chapter 7

• What do the animals struggle to rebuild in winter?

  The windmill
• Why do the animals conceal their food shortage?

  To avoid appearing to fail to humans
• What do the humans believe caused the windmill's destruction?

  The walls weren't thick enough
• How do the animals respond to the humans' explanation for the windmill's destruction?

  They deem it false and rebuild thicker walls
• Who gives speeches about the glory of sacrifice?

  Squealer
• Who inspires the other animals to work harder?

  Boxer
• What does Napoleon contract to sell weekly?

  Four hundred eggs
• How do the other animals react to Napoleon's egg-selling contract?

  They react with shock
• What was one of Old Major's original complaints about humans?

  The cruelty of egg selling
• What action do the hens take in response to the egg-selling contract?

  They rebel
• What does Napoleon do to the hens after they rebel?

  He cuts their rations entirely
• How many hens die before the others give in to Napoleon's demands?

  Nine hens
• What do the animals learn about Snowball after the hens' rebellion?

  He has been sabotaging their efforts
• How does Napoleon claim to detect Snowball's presence?

  He says Snowball is everywhere
• Who does Squealer accuse Snowball of selling himself to?

  1. Frederick's farm, Pinchfield
• What does Squealer say about Snowball's actions during the Battle of the Cowshed?

  He claims Snowball was treacherous
• How do the animals react to Squealer's accusations against Snowball?

  They are astonished and confused
• What does Boxer struggle to understand about Snowball?

  Why Snowball is now considered treacherous
• How does Squealer manipulate the animals' memories of Napoleon's actions?

  He describes Napoleon's bravery vividly
• What does Napoleon do to the animals who confess to conspiring with Snowball?

  He has the dogs kill them
• How does Boxer react during the purge?

  He knocks the dogs away
• What happens to the pigs and other animals during the purge?

  They are killed
• How does the bloodshed affect the animals?

  They feel shaken and confused
• What does Boxer attribute the tragedy to after the purge?

  Some fault in the animals themselves
• What does Clover wonder about the state of Animal Farm?

  How their glorious rebellion turned to this
• What song do some animals begin to sing?

  “Beasts of England”
• Why does Squealer say “Beasts of England” can no longer be sung?

  It applied only to the Rebellion
• Who writes the replacement song for “Beasts of England”?

  Minimus, the poet pig
• What does the new song express?

  Profound patriotism and glorifies Animal Farm
• How does the new song compare to “Beasts of England”?

  It does not inspire the animals as much
• Why do humans react with relief when the windmill topples?

  It justifies their contempt for the animals
• What reputation did Soviet Russia struggle against?

  A reputation for industrial incompetence
• What were Stalin's Five-Year Plans for agriculture intended to achieve?

  Increase agricultural production
• What was the outcome of Stalin's Five-Year Plans?

  Starvation of millions of people
• How did the Soviets attempt to handle their problems?

  By masking them from the world
• What do the pigs of Animal Farm do to keep human farmers unaware of their difficulties?

  Devise elaborate schemes
• What does the windmill symbolize on Animal Farm?

  The farm's competence and prestige
• What does the collapse of the windmill represent for the pigs?

  A major blow to their prestige
• How does Orwell relate the pigs' situation to Soviet Russia's industrial setbacks?

  Both threaten their positions as equals
• What violent tactics do oppressive governments use to maintain control?

  To ensure docility and obedience