Animal Farm Essay Research Paper SETTING The — страница 9

Notes Orwell seems to have written this chapter with Russian history in mind. The food problems of the animals in the book parallel Russia’s economic problems in the 1920’s and the famine thereafter. In August, 1936, the Communist Party under Stalin tried, accused, and executed many high ranking officials on a charge that they were Trotskyists, just as Napoleon executes the animals for being influenced by Snowball. Trotsky himself was earlier expelled from Russia, just as Snowball is expelled from the farm. Napoleon has become just like Stalin or any other dictator. He hides the ugly truth from the outside world. He makes Whymper believe that their supplies are plentiful and all is going well on the farm. He refuses to allow any animal to question his power and uses the dogs

to keep his subjects under control. He separates himself from the masses and appears only ceremoniously, almost like a god. He threatens his subjects with the return of Snowball and Jones, whom he has made into totally fearful beings. He shows his strength by publicly executing those who betray him. The only release that the animals have is to throw themselves more fully into their work. The substitution of the nostalgic song of rebellion by Minimus’s mild new song is grudgingly accepted by the animals, just as they have learned to accept their plight in life. Their dream of equality, freedom, and democracy is shattered; in its place, they find terror, deprivation, and totalitarianism. CHAPTER 8 In this chapter, the lives of the animals worsen. They receive just enough food to

make them work, and Napoleon takes advantage of them at every turn. But Farmer Frederick also takes advantage of Napoleon. When he decides to sell timber on the advice of Whymper, Frederick agrees to pay a sum of 12 pounds. Frederick wants to pay by check, but Napoleon insists on cash payment in five-pound notes. Frederick pays up and carts away the timber. Three days later, Napoleon learns that the notes are forged. He pronounces a death sentence upon Frederick and wants to boil him alive. Expressing his fear of attack from the humans, Napoleon tells the animals to be prepared for an attack. The offensive comes while they are at breakfast. Fifteen men with half a dozen guns open fire on the farm. Napoleon and Boxer try their best to inspire the animals, but they find it

difficult to retaliate. Many of them are wounded and run back to the farm buildings. The enemies capture the farm and the windmill, which Frederick blasts with a dynamo. On seeing their windmill destroyed, the animals are incited to retaliate with a vengeance. In the battle, two geese are killed, and many cows and sheep are injured. Napoleon is wounded in the tail. Finally, the fierce dogs force the men to take flight, but not until the animals have paid a heavy price. In spite of the losses, Napoleon orders that the animals rejoice in their victory. The flag is hoisted and tributes are paid. Napoleon makes a speech and names the fight the ‘Battle of Windmill’. Notes In spite of their many troubles, the animals refuse to believe that they are not living a utopian existence.

They are constantly told by Napoleon and Squealer that their life on Animal Farm is much better than what they had before. They believe the propaganda, in spite of the fact that they are more hungry than they ever had been when Farmer Jones was their owner. When they are attacked by humans, however, they are at first too tired and hungry to react. When Frederick destroys their windmill, which is their pride and joy, he forces them to retaliate. They fight with a vengeance and succeed in driving the farmers away. Napoleon, in his typical dictatorial stance, orders them to celebrate the Battle of Windmill, which seems to be reflective of the German invasion of Russia during World War II. Throughout the chapter, Napoleon is portrayed as a despicable tyrant, constantly displaying his

power to his subjects. He perpetually lies to the animals, continues to change the amendments to suit his desires, requires a public celebration of his birthday, gives himself additional titles, and treats himself to drinking whiskey, which is strictly forbidden. Napoleon also tries to set farmer against farmer, but the plan backfires. He is tricked by Frederick when he is paid for timber with counterfeit money. Napoleon vows revenge; ironically, it is the humans that gain most of the revenge during the battle. CHAPTER 9 Chapter 9 opens with Boxer’s heel, which was bitten by the dogs, taking a long time to heal. In spite of the injury, he refuses to take even one day off from the work of rebuilding the windmill. He wants to see it completed before his retirement. When the rules