Animal Farm Lecture Notes

Rebuilding the Windmill

• Rebuilding the windmill is a matter of honor for the animals.
• They refuse to let humans see them fail.
• Food shortage in January threatens lives.
  • Rumors of famine, disease, and infighting spread among humans.

Counteracting Rumors

• Napoleon has Mr. Whymper, the farm's lawyer, lie that food bins are full (actually filled with sand).
• Napoleon devises a plan to raise money by selling eggs to humans.
  • Hens must produce 400 eggs a week.
  • Too early in the season, hens rebel by smashing eggs.

Hens' Rebellion

• Napoleon cuts off hens’ rations, threatens death to feeders.
• Rebellion lasts five days, nine hens die (official cause: illness).
• Rebellion is hushed up, eggs delivered on time.

Trade Relations

• Trade relations are shaky between Napoleon, Mr. Frederick, and Mr. Pilkington.
• Snowball is rumored to be hiding with Frederick or Pilkington.

Snowball's Alleged Treachery

• Snowball allegedly visits Animal Farm to cause trouble.
• Snowball supposedly sold himself to Mr. Frederick.
• Claims Snowball worked with Mr. Jones from the beginning.
• Boxer questions this, but backs down under Squealer's assurance.

Executions

• Napoleon orders a public assembly.
• Four young pigs, three hens, three sheep, and a goose executed for colluding with Snowball.
• Execution causes despair among the animals.
• Napoleon bans the song "Beasts of England".

Commandment Change

• Clover and Muriel discover sixth commandment now reads: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause."

Increased Labor and Food Shortages

• Animals work harder and receive less food than under Jones.
• Squealer claims they are receiving more food.

Napoleon's Reign

• Napoleon behaves more like a king: lives separately, uses formal titles.
• Poem in his praise inscribed on barn wall.
• Another three hens executed for plotting against Napoleon.

Frederick's Attack

• Mr. Frederick cheats Napoleon with forged banknotes.
• Frederick attacks Animal Farm and destroys the windmill.
• Battle results: cow, three sheep, and two geese killed; many injured.
• Napoleon’s dogs chase off men; battle deemed a 'triumph'.

Aftermath

• Napoleon awarded a new military decoration.
• Pigs celebrate with whiskey.
• Napoleon suffers a hangover, claims he is dying, then recovers.
• Outlaws alcohol but later decides to brew it.
• Alters fifth commandment to include "no animal shall drink alcohol to excess."

Conclusion

• Benjamin seems aware of the truth but stays cynical.

Summary:

The lecture detailed the struggles and manipulations on Animal Farm, including the rebuilding of the windmill, the hens' rebellion, harsh executions, Napoleon’s evolving dictatorship, and the deceit and violence between animal and human characters.