chapter 5

• Historical

  "At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches, but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. He was especially successful with the sheep. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating “Four legs good, two legs bad” both in and out of season, and they often interrupted the Meeting with this."

  The characters of the sheep, who are easily led and not terribly bright, are an allusion to the Russian citizens who too readily believed the propaganda spread by Joseph Stalin and his supporters.
• Who declared that a windmill should be built?

  Snowball
• What was the purpose of the windmill according to Snowball?

  To supply the farm with electrical power
• How would the windmill benefit the animals on the farm?

  It would do their work while they grazed
• What does the windmill symbolize in the context of Soviet history?

  It symbolizes the Five-Year Plans of Stalin
• When were the Five-Year Plans first launched?

  In 1928
• What was the impact of the Five-Year Plans on the Soviet economy?

  They improved the economy through industrialization
• How did the peasants on the farm perceive the benefits of the Five-Year Plans?

  They saw little benefit and experienced famines
• What are the key features of the windmill and its significance in the story?

  • Proposed by Snowball for electrical power
  • Symbolizes the Five-Year Plans
  • Represents industrialization benefits
  • Peasants experienced famines despite plans
• Historical

  "After surveying the ground, Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill, which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power. This would light the stalls and warm them in winter . . . [The animals] listened in astonishment while Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines which would do their work for them while they grazed at their ease in the fields or improved their minds with reading and conversation."
• Who painted a picture of Animal Farm's future?

  Snowball
• What did Snowball claim electricity could operate?

  Threshing machines, ploughs, and reapers
• What was the effect of Snowball's speech on the vote?

  It influenced the vote's direction
• Historical

  "In glowing sentences [Snowball] painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted from the animals’ backs . . . Electricity, he said, could operate threshing machines, ploughs, harrows, rollers, and reapers and binders, besides supplying every stall with its own electric light, hot and cold water, and an electric heater. By the time he had finished speaking, there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go."
• Who is Snowball an allusion to?

  Leon Trotsky
• What role did Leon Trotsky play in the Russian Revolution?

  He emerged as a leader
• Who was Joseph Stalin in relation to Leon Trotsky?

  His rival for power
• What historical events is Snowball associated with?

  The Russian Revolution and Civil War
• What did Snowball promise for Animal Farm's future?

  Improved technology and comfort
• What amenities did Snowball mention for the animals?

  Electric light, hot and cold water
• How did Snowball's vision affect the animals' perception of their future?

  It created optimism about their lives
• What did Napoleon utter when the dogs chased Snowball?

  A high-pitched whimper
• What happened to Snowball when the dogs chased him?

  He escaped through a hole in the hedge
• What does the chase of Snowball by the dogs symbolize in the context of the text?

  Stalin's expulsion of Trotsky from the USSR
• Who was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1929?

  Leon Trotsky
• Where did Trotsky flee after his expulsion?

  To Mexico
• Who assassinated Trotsky in Mexico?

  An agent of Stalin
• What was the nature of the political struggle between Stalin and Trotsky?

  Power struggles between political rivals
• How does the allusion to Trotsky's expulsion enhance the narrative of the text?

  It reflects the themes of betrayal and power
• What does the hole in the hedge symbolize in the context of Snowball's escape?

  Escape from tyranny
• What does the chase of Snowball by the dogs illustrate about political regimes?

  Violence and oppression in power struggles
• What themes are reflected in the allusion to Trotsky's fate?

  Themes of betrayal and political violence
• Historical/Political

  "Napoleon . . . uttered a high-pitched whimper . . . and nine enormous dogs . . . dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him . . . One of them all but closed his jaws on Snowball’s tail, but Snowball whisked it free just in time. Then he put on an extra spurt and, with a few inches to spare, slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more."
• Historical/Political

  "In a moment the dogs came bounding back. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creatures came from, but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately. Though not yet full-grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to Napoleon."

  The dogs are an allusion to the Soviet secret police (NKVD), which played a key role in suppressing and even executing Joseph Stalin’s political opponents.
• What did Napoleon announce regarding Sunday-morning Meetings?

  They would come to an end.
• Why did Napoleon consider Sunday-morning Meetings unnecessary?

  He believed they wasted time.
• Who would settle questions about the farm's working in the future?

  A special committee of pigs.
• Historical/Political

  "[Napoleon] announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end. They were unnecessary, he said, and wasted time. In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by himself. These would meet in private and afterwards communicate their decisions to the others"
• What is the significance of Napoleon presiding over the committee?

  It shows his authoritarian control.
• Who does the character of Napoleon allude to in history?

  Joseph Stalin and Napoleon Bonaparte.