Animal Farm Chapters 5-6 Overview

Questions and Answers

What did Molly do wrong and where did she finally go?

She allowed one of the men to stroke her nose. She was later seen in town wearing a ribbon and eating sugar.

Describe the violent debates that began to take place between Snowball and Napoleon.

Snowball and Napoleon agreed on almost nothing. Snowball won the majority with his speeches while Napoleon would look for support between the meetings.

What did Napoleon train the sheep to do with '4 legs bad, 2 legs good'?

To speak up during Snowball's speeches so he could not be heard.

Describe the controversy over the windmill. Why would the animals be in favor of it? Who was against it and why? Who didn't take a side on it?

The windmill idea was proposed by Snowball, but Napoleon was against it. The windmill would supply electricity and heat and do much of the work currently done by the animals, but it would take a great deal of work to build it. Signup and view all the answers

How did Napoleon ruin Snowball's plans?

He urinated on them. Signup and view all the answers

When Napoleon and Snowball disagreed on defense tactics, with whom did the animals agree?

The animals seemed to agree with whoever was speaking. Signup and view all the answers

What happened just as Snowball had the animals agreeing with him?

Napoleon had his nine dogs chase Snowball off the farm. Signup and view all the answers

Where had the nine dogs come from?

They were Jessie and Bluebell's puppies. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Sunday meetings?

They ended. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Squealer sent around to explain the new setup?

Squealer was the representative sent to keep the animals happy. Signup and view all the answers

How did the animals react to Squealer's explanations?

They believed Squealer mostly out of fear of Jones coming back. Signup and view all the answers

What is Boxer's new motto?

Napoleon is always right. Signup and view all the answers

What did the animals now have to show reverence?

Old Major's skull. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important that Napoleon, Squealer, and Minimus now sit above the other animals?

This is symbolic of the pigs' rise in power. Signup and view all the answers

What do the animals learn three weeks later?

The windmill was to be built after all. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Napoleon say he pretended to be against the windmill?

To get rid of Snowball, who he considered dangerous and a bad influence. Signup and view all the answers

Who helps Squealer persuade the animals that Napoleon was right?

The dogs. Signup and view all the answers

In August, Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sundays. It would be strictly voluntary, but what would happen if the animals did not work?

Their rations would be reduced. Signup and view all the answers

The animals were learning like slaves on the windmill, yet they were happy. Why?

They felt like they were working for their own food. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main problem with building the windmill, and how was it solved?

They were not able to break the stones. They ended up dropping them from the top of the quarry. Signup and view all the answers

How did Boxer lend extra help with the windmill?

Boxer's strength was essential in dragging the stones up the hill. Signup and view all the answers

Everything was operating smoothly until the animals discovered shortages of what?

Paraffin oil, nails, string, dog biscuits, iron for horseshoes. Signup and view all the answers

What new policy did Napoleon announce regarding obtaining articles the farm needed?

They would begin trading with neighboring farms. Signup and view all the answers

What things might have to be sold in order to buy things for the windmill?

Hay, wheat, eggs. Signup and view all the answers

How would the dealings with humans be accomplished? What is a broker?

The broker, Mr. Whymper, would be used as a go-between. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mr. Whymper.

He was smart enough to realize he could make good commissions. He was very sly. Signup and view all the answers

Who set the record straight that the animals never had passed a rule against dealing with humans?

Squealer. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the humans now calling the farm by its new name?

Because they developed a certain respect for the animals' efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

What rumors are circulating about Napoleon and his business agreements?

That he was about to enter into a direct agreement with either Frederick or Pilkington. Signup and view all the answers

The pigs moved where? Why is this important?

The pigs moved into the house. They are becoming more like humans that they supposedly despise. Signup and view all the answers

How did Squealer manipulate the language of the fourth commandment?

He said the commandment was only against beds with sheets. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the pigs get up an hour later now?

