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The news of Animal Farm spread across half the county by that summer. Mr. Jones now lives ignominious in Willingdon, where he drinks and complains about his misfortune to everyone. Farmers like Mr. Pilkingdon and Frederick who own the adjoining farms, are terrified that the animals on their farms will also rebel but they are too deeply at odds with one another to think about working together against Animal Farm. They spread false rumors about the farm's inefficiency and reproachable morality, but in spite of this, animals everywhere begin singing "Beasts of England," and many begin to behave rebelliously. At last, in early October, a flight of pigeons brings the news to Animal Farm that Mr. Jones is marching on the farm with some of Pilkingdon and Frederick's men. Snowball, who has studied the writings of Julius Caesar, prepares a defense, and the men are easily driven away. Boxer fights courageously, as does Snowball himself, and the men are routed with the loss of only a single sheep, who is given a hero's burial. Only Mollie the horse hides during the battle. Snowball and Boxer are both given medals, and the animals discover Mr. Jones's gun. They implant it at the base of the flagstaff, and agree to fire it twice a year: on October 12th, the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed, and on Midsummer's Eve, the anniversary of the Rebellion.
Mollie now becomes more and more distant. She arrives late for work, accepting treats from men associated with nearby farms, and generally behaving against the tenets of Animalism. One day she disappears & the news is that she has been lured away by a red-faced fat man who stroked her coat and fed her sugar & now she pulls his carriage. Her name is never mentioned again by any of the animals. During the cold winter months the animals hold their meetings in the big barn. There are constant arguments between Snowball & Napoleon. Of the two, Snowball is better at making
speeches while Napoleon is better at getting supporters for himself. Snowball is very innovative & wants to do things, which will improve the farm. He has been studying Mr. Jones's books, and has decided to build a windmill, which could be used for electricity, to automate many farming tasks and bring new comforts to the animals' lives. But the windmill will be very difficult to build, and Napoleon is of the opinion that that it would be better to cater to their present needs than to plan ahead. The animals are also in a quandary as to what should be done. Napoleon takes a look at Snowball's plans, and urinates on them to show his disapproval. Finally the plans are completed, and the animals assemble for a great Meeting to decide whether the windmill is to be built or not. Snowball gives a passionate speech which has a great influence on the animals, but just as they are about to cast the vote, Napoleon gives a strange whimper, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass- studded collars charge into the barn, attack Snowball, and chase him off the farm. Then Napoleon announces that from now on, Meetings will be held only for ceremonial purposes & that the pigs will make all important decisions alone. No one dares to oppose him because of his fierce guard dogs.
Many of the animals are confused and disturbed after this occurrence but squealer explains to everybody that by taking the leadership responsibilities upon himself he is actually making a great sacrifice. He says that it is in the best interest that Napoleon being the cleverest animal should make all important decisions. The innocent animals are satisfied with this answer but still cannot understand why Snowball was treated thus. Squealer explains that Snowball was a traitor and a criminal and had to be expelled. Eventually all the animals come to accept Snowball's explanation of events. Boxer decides to adopt two maxims designed by Napoleon to help him understand what to do in every situation: "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right."
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Animal Farm |
