and to the complicity of the crime.
b) Comment on the following:
1- ‘Besides, in those days they had been slaves and now they were free, and that made
all the difference, as Squealer did not fail to point out.’
What does this mean?
What changes took place in Animal farm?
Are animals free? Why? Why not?
2- This quotation shows that even though the animals’ original plans changed, at
least they were not slaves to the humans. For the time being, certainly, it had
been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations of food, but in
comparison with the days of Jones, the improvement was enormous. Reading out
the figures in a shrill, rapid voice, he proved to them in detail that they had
more oats, more hay, more turnips than they had had in Jones's day, that they
worked shorter hours, that their drinking water was of better quality, that they
lived longer, that a larger proportion of their young ones survived infancy, and
that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas. The
animals believed every word of it. They knew that life nowadays was harsh and
bare, that they were often hungry and often cold, and that they were usually
working when they were not asleep. But doubtless it had been worse in the old
days. They were glad to believe so. Besides, in those days they had been slaves
and now they were free, and that made all the difference, as Squealer did not
fail to point out.
Chapter 10
Failure of the Revolution
a) Analytical
Answer the following question:
1. Compare Manor Farm at the beginning of the story with Manor Farm in
the last chapter. What changes have taken place and what things have
remained the same? What, in your opinion, is better for the animals and
why?
The answer:
1- When Animal Farm opens, the reader is introduced to Manor Farm and Mr.
Jones, its owner. When Mr. Jones goes to bed in a drunken manner, the animals
of the farm gather to hear the Old Major's speech. In the speech, the Old
Major expresses the need and the hope for rebellion against human control. In
the second chapter, the animals take control of Manor Farm, and the pigs, under
the leadership of Napoleon, assume the role of the ruling class. In doing so, the
pigs impose a set of "commandments" on the other animals. For a short time,
this system works well, as the animals eagerly work under the new ruler ship.
As the novel progresses, the animals come to realize that the leadership of
Napoleon and the pigs is just as oppressive as that of Mr. Jones. By the last
chapter, the pigs, after having named the farm Animal Farm, change it back to
Manor Farm. This is a significant event in that it marks the acknowledgement
that the farm has come full circle. When the animals find they cannot
distinguish the pigs from the humans, the circle completes itself.
The systems of government at the beginning of the novel and at the end share a
great deal in common. The perception of oppressive government in Chapter I
becomes more of a reality by Chapter X. In this sense, they are no better off
by the end of the novel. The only way the animals are any better off at the end
is that they are wiser. They have witnessed how "communist" government, for
all of its declarations of freedom for the working class, leads to the same
oppression it required to replace.
b) Comment on the following:
1- ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL
BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.
This single commandment replaces the original Seven Commandments. Explain
The answer:
The ultimate example of the pigs’ systematic abuse of logic and language to control
their inferiors, this final reduction of the Seven Commandments, which appears in
Chapter X. Although the first clause implies that all animals are equal to one another, it
does not state this claim openly. Thus, it is possible to misread the word “equal” as a
relative term rather than an absolute one, meaning that there can be different degrees
of “equal”-ness. It becomes no more absurd to say “more equal” than to say “more
colorful.” By small, almost invisible steps like these, the core ideals of Animal Farm
gradually become corrupted.
The phrase also points to the specific form of corruption on Animal Farm. The initial,
unmodified phrase makes reference to all animals, its message extending to the entire
world of animals without distinction. Similarly, Old Major expresses ideals that suggest
the dignity of all, the comradeship of all, the addition of all in voting and decisionmaking, so that no one group or individual will oppress another. The revised phrase,
however, mentions an “all,” but only in order to differentiate a “some” from that “all,”
to specify the distinctiveness, the leading nature, and the chosen status of that
“some.” The pigs clearly imagine themselves as this advantaged “some”; under their
dictatorial government, the working animals exist only to serve the larger glory of the
leadership, to provide the rulers with food and comfort, and to support their luxurious
and exclusive lifestyle.