Animal Farm
By George Orwell
Chapters 5-7
Focus
In your reader’s notebook, discuss how you would feel if the rules for correct behavior kept
changing. Explain why you would feel that way. Then explain at least one method that is used to
get people to follow rules.
Background
Did You Know?
One of Orwell’s concerns about the Soviet state was that it used language to distort historical
events. After Stalin bullied Leon Trotsky out of the country, he systematically removed any trace
of Trotsky from Soviet history – took him out of photographs, censored his papers, and so on.
He also used Pravda, his news department, to control the information people received. In
chapters 5-7, Orwell repeatedly calls readers’ attention to both Napoleon’s manipulation and
animals’ willingness to believe him.
Power Struggle
In chapters 5-7, the battle for power between Snowball and Napoleon comes to its climax. In
Soviet history, a similar battle raged between two different men, Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Stalin
exercised power through regulations and rules. As its leader, he controlled the Communist Party
bureaucracy. Trotsky had proven himself a masterful military strategist and inspirational leader during
the Russian Civil War. He wanted to limit government power. The two also disagreed about h ow to
industrialize and whether to focus on Soviet or worldwide socialism. Stalin took control in 1925 – control
he kept largely through tactics of terror.
Set a Purpose
Read chapters 5-7 to find out how Napoleon persuades the other animals to follow his rules.
Questions for Chapters 5-7
Please respond to 15 of the 30 questions for chapters 5-7 on your own separate sheet of paper.
1. What was your reaction to Snowball’s expulsion from Animal Farm?
2. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How does
the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?
3. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals about
their role in future society?
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
4. How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon’s leadership, to its exploited state
under Farmer Jones’s rule? What attitude about totalitarian government do you think Orwell
conveys?
5. Do you think it is fair that those who are more educate or more skilled – like the pigs in Animal
Farm – have more influence in decision-making? Consider how decisions are made in your
community, state, or in the nation.
6. Why do you think that all of the animals do not rebel against the unjust treatment they receive
from their leaders?
7. A major conflict arises between Napoleon and Snowball over farm policy. How does it reflect
their differing goals as leaders?
8. What changes does Napoleon make immediately after the expulsion of Snowball? How do you
interpret the effect of increased power on Napoleon?
9. After Snowball’s expulsion, what is foreshadowed when Squealer tells the animals they
eventually will learn that Snowball’s heroism in battle was “much exaggerated”?
10. A character who acts as a contrast to another character is called a foil. How is Benjamin a foil for
Boxer?
11. What choices do the animals make that limit their individual freedom, tightening the noose of
oppression around their necks?
12. Locate two incidents that foreshadow the iron hand with which Napoleon takes control of the
farm.
13. Squealer’s propaganda defames Snowball and destroys the memory of his good works. Lies and
half-truths can sometimes be equally damaging. From your own experience or from conclusions
drawn by exposure to literature, film, and history, how can such language be harmful?
14. Re-read the trial and “execution of the traitors.” What was Napoleon’s motivation for this
purge? How is this event an analogy of particular events in history?
15. Satire ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about change.
How do the personalities of Boxer and Benjamin satirize the approach that many citizens take to
change in government policies or leadership?
16. Why do the animals reject Mollie?
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
17. What happens between Snowball and Napoleon over the windmill issue?
18. Compare and contrast life on the farm under Jones’s rule and Napoleon’s rule?
19. How has obedience and loyalty come to replace freedom and bravery on the farm?
20. Squealer squelches the animals’ arguments about Napoleon’s takeover. Describe this technique.
Would you consider it propaganda? Explain.
21. Boxer motto is, “I will work harder.” Explain how this motto shapes his character.
22. The windmill is eventually built. How does Napoleon take credit for it?
23. Give examples of how Napoleon changes the laws to suit his needs. Describe how the animals
are forced to accept these changes.
24. Several euphemisms are used throughout this novel. Explain what “tactics” really means as
Napoleon uses it.
25. The economy on the farm is collapsing. How does Napoleon make it seem as though everything
is fine?
26. The hens threaten to thwart Napoleon. What happens to him?
27. How is the memory of Snowball used to keep the animals in line?
28. Napoleon feels the need to show cause and effect. He forces four pigs to confess to rebellious
attitudes, and then executes them. Explain the meaning of this event and how it affects
Napoleon’s power.
29. Why does Clover sing “Beasts of England” after the executions? What does this event reveal
about her?
30. Napoleon abolishes the song “Beasts of England”. What reason does he give? What do you feel
is the true reason behind his action?
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
Project Choices
Group Project - Mural Memorial
Create a mural for each of these chapters. Each group member should design and paint or color
a section. The mural should depict different characters or scenes from this chapter section.
Display your mural on a classroom wall, or if possible, in a school hallway.
Persuasion – And The Truth Is…
Write an Animal Farm pamphlet or flier to be dropped by the pigeons at various locations. Its
purpose should be either to persuade other animals to rebel or to convince humans that Animal
Farm continues to thrive. Include illustrations or graphics that help to promote your cause.
Art – Poster Propaganda
Posters can be a potent propaganda instrument. Select a slogan or one of the Commandments
from the novel and illustrate it using words and pictures cut out of magazines and newspapers.
Add your own touch using paint, markers, colored pencils, scraps of fabric, or found obje cts.
Include a written explanation of the significance of the images, colors, designs, and objects you
choose, and explain how they further the propaganda effect.
Creative Writing – On Trial
Write a newspaper article about one of the trials. Your article should include sketches of the
accused and the witnesses, background material on them and the crime, and a map or diagram
of the scene of the crime. Write a brief description of the judge, Napoleon.
Social Studies – Pravda and Propaganda
Research Pravda and the Soviet propaganda effort. Create an interesting way to inform your
classmates about the information you have found. Create a PowerPoint presentation, or a Prezi.
Give an informative speech based on the topic; or select another way to show what y ou’ve
learned.