Animal Farm Chapter 5

In class assignment-complete in 30 minutes. Read ch. 5. Be prepared to summarize key events. Annotate on a post-it. Keep the post-it on the page you annotated. Your post-it notes should include the page # and one or more of the following notes: ?=confusing part ***=something of importance (satirical element)

Chapter 5 Summary Snowball wants to build a windmill; Napoleon does not. They also disagree about spreading rebellion to neighboring farms. Before the animals can vote about building the windmill Napoleon calls out nine ferocious dogs, who chase Snowball off the farm. Napoleon then announces that all debates will stop and institutes a number of other new rules for the farm.

Allegory for Russian Revolution transfer of power Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky battled for the leadership of the communist party. Stalin won. In 1927 Stalin expelled Trotsky from the party and the country just like Napoleon did to Snowball In 1940 Trotsky was assassinated, under Stalin’s orders. Stalin Trotsky 

Russian Revolution – KGB/Secret Police/Cheka Personal body guards to Stalin Created to prevent against any counter-revolutionary activity after communism took over Russia Used any means necessary to keep “social order”

Napoleon’s dogs-(Orwell’s parody of KGB, Cheka, and secret police in general) Napoleon’s enforcers Used to instill fear in other animals Taken from their parents when they were puppies and raised by Napoleon A part of his strategy to control the animals

Other Allegorical Connections Lenin’s Body laying in state—January 1924 The body is still visible in Moscow The Mausoleum is open every day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, except holidays, Mondays and Fridays

Satire of the Russian practice Old Major’s skull was dug up and placed at the foot of the flagstaff for the animals to pay their respects.

Squealer’s Propaganda (Orwell’s parody of propaganda used to control the masses) Squealer is used to explain Napoleon’s actions Says it was a sacrifice on Napoleon’s part to take on so much extra responsibility “No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal.” p. 55 Says it’s for the animals own good that Napoleon rule “He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions … and then where should we be?” p.55

HOMEWORK due Mon. 1/13 Complete a Double Entry Journal (DEJ) for chapter 5 3 pieces of textual evidence of satire PLUS your analysis

Orwell’s claims Poor Memory of the past makes the people easier to control Lack of knowledge or education makes it impossible to speak out against injustice Boxer-“…in the end he could not think of anything to say.” p. 54 Blind loyalty to one’s leaders is dangerous “Napoleon is always right”