Animal Farm Chapter 7 Summary

Harsh Winter Conditions

• The chapter begins with a description of a severe winter.
• The animals continue rebuilding the windmill under difficult conditions.
• They aim to prove human critics wrong about the mill's failure.

Food Shortages

• Food supplies dwindle, leading to reduced corn rations.
• Potato crop ruined by frost, leaving minimal food like chaff and mangels.
• Starvation looms, necessitating secrecy from the outside world.

Deception and Manipulation

• Humans spread rumors of famine and chaos on Animal Farm.
• Napoleon uses Mr. Whymper to falsely report food abundance.
• Store-shed bins filled with sand and grains to deceive Whymper.

Hens’ Rebellion

• Napoleon demands hens to surrender their eggs for sale.
• Hens protest by breaking their eggs, resulting in a mini-rebellion.
• Napoleon responds with starvation, leading to nine hens' deaths.

Snowball's Alleged Sabotage

• Snowball is rumored to be sabotaging the farm at night.
• Napoleon uses Snowball as a scapegoat for various mishaps.
• Animals are led to believe Snowball is in league with external enemies.

Public Confessions and Executions

• Napoleon stages confessions from animals accused of conspiring with Snowball.
• Pigs and other animals confess to crimes, believed to be under Snowball's influence.
• Confessions lead to executions, creating a climate of fear.

Disillusionment and Reflection

• Animals reflect on the violence and betrayal within their ranks.
• Clover mourns the loss of the idealistic society envisioned during the Rebellion.
• Despite disillusionment, animals remain loyal to Napoleon’s leadership.

Abolition of "Beasts of England"

• Napoleon abolishes the singing of "Beasts of England," claiming the Rebellion is complete.
• A new, uninspiring song replaces the beloved anthem.

This chapter highlights themes of manipulation, control, and the erosion of revolutionary ideals in "Animal Farm." The tyrannical leadership of Napoleon mirrors the oppressive regimes in history, showing the betrayal of initial revolutionary goals.