Animal Farm Chapters 8-10

Life for the Pigs:

The pigs live in farmhouse
Napoleon is waited on
The pigs sleep on beds
The pigs can drink alcohol
The pigs do not actually work
The pigs only give directions,then exploits the other animals to work for them
The pigs have more rations

Life for other animals:

They receive lesser food
They work longer hours
They are terrorised by Napoleon
They wait on Napoleon
They work for Napoleon as he pleases for an empty philosophy



PERSONAL RESPONSE

What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For example, do you find it uplifting,depressing, cynical? Explain.

Ans: I find it depressing, yet there is a tinch of hope. Life on the farm is the same as during Jones' time and the animals are brutally exploited. However, they have seen through Napoleon's facade and someday they might find the courage to fight back.

ANALYZING LITERATURE

Q1) What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?

Ans: Napoleon trades with Frederick and Pilkington. They made life harder for the animals because they have to rebuild the windmill in an even shorter time than before. Orwell is highlighting the invasion of Russia by Germany during World War II.


Q2) What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to a final conclusion about these events?

Ans: He was sent to the knackers. The animals learnt about it when Benjamin told them the van used to send Boxer to the "hospital" was actually a van used by the knackers. Squealer told them that the van was used by the knackers originally, but it was bought over by the hospital, who forgot to repaint it. Squealer also said that Boxer was given the best medical care


Q3) What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is Orwell making about the role of communication in Soviet society?

Ans: No animal shall kill any other animal was changed to no animal shall kill any other animal without reason and no animal shall drink alcohol was changed to no animals shall drink alcohol to excess.

Q4) In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of progress? Explain.

Ans: No, I do not think that it is a sign of progress. Instead of progress, it is a regression as this shows that the pigs are turning human, which means that life on the farm is the same as Jones' time.


Q5) Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are interchangeable? How might power change those who have it? Explain.

Ans: I think that most of them are interchangeable. No political leader is indispensable as if they lose their popularity, chances are that they will be forced to step down.