Hi howz it going "Napoleon"...

This my first time that I'am doing this, so Iam kind of confused... anyway, as you
would probably know my name is Mr X (tkay)...there were various reasons for why I
choose to do this topic- Napoleon...

1. Considering Napoleon is Orwell's chief villain in Animal Farm (the name

Napoleon comes from a dictator of France) I want to learn more about him and his
actions...

2.Explore notions of power.

3.learn about: why did, Orwell think- “ socialism is good as an ideal, it can never be
successfully adopted due to uncontrollable sins of human nature."

4.Learn about control and the corruptive influence of absolute power.

5. Develop/gain more knowledge about socialism and dictatorship.

Nothing fascinates me more than these quotes and sayings...

As Lord Acton, an English historian and moralist said. "Power tends to corrupt;
absolute power corrupts absolutely."

As Abraham Lincoln once said “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want
to test a man's character, give him power.”- area where Napoleon failed...although
Napoleon seems as first to be a good leader, he is eventually overcome by greed and
soon becomes power-hungry...

So im really pleased, excited, and looking forward to this project...if there is anything
I can do, be sure to let me know..

Cheers

Mr X

Hi Mr X. Thanks for sending through the introduction task. I really like your
explanation for choosing to be part of the NAPOLEON group! As you are interested
in exploring notions of power the character's withing Animal Farm fail to disappoint.
We not only see varying power structures emerge but we will begin to see the
corruption and the abuse of power that exists too! It's clear to me that you have
already covered research of your own particularly regarding Orwell. We might
discover that he is certainly pushing his own agenda as he tells his story. Next step
now is that you add your responses to the questions 1 and 2 below!
Thanks! Napoleon

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER AFTER READING CHAPTER 1 AND CHAPTER 2

What are the basic principles of Animalism? Why are they important in a time of
massive social change?

In what ways is Old Major an ideal leader? Do you think his ideas are practical? Why
or why not?

1.The system of Animalism is based around thoughts and ideas of old major, looking
at the perspective of how animals should live life. This system, consists of many rules
and regulations (basic principles), such as-

-Whatever goes upon two les is an enemy.

-Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend.

-No animal shall wear clothes.

-No animal shall sleep in a bed.

-No animal shall drink alcohol.

-No animal shall kill any other animal.

-All animals are equal.

In my opinion these principles were quite important at the time of such a

"MASSIVE" social change, as these set things right (straight forward) for other
animals on the farm. As well in this period of what I’ll call- revolution of
(totalitarianism), principles made boundaries for animals, resulting them to think in
the perspective of things that an "Animal Rebellion" should consist of in order to keep
away from mankind and his cruel ways (habits).

2. Even though it might look like that Old Major doesn't play an important role in this
book, yet in my opinion I feel - he is nothing less than a main character. The reason
behind my thinking is because if it hadn't been for his explanation on- "nature of life",
none of this rebellion or revolution would have taken place.

From my point of view I do sincerely believe that yes, old major was an ideal leader
as....
- he was quite old, meaning he had seen more things and had heaps and heaps of
experience within him... as someone once said “Experience without theory is blind,
but theory without experience is mere intellectual play.”

-he cared about equality(fairness) among the animals.

-he used his power in the right way, and made the most use out of it in the correct
manner...as one of the most influential man that I have read about -Eric hoffer once
quoted “The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future.”

In my opinion Old Major's ideas were practical in most ways, only if you managed to
look from the perspective of an animal- the way they got treated, and all the cruel
things that humans did to them. I think that they had -all the rights to make humans
their enemy, and have hatred for them. This resulted Old Major to come up with ideas
where animals and humans should life separate life’s.

Old Major warns - , "Your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you
astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common
interest....we must not come to resemble him...No animal must ever live in a house or
sleep in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or
engage in trade."

Hey napoleon, this is great I didn't know that 2 people could edit at the same
time...this is pretty good mean of communication...lol...Also editing now: teacher
napoleon....By the way in my starting paragraph I was writing in informal language,
but it seems whoever you are you seem to love english, so I'll start writing in formal
language...lol...

An incredibly insightful response Mr X, Well done! I also appreciate that you are
now writing in formal language! You have demonstrated your strong understanding
of the novel! I will continue to add to the "Welcome" document that I have shared
amongst all of our members. Remember the key component of Animalism is that
animals should NEVER grow to resemble humans.. we can see that the pigs certainly
go back on the oath they have sworn as animals.

Something extra for you comarade, what do you think of the way in which the
relationship between Snowball and Napoleon is constantly contested. What would
Old Major be thinking of this?

