Zach

=Zach's Reading Log (Connector, Researcher, Vocab Enricher, Discussion Director, Passage Master)=

=**Introduction**=

The introduction doesn't have much to do with the actual story in Animal Farm. It basically says that George Orwell didn't like communism, so he wrote this book. It also takes the time to say that George Orwell is a great author and all his work is amazing. Also, the intro makes it a point of ruining the book for the reader, pointing out facts such as Boxer's death and the final slogan. This is not so much an introduction to the book as an introduction to Orwell and a plot summary.
 * Summary**

Well, these are probably some of the easiest connections to make. The intro is obviously connected to two main things, Orwell and communism. These can even be combined into one thing, Orwell's hatred of communism. The whole intro is basically one big connection, letting you know that the book was a satire based on communism (if you didn't already know). There's nothing much that I can really say here that the introduction didn't.
 * Connections**

=Chapters I - II=

These first two chapters illustrate the initial rebellion of the animals at Manor Farm. It all starts when the animals gather to hear the pig, Old Major (Karl Marx), share a dream with them. The basic message of what he says is that humans are detrimental to animal life and he dreams of an ideal world where humans are gone and animals are left to lead themselves. His vision is encouraged by a song that came to him in his dream called "Beasts of England." A few days later, Old Major dies and the other animals give themselves the task of overthrowing Mr. Jones (the farms owner; humans represent the "bourgeois" and Jones acts as Czar Nicholas II, I think, who was overthrown in the Russian Revolution). The rebellion is led by two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. The two develop the idea of "Animalism" where animals are self-governed without human input. For the most part it is accepted, but one particular horse, Mollie, is reluctant to give up human luxuries such as ribbons and sugar. The Rebellion occurs in a much shorter time than anyone first thought. After Jones forgets to feed the animals, some break into the storehouse out of desperation and hunger. When Jones shows up and goes to whip them, the animals take this as the last straw and begin their revolt (Russian Revolution). After Jones and the other humans leave, the animals seek to destroy anything relating to their "slavery." They decide to preserve the farmhouse as a museum, but make sure to say that no animal shall ever live in it. Soon afterwards, the name of the farm is changed to Animal Farm and the Seven Commandments of Animalism are inscribed on the barn by the pigs, who have taught themselves to read an write to great success. Though the animals seem happy, a mystery arises over milk that has gone missing. Not much information is given, other than it being gone.
 * Summary**

For this section, I decided to research the Russian Revolution, which these chapters draw heavily on. The particular revolution it is referring to is the one that occurred in February Revolution of 1917, where Czar Nicholas II (represented by Jones) was overthrown. The revolution was spontaneous, spurred on by building dissatisfaction with Nicholas II. On March 2, Nicholas was encouraged to abdicate the throne by disloyal troops. Later that year, during the October Revolution, Russia instigated Bolshevik rule (the creation of Animal Farm).
 * Research**

=Chapter III=

Things start off great for Animal Farm in this chapter. Food production is increases due to the animal's hard works. The pigs begin forming committees for the animals, but the only one with any success is the one tasked with making the animals literate. Napoleon does not support these committees but takes special interest in privately teaching recently born puppies. It is worth noting that Snowball and Napoleon often have contrasting views, despite practically leading the farm together. It is also at this point that the Seven Commandments are reduced into a single maxim, "four legs good, two legs bad." The sheep take a particular liking to this and often start chanting it without reason. It is also discovered that the pigs are the ones who have been taking the milk. They had been mixing it in with their daily rations. Squealer explains that this is because the pigs need the milk to fuel their brains to think for the farm.
 * Summary**

Paddock - a closed in area used for pasturing or exercising animals pg. 48 paragraph 2 I noted this because I wasn't exactly sure what it meant and it was the only word I didn't already know for sure
 * Vocabulary**

=Chapter IV=

Humans at this point know about what has happened at manor farm. The neighboring farms both fear that their own animals may rise up and overthrow them, as they are already acting rebellious. Pigeons have spread "Beasts of England" all over the area and other animals have taken to singing it. Despite good news, it is learned that Jones plans to retake his farm. Snowball, who has been studying battle plans, leads an ambush on the humans. After the battle, which Boxer and Snowball performed admirably in, a ceremony is held. The only casualty was a sheep charging with Snowball who was killed by gunfire. The Animal Hero award is created and bestowed upon Boxer, Snowball, and the fallen sheep. Though he helped the farm, Boxer feels guilty for killing a farm hand (who was later discovered to only be stunned). Snowball reassures him and the other animals by telling them that the only good humans are dead ones and that every animal must be prepared to die for Animal Farm.
 * Summary**

