Chapter+7



Chapter 7
SUMMARY:

Chapter 7 begins with the animal’s struggle to rebuild the windmill with cold weather and harsh working conditions. Through the winter struggle, starvation seemed just around the corner for the farm. Napoleon is becoming less available, and more ruthless as he starts to thin the food rations for the animals, all while lying to the animals and producing false claims. Napoleon declared that Snowball has been in hiding in one of the neighboring farms, but is never specific about which one. Then it was “claimed” that Snowball had been sneaking into the farm at night stealing and causing destruction. All the farm’s problems are blamed on Snowball. Squealer eventually claims that Snowball is in league with Mr. Jones and Pinchfield Farm whom was planning on attacking animal farm but Boxer disagrees on the matter. Soon after, Napoleon discovers animals in the farm who were secretly in touch with Snowball and they are slaughtered as an example. Then, the song Beasts of England was soon banned and a small new poem was composed for the animals to sing every Sunday. Napoleon declares the rebellion completed.

PARALLELS:

Windmill vs. Five year plan:

Napoleon declares that a windmill is necessary on the farm, sentencing the animals on the farm into 60 hour work weeks. The constructing of the machine took priority to any other tasks, but promised shorter work weeks and simplification of everyday tasks with the introduction of a new idea; electricity. This plan resembles Stalin's 5 year plan that proposed to build up of Russia's industries. The plan included the production of the Kolkhoz, a collective farming system that stretched over thousands of acres, but required the work of hundreds of peasants. This process of collective farming destroyed the working peasants, and millions of animals as farmers sacrificed their animals instead of farms. The disruption led many Russian districts into a famine that killed millions. Similarly, the production on the windmill took the animals attention away from their other duties, and crop production became scarce. The animals grew hungry, barely having enough food to get by on.

Wood negotiations vs. WW II treaties:

Whymper advised that Napoleon sell a pile of timber to neighboring farms. Both Pinklington of Foxwood and Frederick of Pitchfield were interested in buying the wood. During the second World War, Russia discussed forming treaties with both the Allies and Germany. The two opposing sides were left to fight for Russia's Alliance, just as the two neighboring farms had to fight for who would buy Animal Farm's wood. As Napoleon would begin to settle an agreement with one farmer, rumors would surface of Snowball hiding in the opposing farm.

Stalin's vs. Napoleon's Purging

Napoleon completed the "final step" in the revolution by cleaning the farm out of any "enemies". The leader first had the pigs admit to collaborating with Snowball to destroy the Windmill. Napoleon’s loyal dogs rip the throats out of these pigs, then of all other animals that began confessing to ridiculous crimes against Animalism. Joseph Stalin preformed similar cleansing of the Soviet government. Stalin would torture enemies to confess crimes that were never committed, many of which involved support of the exiled Leon Trotsky. The individuals would be killed upon admitting the crimes. Boxer is the only animal that is mainly speaking up on Snowball's behalf, and clearly remembers the past. Napoleon has his dogs attack the horse, as he views Boxer's memory as a threat to his power and lies .

=== QUOTES: ===

"...well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time" (84)America and surrounding countries hated Russia and were waiting for them to mess up. We knew Russia could not succeed at the goals they set for themselves. Just like the animals strived to prove to the humans that they could rebuild the mill, Russia wanted to prove to the other countries that they would not fail. "Starvation seemed to stare them in the face. It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world." (85) In January, famine was widespread; food was taken away from the peasants to keep up grain exports for money. The workers would be given rations of food instead of money. The food was used as a distraction from the loss of money. Peasants were forced to eat whatever was given to them. "They were always cold and usually hungry as well."This also represents the peasants and the way they felt. They never had enough food or blankets or anything they wanted. "If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip, all equal, each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak." (95)This represents the way they wanted Russia to be. Communism destroys the upper, middle and lower classes. With communism, everybody is equal which is what the animals want. Obviously it would please the lower class, because they would receive more than they work for, but the upper class would lose what they worked for to keep everybody equal. "Whatever happened she would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon." (95)Russia had to accept their leader whether they liked it or not. The lower had no choice but to listen to the upper class because they carried all power. The animals agreed to accept this because they were full of fear and it gave them security to have somebody in power.

Creating Unity on Animal Farm

Napoleon unites the animals by forming a common goal, common enemy and a common hero. Since Mr. Jones was driven out of the farm, he no longer posed a threat and a new enemy must be created. Using propaganda, Napoleon convinced all the animals on the farm that Snowball was out to destroy the windmill and the entire farm. Squealer even had the animals believing that Snowball worked with Mr. Jones prior to the Revolution. The windmill gave the animals a common goal to work toward, as it would make their lives easier in the future and for the animals of future generations. The animals knew the work was hard and could only be accomplished with consistent tem work. The member of Animal farm believed Napoleon was their hero. The pig was saving them from the enemy and promised his rule was necessary to making life better and to prevent Jones from returning. With a common enemy, goal, and hero, the Animals had motivation to work towards any task that Napoleon wanted them to.

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