Thank you Nap, for your feedback - really appreciate it.....what’s with me becoming
comarade???...Well I’ am only going to do extra work, once my ration has gets
doubled, and I’ am serious about it…Extra Work = Double The Ration…Deal...
Someone certainly understands the system of Animal Farm! who is someone???
How are the ideals of Animalism sacrificed in Chapter 3?

What is the impact of the Battle of the Cowshed? Why is it significant in Animal
Farm's history?

1. Good example of an ideal of Animalism being sacrificed in chapter 3 of Animal

Farm is of, when the animals realise, to their indignation and shock, that the pigs have
been taking all of the milk and apples for themselves. The reason for why I would say
that this is wrong because it was one of the commandments- All animals are equal,
and it was Old Major’s, major concern about equality (fairness) among the animals.
This becomes more obvious later in the story when Squealer explains to the animals
that pigs need milk and apples in order to think well, and since the pigs' work is
brainwork, it is in everyone's best interest for the pigs to eat the apples and drink the
milk (sounding as though pigs are most superior and if it wouldn’t had been for them,
then everything would be lost). Later Squealer goes on threatening the animals -
should the pigs' brains fail because of a lack of apples and milk, Mr. Jones might
come back to take over the farm. Prospect frightens the other animals, and they agree
to forgo milk and apples in the interest of the collective good.

Isn't the character of Squealer intriguing! He is constantly manipulating the other

animals and they BELIEVE him...Yes I agree with you Comarade !
2. News of Animal Farm spreads across half the county. Mr. Pilkington and Mr.
Frederick, who own the adjoining farms, fear that disenchantment will spread among
their own animals. In order to stop this rebellion from spreading through other farms,
the farmers decide to go on a war (fight) against the animals on Animal Farm. The
human race march to the farm equipped with various weapons, including guns. But
thanks to the intelligence level of Snowball, who had studied books about the battle
campaigns of the renowned Roman general- Julius Caesar, he prepares a defence and
leads the animals in an ambush on the mankind. Many of the animals showed bravery,
and courage whilst fighting, which resulted the humans to suffer a quick defeat. First
time ever had a group of animals’ defeated humans in a fight! This was a miracle. The
animals' losses amount only to a single sheep, whom they give a hero's burial.
Snowball and Boxer each received medals with the inscription “Animal Hero, First
Class.” The animals discovered Mr. Jones's gun where he dropped it in the mud. They
place it at the base of the flagstaff, agreeing to fire it twice a year: on October 12th,
the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed—as they have dubbed their victory—
and on Midsummer's Day, the anniversary of the Rebellion. This battle not only had a
major effect on animals in Animal Farm (giving them a new hope, “that no matter
what troubles lie ahead, we (animals) will do whatever we can to protect this holy
land”), but also those from other neighbouring farms.

Whilst I was researching I came across this site Animal Farm. It might help those who
are struggling with understanding the book Animal Farm.... that's great Mr X! Why
don't you create a doc and share it with the boys I have included in the email I have
sent to all active participants just now.

Create what doc??...iam sorry im not concentrating well...I have got other things in
my mind -captaincy that i have to do tomorrow... create a new google doc and explain
about the link you found on Animal farm! All the best with captaining tomorrow - go
and get some sleep!
Thankyou! yeah I'll do that...its funny, you telling me to sleep...

Relationship Between Snowball and Napoleon - Something extra for you comarade,
what do you think of the way in which the relationship between Snowball and
Napoleon is constantly contested. What would Old Major be thinking of this?
At a first glance, Snowball and Napoleon appear to be relatively alike, but there are,
in fact, several differences between them. The relationship surrounding Snowball and
Napoleon in George Orwell’s Animal Farm tends to be on rocky grounds. Snowball is
a clever pig, tends to be loyal, brave, and outgoing, and always seams to be thinking
ahead (few excellent qualities of a leader). Whereas Napoleon is boar, rude, wretched,
and full of greed (power hungry). Both have had their share of leadership on the farm,
yet both have had their share of conflict as well, resulting Napoleon to become jealous
of Snowball (as Snowball is most favoured).Most favoured by who exactly? Animals

In my opinion if Old Major had been alive, to witness the relationship between these
two extravagant pigs, he would have kicked himself. He would have thought, after all
the explanation that he gave about: the way rebellion should work, we have these two
pigs fighting to become a leader. This is all happening after he told the animals- “In
order to achieve something we all must work as a team”. Excellent quote and
reference to the text!

What do you think of this Napoleon....

