chap 10

• this moment occurs some years after the death of Boxer and the pigs have fully established control. They are so secure that they can commit the final betrayal of animalism by overthrowing it altogether and they begin this by walking on two legs just like man.
• "It was a pig walking on his hind legs.'

  'Yes, it was Squealer.'


  This line is set out in a paragraph on its own for maximum impact and Orwell then goes on to repeat 'Yes, it was Squealer'.

  Phrasing it like this makes it seem as though the sentence is said by one of the animals watching. This use of an indirect narrative voice is used throughout the text and creates sympathy for the abused animals whilst enabling the reader to see their naivety as they are tricked time and time again by the pigs.
• "He was strolling across the yard"

  its significant that squealer leads the way for the pigs He has always been the one to introduce new orders and betrayals and he can smooth the way if required by his clever speeches.

  Orwell uses the verb 'stroling' which suggests how relaxed they are, as if this is something they always do. It demonstrates their power and control and the contrast between them and the terrified animals watching the pigs who could not be stronger.
• Out came Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side, and with his dogs gambolling round him.'


  Of course the last to appear, with lots of ceremony, is Napoleon. He is described as 'majestically upright' which suggests the way he sees himself as a king. In a society where everyone is supposed to be equal, this in itself is a betrayal and indicates his power and level of control.

  The word 'upright' is also a pun as it means on two legs but also suggests morally upstanding which is very ironic. He is surrounded by the dogs who symbolise his power and terrify everyone into submission.
• "He carried a whip in his trotter"


  • the noun "whip" Orwell leaves the most shocking aspect to the end of the moment and that is set out in its own paragraph to make it stand out more. The horror is immediately felt by the animals as the whip can only be used to inflict cruel pain on them and they are supposed to be comrades.
• There was a deadly silence.

  Amazed, terrified, huddling together, the animals watched....

  Short sentence to emphasise how shocked the animals are.

  The full stop creates a pause as the animals take in the enormity of what is happening.

  Orwell contrasts Napoleon's power with the animals' fear and helplessness, All they can do is"huddle together"
• ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL.

  BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE

  MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS."


  The new maxim, 'All animals are equal but some are more equal than others' is suitably paradoxical as the whole system of animalism has become meaningless. The power and control of the pigs has become absolute, even greater than the

  control man had in the first place and has been achieved through

  total betrayal.