Chapter 7 - Summary

Winter Challenges

• Bitter Winter: Harsh winter with stormy weather, sleet, snow, and hard frost.
• Rebuilding the Windmill: Animals persist in rebuilding, motivated by the awareness of external scrutiny.
• Thickened Walls: To prevent collapse, walls are rebuilt to be three feet thick.

Food Shortages

• Corn Ration Cut: Corn ration reduced due to shortages.
• Potato Disaster: Potatoes affected by frost, leading to a lack of food.
• Starvation Threat: Animals left with chaff and mangles; starvation threatens.

Deceptive Measures

• Concealing Shortages: Napoleon uses deception to hide food shortages.
• Mr. Wimper's Role: Deceived to report no food shortage.

Napoleon's Leadership

• Rare Appearances: Napoleon stays mostly in the farmhouse, guarded by dogs.
• Egg Contract: Hens ordered to surrender eggs to trade for grain.
• Hens' Rebellion: Hens protest by smashing eggs; rebellion is crushed.

Snowball's Rumored Activity

• Rumors of Sabotage: Snowball rumored to disrupt the farm.
• Napoleon's Investigation: Claims to find Snowball's traces everywhere.

False Confessions and Executions

• Confessions: Animals confess to conspiring with Snowball under duress.
• Executions: Pigs, hens, and others executed for alleged treachery.

Boxer’s Resolve

• Work Harder: Boxer resolves to work harder to counter the farm's troubles.

Reflections on the Farm

• Clover's Thoughts: Clover reflects on the disparity between their dreams and reality.
• Songs: "Beasts of England" is abolished and replaced with a new song by Minimus.

Key Themes

• Manipulation: Use of propaganda, false narratives, and manipulation by Napoleon and Squealer.
• Oppression: Use of violence and fear to suppress dissent.
• Disillusionment: Growing realization among animals of the unfulfilled promises of the rebellion.

This chapter reflects the complexities and challenges faced by the animals, highlighting themes of deception, manipulation, and oppression that mark the leadership dynamics on the farm.