Why was Mollie unable to accept Animal Farm? What is the impact of her departure?

How is Napoleon able to take control of Animal Farm?

What is the significance of the windmill? How does it impact the various characters in
the novella(novel)?

How does Napoleon utilise propaganda to further his success?

1. Mollie plays a minor role in the book of Animal Farm, yet she represents something
quite important, as she is one the animals that oppose the government under
Napoleon. As she is one of the illiterate animals, she doesn’t really care about politics,
rebellion, and the system of Animalism. The only things that matter to her are-
ribbons and sugar, two of the things that Animalism forbids from having. WHY?????
What exactly are they a reminder of? All of those thing reminded them of humans-
Mr.Jones This results Mollie unable to accept Animal Farm, and later in the book do
we find out that she has been seeing a human from a neighbouring farm, and when
she gets confronted with other animals (about this matter), she runs away from the
farm. By having Mollie run away like this, impact of her departure, and quitting of
Animalism. This caused a lot of animals to think of her as being a double agent.
Never was her name spoken at Animal Farm again.

2. When the animals take over the farm, they think it is the start of a better life. Their
dreams of a world where all animals are equal and all the property is shared. But soon
the pigs take control and one of them, Napoleon, becomes the leader of all the
animals.

Everything was going to plan until they had Snowball was amongst them. He was
developing profligate ideas (like windmill), in order to ease the amount of work from
the shoulders of animals. Even though animals weren’t smart enough to understand
his work, yet they were quite impressed by the amount and planning that had gone
into the project of constructing a windmill. But for some reason, like always
Napoleon ostracized and hated this idea. When the day for voting came, just after
Snowball had delivered quite an impressive speech on the idea of windmill, Napoleon
let out a high- pitched whimper. At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and
nine enormous dogs bounded into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who
lucky managed to run away, far away from the farm. At the sight of this many of the
animals were outraged, and stared to protest at Napoleon, but soon he was escorted by
the shield of nine dogs (who were more like beasts) standing around him. At the
spectacle of this "no animal had any guts to raise their voice against Napoleon". This
was only the start, as the days went on Napoleon gained more power, using force to
threaten others (a true quality of a dictator). Alongside force, he used his marionette-
Squealer, to manipulate thoughts and mindset of other animals, in order to take total
control of Animal Farm. You should identify when you are quoting from the text
using quotation marks!

3. The windmill shows significance- as animals used power of teamwork, and

individual determination, in order to build a windmill without any sort assistance from
humans or any of their electronic tools. The windmill symbolizes all the hard work of
animals put together, it shows how great things can be achieved, if we work hand in
hand with others (PBL - teamwork), and that there is no definition of “impossible” in
life (nothing is impossible). In real life the windmill represents the rapid
industrialisation pushed by communist regimes.

Windmill has great effect on animals in the book has for most of them building the
windmill is a lifetime goal- this is best represented by the attitude of Boxer towards
completing this project. He wakes up many hours before any other animals and starts
working on the site of windmill, and always he keeps reminding himself for working
harder.

4.In my opinion this is quite an interesting question, certainly it is one, which really
makes you think, can animals really be that foolish, they have a pig who has used
force to become their leader, and now he his altering and changing/breaking rules of
Animalism. All this is happening in front of their eyes, yet they think it’s all for their
greater good. The reason behind this is because, cleverly Napoleon has used Squealer
(who has a gift of talking) as a propagandist- a pig who is deliberately trying to
hoodwink animals, who uses half-truths, who lies, who suppresses, conceals, and
distorts the real facts. This manipulates animal’s opinions and effectively persuading
them for or against a cause. So even if he wanted to do act, which was forbidden by
the rules of Animalism, Napoleon would simply use propaganda and amend 7
commandments, in order for other animals to think no matter what he does is right.

Excellent understanding here! SO we are looking at the power to manipulate through

the distortion of facts! Isn't it obvious! lol Yes but I thought it was a nicely structured
sentence! right ta, cheers !

I hope all this answers your question, my leader - Comrade Napoleon...what do

think....and check out this slideshow - Snowball and Napoleon's Symbols ....

CHAP 7 + 8

What is the role of spectacle and performance in Chapter 7?

How does Napoleon create new traditions, which are different from the original
traditions of Animalism? What is the impact of these new traditions?

How significant is the destruction of the windmill? What are the short and long term
consequences?

1. Chapter 7, there is quite lot to be said about this portion of the book, from my
perspective this is the chapter where the foundation for the climax starts to build. This
is the very chapter where we get introduced to the term- “Execution”, and face the
saddening fact of killing animals, which confess to be in contact, or have been doing
various activities for Snowball.

