Animal Farm Chapter 6 Opening of Chapter 6

Animal Farm Chapter 6

Opening of Chapter 6: Why is this ironic? What kind? “All that year the animals worked like slaves. But they were happy in their work; they grudged no effort to sacrifice, well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them, and not for a pack of idle, thieving human beings”

Chapter 6: Question 1 ⦿Voluntary work on Sundays • If you did not, your food rations were cut ⦿Animals eager to take more work because it is for their own benefit ⦿Hens called upon to give their eggs

Chapter 6: Question 2 ⦿Pigs now live and sleep in farm house ⦿Fourth Commandment changed • “No animal shall sleep in a bedwith sheets” ⦿Squealer says it was necessary for the pigs who did the brainwork ⦿Uses fear, “Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back? ”

Chapter 6: Question 3 ⦿Engaging in trade with Mr. Whymper: • Used to obtain needed goods such as iron, nails, oil, machinery for the windmill as well as paraffin oil and dog biscuits • Napoleon decided to sell stack of hay and part of wheat crop

Chapter 6: Question 3 continued ⦿Animals’ reaction: • Caused concern among the animals who believed such actions were a violation of Animalism(Old Major’s teachings--don’t engage in trade) ⦿Squealer suggests it’s something that the animals “dreamed” ⦿“Have you any record of such a resolution? Is it written down anywhere? ” • targets the animals illiteracy

Chapter 6: Questions 4 and 5 ⦿Storm destroys windmill • It was built with walls too thin ⦿Napoleon accuses Snowball : need a scapegoat • Unites the comrades against a common enemy (builds group identity and cohesiveness) ⦿Rebuilding Windmill • Prevents animals from being discouraged • Keeps them busy

The Need for a Scapegoat ⦿Many psychologists say humansneed something to love and something to hate ⦿It aides in building a group identity: “US” You can’t know happiness without sadness. You can’t know YOU without THEM ⦿It allows us to project our own negative qualities onto others ⦿It aides in building group cohesiveness

Napoleon’s Leadership: His changes are small and incremental so that there appears to be no change at all He changes: • The commandment • Their workload • The view of Snowball’s influence on the farm

Emerging Themes ⦿ “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” ⦿ �Propaganda as a form of manipulation ⦿ �Importance of knowledge/Danger of ignorance �

Chapter 6 Key Events ⦿Boxer emerges and the most important animal on the farm • “Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer…” • He works more than any other animal ⦿Only Benjamin refuses to get enthusiastic about the windmill • Represents the people who were cynical and skeptical abou the rebellion