Discussion: Chapters 7-8 Animal Farm

Food shortage “Napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand, which was then covered up with what remained of the grain and meal,” (Orwell 75). Why is it important that there appears to be a full food supply? Is it more important to trick the outside world or those that live on Animal Farm? Why?

Sacrifice “Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs, which smashed to pieces on the floor,” (76). Under the original ideas behind Animalism, who owned the eggs? Do you think the hens knew what would happen to them? Was their point proven or not?

Clover “If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race,” (86). What was it that they had tried to accomplish? Who is at fault for the fact that they did not accomplish their goals?

persuasion “In his speeches, Squealer would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon’s wisdom, the goodness of his heart, and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere, even and especially the unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms,” (93). How much of this do you believe to be true? Why do you think Napoleon keeps himself hidden and out of the public eye?

In the middle “[A] scrap of paper from Pilkington. On it was pencilled the words: ‘Serves you right,’” (102). Did Napoleon deserve this response? Why? Did the rest of Animal Farm? Why? Have you ever put yourself in a situation similar to this?