As the winter hits Animal Farm, they become slow at constructing the windmill, and
soon fall short of rations (food). Napoleon says that he can detect “Snowball's
presence everywhere, and whenever something appears to go wrong by chance,
Snowball is behind it.” After few days, Napoleon suddenly calls for an assembly, and
soon enough he assembles all of the animals in the yard. Like always he gets ringed
by his so called bodyguards (dogs), and after few moments of casting threatening
looks at some of animals, he stages, and starts an investigation and purge: he forces
certain animals to confess to their participation in a conspiracy with Snowball and
then he get the dogs tear out these supposed traitors- throats. This act is cruel and vile,
and soon “presences of blood can be felt within Animal Farm”. As it was once told,
“No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is
ripe for execution.”
Chapter 7 is one of the most graphic and disturbing chapters of the entire book.. We
see Napoleon move beyond the seemingly mild acts of ensuring his power to the
horrific reign of terror. These animals were living in fear of him yet had to follow
him - they felt they had no choice. I'm not sure which chapter Orwell has crafted in a
more sophisticated and emotionally driven manner - this one or the one we read today
where we see Boxer taken away :( Hey....I was crying....reading about them

A few days after the abominable executions, the animals remembered talking about of
the commandment’s reading “No animal shall kill any other animal”, and to clear the
confusion they go and have a look at the commandment, which now read: “No animal
shall kill any other animal without cause.” As with the previous amendments of
commandments, the animals blame the apparent change on their faulty memories,
some how last two words must have slipped out of their mind...

The Original 7 commandments, which were first written by Snowball, looked like…

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

3. No animal shall wear clothes.

4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal.

7. All animals are equal.

Which then under the government of Napoleon changed into….

This change in tradition of Animalism really had no effect on animals, except for the
pigs (leaders). All it did was it gave the pigs more freedom: to live life and do things
like humans, which was strictly forbidden. In order for them, to accomplish this they
had altered with the commandments, manipulated the community’s mindset and
thoughts (by using squealer as a propagandist), and frightened any of the smart
animals (with his dogs).
3. After the destruction of the windmill the first time, the pigs convince the other
animals that it is in fact Snowball who destroys it. The pigs try to make Snowball look
guilty and they want the working animals to dislike Snowball at all costs. "Snowball
was in a league with Jones from the start! He was Jones's secret agent all the time,"
said Squealer. (Page 53) The windmill is a powerful object that is a symbol of
manipulation to show the pigs' control over the other animals. But then yet again their
windmill gets destroyed but this time humans do it, whilst they are in the battle.
Looking at the site of destruction: their hard work, falling down. This gives animals a
feeling of resentment, and from that, they loose all their fear, and attack toward
humans. Resulting them to win a loosing battle. Later on, when the celebrations, get
over they look towards the indulging task, which lay in front of them, and for some
animals this becomes their ultimate goal. This task was now going to take a long time
to complete, as so many years had passed, many of animals didn’t have the strength,
which they once had. Meaning hard times lay ahead, someone really had to step into
the footsteps of Boxer to get this project started and completed.

Our dream....

Hey Napoleon, I was wondering if could you could help me with assessing the
effectiveness of Orwell's use of a fable in critiquing Soviet Communism and
Stalinism.... FOr the essay to win the phone?yeah thats the one...but, I don't even
want the phone...I just want to answer such a challenging question (I love being
Challenged)... Sure thing :)...thankyou Your responses to ch 7 and 8 again -
brilliant!...wow thankyou.. Napoleon=BEST... but only in real life...

___________________________________________________
And so Napoleonites... the fact that we can learn the ways of humans are finally
achieved! One might wonder if our Rebellion and Revolution were successful! But
of course!!! they were only successful for the pigs, who learnt how to live life as
humans...whereas for other animals- Even though their mind was shouting for
"REST", yet they worked day and night and hardly recieved any rations....

What is the impact of Boxer's death?

Why are the animals so hesitant to take action against the pigs?

What is the impact of leaving the ending of Animal Farm vague? What do you think
happened after the final chapter of the novella?

