Animal Farm Essay Research Paper SETTING The — страница 6

spontaneously. The flag is hoisted and the ‘Beasts of England’ is sung a number of times. The dead are given a solemn funeral, and the heroes are conferred with honors and medals. Snowball and Boxer are named ‘Animal Hero first Class’; the dead sheep is named ‘Animal Hero Second Class.’ After a discussion, the fight is called the Battle of Cowshed. Mr. Jones’ gun is to be fired twice a year, once on October 12, the anniversary of the ‘Battle of Cowshed’ and once on Midsummer Day, the anniversary of the Rebellion. Notes The Battle of Cowshed described in this chapter is told in an amusing way. There is much more detail about the animals’ strategy, discipline, and success here than there was about the initial rebellion, which was unplanned and accidental. Orwell

tells how the animals are prepared for this human attack, fight nobly, and lure the enemy into a trap. They act almost like a trained army, without regard to individual safety. The battle of Cowshed reflects the troubles Russia had with Germany in 1918; warfare was averted only by the signing of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk.. Use of propaganda by both humans and animals is seen in this chapter. Snowball and Napoleon incite the animals to fight, calling the men tyrannous. Farmers malign the animals by spreading rumors of their imagined excesses, like cannibalism, torture, lawlessness, and immorality. In Russia, the same kind of propaganda was used; and the special demonstrations, celebrations, and conferring of medals clearly is a satire on Russian behavior. The selfishness of

human beings is clearly shown in the chapter. Even though the neighboring farmers come to Jones’ aid in the battle, their purposes are not pure. Both the men from Foxwood, representing England, and the men from Pinchfield, representing Germany, are concerned about what they will gain from the fight. They want to turn Jones’ misfortunes to their own advantage. Orwell is equally critical of the animals. Napoleon is most interested in gaining power from the battle, as from every situation. Most of the animals join the fight without any clear idea as to why; they do not understand its purpose or meaning. Later the animal “masses” will realize that they have been duped by their leaders, but it will be too late to take any meaningful action. CHAPTER 5 Chapter 5 opens with

Mollie being taken to task by Clover for her misbehavior. Unable to take the criticism, she disappears and is never seen by the animals again. The remaining animals then get down to business. It is decided that the Pigs should decide the farm policies, which will be ratified by a majority vote. All might have gone well if Snowball and Napoleon could have agreed; instead, they dispute every point and develop their own followings. Snowball’s brilliant speeches win him the majority of support, and his followers shout “four legs good, two legs bad” at crucial moments in his speeches. Snowball very eruditely talks about field drains, silage, and laborsaving devices. Napoleon has no such plans, but claims that “Snowball’s schemes would come to nothing”. The biggest bone of

contention between them, however, is the windmill. After a survey, Snowball declares that a windmill would help supply the farm with electric power, which, in turn, could run fantastic machines like chaff- cutters. As always, he is interested in improving the welfare of all the animals. Within a few weeks Snowball works out the plans for the windmill. All the animals come to have a look at them except Napoleon, who slyly urinates on Snowball’s masterpiece. The farm becomes divided over the subject of the windmill. Although Snowball agrees there are difficulties with it, he believes they could all be overcome within a year. Napoleon, on the other hand, tries to divert attention from the windmill question, by stressing the need for food production. He warns that if they waste

time on the windmill, everyone may starve. The animals listen to both leaders and find themselves in agreement with the one who is speaking at the moment. Snowball wants the issue of the Windmill to be put to a vote, and Napoleon calls the idea nonsense. Snowball, with his usual eloquence, is about to sway the vote in his favor when Napoleon calls his nine enormous dogs into the barn. They attack Snowball and chase him out, never to be seen again. Napoleon mounts the platform and announces that the Sunday meetings will come to an end, except for the saluting of the flag and the singing of “Beasts of England.” He also explains that a special committee will be formed to convey decisions to the masses. From this point forward in the book, Napoleon becomes the undisputed leader