Animals Farm Chapters 5-7

The Words:
In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs presided over by himself.

What they really mean:

Napoleon is going to make all the decisions from now on.


The Words:
I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself. Do not imagine, comrade, leadership is a pleasure!

What they really mean:

Napoleon wants to maintain that he is sacrificing for the better of the animals.
The Words:

This work is strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.

What they really mean:

All animals must work on Sundays.


The Words:

From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with neighbouring farms: not, of course, for any commercial purpose, but simply in order to obtain materials which were urgently necessary

What they really mean:

Napoleon is engaging in trade with humans for his own profit.


The Words:

It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm should have a quiet place to work in

What they really mean:

The pigs get to live in the farmhouse.


The Words:

It was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals

What they really mean:

The pigs' workload will be lesser than the other animals


The Words:

Beasts of England has been abolished

What they really mean:

There will be no more rebellion on the farm and no more freedom, which means Napoleon will be the absolute ruler of the farm.


PERSONAL RESPONSE

Q1) What was your reaction to Snowball's expulsion from Animal Farm?

Ans: I feel that Snowball's expulsion of Animal Farm was predicted. Napoleon had the support of nine dogs, which he trained since their birth. This already shows that Napoleon was planning to overthrow Snowball long before.

ANALYZING LITERATURE

Q1) What happens to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in Soviet history does this scene represent?

Ans: He was chased out by Napoleon's nine dogs. It represents the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky, and the expulsion of Trotsky.

Q2) Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership on the farm. How does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon's leadership?

Ans: He chased Snowball out of the farm to consolidate his power, uses Squealer to brainwash the other animals and has his nine fierce dogs to get rid of opposition.

Q3) Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals about their role in a future society?

Ans: It is to teach the rest of the animals not to rebel against Napoleon. It tells the animals that any opposition to Napoleon will be brutally crushed.

Q4)How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon's leadership, to its exploited state under Farmer Jones' rule? What attitude about totalitarian government do you think Orwell conveys?

Ans: Orwell shows that under Napoleon's leadership, the animals on the farm are still hungry and exploited as in Jones' time. He conveys the message that a totalitarian government will not be able to sustain itself.

Q5) Do you think it's fair that those who are more educated or more skilled - like the pigs in Animal Farm - have more influence in decision-making? Consider how decisions are made in your community, state, or in the nation.

Ans: I do not think it is fair because every one should have a say. In Singapore, citizens are also given the right to choose, but the power rests on the government.