1. Boxer is the animal who carries the whole farm on his shoulders, he has power and
dedication, which we know put together evolve into committed comrade. Even though
he his powerful, yet he is not an intelligent animal (recall his inability to learn any of
the alphabet past the letter D) and therefore he can only think in simple slogans, the
second of which “Napoleon is always right” reveals him to act like a robot, and easily
be slaved. Even when he collapses while rebuilding the windmill, his first thoughts
are not of himself but of the work: “It is my lung … it does not matter. I think you
will be able to finish the windmill without me.” His hopes of retiring with Benjamin
after his collapse display the extent of his innocence, since Napoleon has no intention
of providing for an old, infirm horse. In order to get rid of him he decides to lead him
to his death at the knacker’s (by the help of horse slaughter). Few days later it gets
confirmed that Boxer has died, this news shatters the hearts of animals on the farm.
This has a huge effect on the farm and its animals, as it was with Boxer’s help that
they had built the windmill twice, it was him who took the initiative to wake up early
and start the work on the windmill site. His power and commitment were an
inspiration to all the animals. With Boxer gone someone will really have to step into
his footsteps…

2. There are various reasons behind the fact that, animals to so hesitant to take action
against pigs…

· For starters other animals on the farm are illiterate....

- so even if Napoleon does something out of order, in their eyes it’s all good.

- even If we make an assumption that animals do win the fight against pigs, then how
is, or who is going to run the farm...Someone will have to lead the animals. I don’t
think that any uneducated animal will be able to do this.

· The physical force of the wild dogs, which are controlled by Napoleon and the
pigs, threaten the animals.

· Worried about things that their future might hold. (Fate that hen’s received)

3. What a book, what a finish - As sparknotes stateThe last chapter of Animal Farm
brings the novel to its logical, unavoidable, yet chilling conclusion. It is the chapter
when the pigs take total control of the farm and animals, their power and their
totalitarian, communist dictatorship completely overwhelms the democratic-socialist
ideal of Animal Farm (has it states in the last chapter: demolishing of flag, term
comrade, and changing the name of the farm). Napoleon and the other pigs have
become identical to the human farmers, which gets stated in the very last lines, “The
creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man
and again: but already it was impossible to say which was which”

Later in the book do we find out about the commandments, when Clover, asks
Benjamin to read the writing on the barn wall where the Seven Commandments were
originally inscribed. Only the last commandment remains: “all animals are equal.”
However, it now carries an addition: “but some animals are more equal than others.”

In my opinion it’s very hard to say what might happen in future, as Orwell's
conclusion is pessimistic with no possible solution in sight. But for the time being in
my perspective the animals at Manor Farm are going to continue living a miserable
life. Do you think the other animals might begin another rebellion? Do you think that
the fight over the card game between the pigs and humans indicate the falseness of
their speeches? There was a reason why I didn't go in-depth with this bit of the
question, as I had answered most of it in the discussion- Followers Of Napoleon and
answers to questions above.

- For starters other animals on the farm are illiterate, so even If we make an
assumption that animals do win the fight against pigs and begin another rebellion,
then how is, or who is going to run the farm???...Someone will have to lead the
animals. In my opinion none of the uneducated animals will be able to do this
(remembering that all of the NEW animals at the farm can't read or write). Not only
that, how will animals meet the strength of those cruel dogs... I really don't think that
there is any chance for animals to begin another rebellion.

-Animals witness: humans and pigs playing cards, flattering and praising each other
while cheating at the game, this act possibly representing the Tehran Conference,
which was held during world war2. Both Napoleon and Pilkington draw the Ace of
Spades, which in most games is the highest-ranking card (In my opinion this
represents two major leaders), later they begin fighting loudly. This may symbolize
the beginning of tension and arguement caused in between the U.S and Soviet
superpowers.

Hi Napoleon, THANKYOU SO MUCH !! for everything that you have done for me
in this first part project...thanks for all your comments and feedbacks, without them I
don't know what I would have done....anyways could you possibly tell me, on how do
you think I went in this first bit of the project- be honest....what would you rank my
work out of 10??-just so I can get an idea....
By the way, Mr.Hendry's question is SO hard, I swear I'm struggling...it has so,
so,so,so much to do with histroy based around politics in world war 2, this results it to
link or connect with other things and to get better understanding I keep going from
one ".........ism" to the other- trying to understand political language is so hard...also
that to you have to write minimum of 1,200 words...omg...how am I ever going to
finish...I need help...I have been brainstroming online since last 2 hours...another
latenight before a important match- NO!!! Is Mr Hendry flexible with the due date?
Friday week 6 You need to look at socialism in Russia - sure will, i have already
started my research. On pmonline there is a doc that inidicates who each of the
Animal Farm characters represent. That will help you! thankyou

ALSO - I have marked all of your work for this section - all up (from memory) your
total is 27/30! Well done!!!...Cheers, thankyou so much...possible to tell me the areas
where I would have lost marks ....

Hi howz it going "Napoleon"...