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Questions and Answers
What does the song 'Beasts of England' list?
What does the song 'Beasts of England' list?
The song lists the symbols of slavery - rings, harnesses, bits, spurs, and whips.
By the end of the novel, what is Napoleon carrying?
By the end of the novel, what is Napoleon carrying?
A whip.
How do the humans control the animals at the start of the book?
How do the humans control the animals at the start of the book?
Humans use guns to control the animals.
After the Battle of the Cowshed, what does the gun that Mr. Jones leaves become?
After the Battle of the Cowshed, what does the gun that Mr. Jones leaves become?
What happens when Napoleon takes up weapons again?
What happens when Napoleon takes up weapons again?
What do the animals initially use violence to achieve?
What do the animals initially use violence to achieve?
What is the flag a symbol of?
What is the flag a symbol of?
In the final chapter, what is removed from the flag?
In the final chapter, what is removed from the flag?
What does the key quote 'Cruel whips no more shall crack' signify?
What does the key quote 'Cruel whips no more shall crack' signify?
Where are Old Major's ideas passed on through?
Where are Old Major's ideas passed on through?
Why does Napoleon have poems written?
Why does Napoleon have poems written?
What happens to the rituals introduced by the animals?
What happens to the rituals introduced by the animals?
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Study Notes
Symbols of Slavery
- 'Beasts of England' lists symbols of oppression like rings, harnesses, bits, spurs, and whips.
- Post-revolution, these symbols are discarded as a way for animals to feel free, yet they still remain under control.
Napoleon's Transformation
- By the end, Napoleon carries a whip, indicating a return to oppressive rule and mirroring human tyranny.
Guns and Violence
- Initially, humans control the animals through guns, which symbolize oppression.
- Following the revolution, the animals destroy weapons to liberate themselves from human control.
Gun Symbolism after Battle
- Mr. Jones' abandoned gun becomes a symbol of animal victory, displayed at the flagpole and fired annually to commemorate the rebellion and Battle of the Cowshed.
Humanization of Napoleon
- Napoleon’s resumption of weapon use signifies his complete transformation into a tyrant, mirroring the very humans they overthrew.
Initial Use of Violence
- Animals use violence to instigate change, but it remains a societal norm, illustrating the dangers of Napoleon's violent tendencies.
The Flag's Symbolism
- The flag represents the animals' freedom; green signifies the fields, while hoof and horn symbolize unity among the animals.
Changes to the Flag
- In the final chapter, the removal of the hoof and horn from the flag symbolizes the loss of power among the working animals, reflecting the transformation of the Soviet symbol into a meaningless entity.
Key Quote Significance
- The line "Cruel whips no more shall crack" is sung by Major but is contradicted by Napoleon's eventual embrace of the whip, highlighting the betrayal of revolutionary ideals.
Role of Songs and Propaganda
- 'Beasts of England' starts as a unifying anthem representing hope but becomes a tool for lack of freedom and control as Napoleon's tyranny grows.
Reinforcement of Power through Song
- Napoleon's poems remind animals of his dominance and present him in a favorable light; they reinforce his control over the less-educated animals, notably Boxer and the sheep.
Meaninglessness of Rituals
- Initially, rituals celebrate animal bravery but become hollow as Napoleon awards himself honors with no merit, illustrating the degradation of the animals' original values.
- Weekly ceremonies become tools for self-glorification by Napoleon, turning meaningful celebrations into mechanisms of control and propaganda.
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