Because the work is being done by others and the pigs get more privileges now. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the windmill when it was half built?

It was found in ruins. Signup and view all the answers

What do you believe happened to the windmill? Who is being blamed?

Snowball. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 5-6 Overview

Molly displayed disloyalty to Animal Farm by allowing a human to pet her and was later seen in town flaunting a ribbon and indulging in sugar.
Snowball and Napoleon engaged in heated debates, with Snowball often outshining Napoleon in speeches, while Napoleon sought alliances discreetly.
Napoleon trained the sheep to shout "Four legs good, two legs bad" during Snowball's speeches to drown him out.

Windmill Debate and Aftermath

The windmill concept originated from Snowball, aimed at providing electricity and reducing manual labor, but Napoleon opposed it, viewing it as labor-intensive.
Napoleon urinated on Snowball’s plans, signaling his contempt and foreshadowing his rejection of Snowball's ideas.
When disagreements arose concerning defense strategies, animals frequently sided with the last speaker they heard.

Power Dynamics

As Snowball began to rally support, Napoleon unleashed his dogs, forcing Snowball to flee the farm.
The nine dogs were the offspring of Jessie and Bluebell, raised under Napoleon’s influence to serve as enforcers.
Sunday meetings were abolished, effectively silencing the democratic process among the animals.

Propaganda and Control

Squealer emerged as the chief propagandist, tasked with reassuring the animals and maintaining their loyalty through fear of human return.
Boxer's new personal motto became "Napoleon is always right," indicating blind loyalty to leadership.
The animals began revering Old Major's skull as a symbol of their ideology, manipulated by the pigs who now symbolically elevated their status above other animals.

Changing Narratives and Economy

After a delay, it was announced that the windmill would indeed be constructed, contradicting prior opposition.
Napoleon's apparent initial disapproval of the windmill was a strategic maneuver to eliminate Snowball from competition.
During August, Napoleon introduced voluntary Sunday work, but warned that failure to participate would lead to rations being cut, fostering coercion disguised as choice.

Labor and Resources

Despite harsh working conditions on the windmill, the animals felt fulfilled, believing they were laboring for their own sustenance.
The primary challenge in windmill construction involved breaking rocks, resolved by dropping them from heights.
Boxer’s immense strength became a vital asset in the construction efforts, exemplifying the dedication of the working class.

Resource Management and Trade

Shortages of essential items like paraffin oil and nails emerged, prompting Napoleon to announce trade with neighboring farms.
To acquire necessary resources for the windmill’s completion, potential sales of crops such as hay and eggs were considered.
Mr. Whymper was contracted as a broker to facilitate dealings with humans, bridging the gap between Animal Farm and human society.

Public Perception and Hypocrisy

Animals learned that there was no prior prohibition against human interactions, a fact Squealer used to shift narratives.
Humans began to refer to the farm using a new name as they recognized its improved efficiency, paradoxically admiring it while retaining their disdain for its inhabitants.
Rumors of Napoleon’s impending agreements with neighboring farmers, either Frederick or Pilkington, created suspicion and intrigue.

Pigs' Transformation

The pigs’ relocation to the farmhouse signified their increasing resemblance to the humans they once vowed to overthrow.
Squealer justified changes to the Fourth Commandment, claiming it only prohibited beds with sheets, illustrating their manipulation of foundational rules.
Pigs were now waking an hour later, enjoying luxuries denied to other animals, highlighting their discrepancy in privileges and hard labor.

Windmill Setbacks

The windmill's progress came to a halt when it was discovered in ruins, prompting speculation and shifting blame towards Snowball for sabotage.

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Description

Explore the pivotal moments in Chapters 5 and 6 of 'Animal Farm' where loyalty and power struggles unfold. Witness the dynamics between Snowball and Napoleon, and the implications of the windmill debate that shaped the future of Animal Farm. This quiz challenges your understanding of these crucial chapters of the story.