Ch.7 moment - the show trial

• 'Napoleon ordered all the animals to assemble in the yard.'

  The verb 'ordered reminds us of Napoleon's total power. Ironic -> 'all animals are equal'
• 'nine huge dogs frisking round him and uttering growls that sent shivers down the animals' spines.'

  the adjective 'huge' and the onomatopoeia 'growls' creates an atmosphere of fear.
• 'immediately the dogs bounded forward and seized four of the pigs by the ear.'

  the violent verbs 'bounded' and 'seized' highlight the speed with which the four pigs are seized and dragged.
• 'They (the pigs) had collaborated with him (Snowball) in destroying the windmill.'

  their confession is ludicrous but easily believed in the atmosphere of terror.
• 'the dogs promptly tore their throats out.'

  Their deaths are made especially frightening because of Orwell's graphic description. The violent verb 'tore' is very descriptive and shoking.
• 'pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet.'

  Too many deaths are being described is especially frightening as is the image of the 'pile of corpses', he literally and metaphorical stands over them.
• 'they all lay down as though huddling for warmth'

  the animals retreat and seek comfort in each other, 'huddling for warmth'. This frightening scene shows the heartless brutality of the pigs and this is contrasted with the other animals as their united 'huddling' now represents their weakness, not their strength.