Why do the animals fight for Animal Farm if they do not truly understand what they are fighting for? I think they fight because of the profound influence of the pigs. With Snowball's speeches and Squealer's cunning, it is possible to get the other animals to do what ever they want. Why do the humans underestimate the animals? I think the humans do not believe the animals to be capable of such great strategy. They understand that animals like Boxer have great power, but they don't think they know how to use it effectively.
 * Discussion Questions (not that there's anyone to answer them)**

=Chapter V=

In this chapter, two animals leave Animal Farm. In the beginning, Mollie is lured away with ribbons and sugar by a human and never mentioned again. More important is the forceful expulsion of Snowball by Napoleon. Prior to this event, Snowball had been working on plans to construct a windmill to make life easier for the animals with electricity. Napoleon is opposed to this, expressing his discontent by urinating on Snowball's plans. When Snowball finishes the plans, a meeting is held to vote on the matter. Snowball gives an elaborate speech, to which Napoleon replies by simply stating his opposition. When Snowball goes off on another speech, Napoleon calls dogs to attack him. These dogs are discovered to be the very same ones he trained privately. He announces that these meetings will no longer be held and the pigs will make all future decisions themselves. Though the other animals are confused initially, Squealer is able to calm them by convincing them that Snowball was a traitor. Later, Napoleon decides to go through with the building of the windmill, justifying his decision by saying that Snowball stole the idea from him.
 * Summary**

pg. 68 2nd paragraph "It was noticed that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr. Jones." This quote is the first place where the corruption of the pigs becomes clear. By comparing Napoleon to Mr. Jones, it shows how the pigs are becomeing more like the humans they initially despised.
 * Passage**

=Chapters VI - VII=

In these chapters, the construction of the windmill begins. The work is hard, but the animals accept it to better the farm. Rations to the animals are cut do to the move of focus from food production to the windmill. Do to shortages, Napoleon hires a human contact, Mr. Whymper, to trade with the outside world. At this point, the pigs have moved into the farmhouse and are sleeping on the beds, which was originally forbidden by the Seven Commandments. However, it is discovered that the commandment has been changed to say, "No animal shall sleep in a bed //with sheets//." Squealer atributes this change to the animals having forgotten the rule. He also says that the pigs need the comfort to use their brains properly. Due to his speech and the vicious dogs, no one disagrees. Later, a strong storm hits Animal Farm by night. When they wake, it is discovered that the windmill has been demolished. Instead of blaming the walls for not being thick enough, Napoleon places the blame on Snowball, who he says has been sneaking in and messing with the fruits of their labor. It is decided to start working on the windmill again, this time with thicker walls. As the animals begin to rebuild the windmill, supplies drop lower and lower. This prompts Napoleon to begins selling eggs, another practice was opposed at the beginning. The hens object at first by laying their eggs out of reach. However, their rations are cut and they soon give in. The pigs continue to spread propaganda about Snowball, discrediting his valor in the The Battle of Cowshed, saying he ran away from battle. Later, Napoleon calls forth a meeting. He orders four pigs to come up and admit to treason. After they do so, they are slaughtered by the dogs. Other animals are forced to confess to communicating with Snowball, and are promptly killed. The dogs even try attack Boxer, though not given the order at the meeting. The killing of other animals was also originally forbidden by the Seven Commandments, however the Commandment was revealed to have been changed to say, "No animal shall kill another animal //without reason//." After this meeting, Napoleon bans the singing of "Beasts of England" saying that it only related to the rebellion and since the rebellion was over it served no purpose.
 * Summary**

These chapters show Orwell's belief of the cynicism that Communism evokes. After the initial upper class is overthrown, the leaders of the rebellion will eventually sit themselves in that same seat, becoming what they originally sought to overthrow.
 * Connection**

=Chapter VIII=

Though the animals are growing continuously more hungry, Squealer maintains that the food stores are increasing. A pile of timber is on the farm, which Napoleon decides to sell to one of the neighboring farms. When negotiations lean towards one hatred falls on the other farm. The hated farm also happens to coincide with where Snowball is supposedly hiding. The animals are surprised when the timber is sold to Mr. Frederick at a time where they were being taught to hate him. However, the money that farm receives proves to be fake, angering the animals. It is no suprise that they discover the humans to be planing another attack soon after. The windmill is finally completed and it is around this time the humans launch their attack. They bring more men and more guns this time, yet they are still defeated. However, they managed to destroy the windmill with blasting powder and kill and wound many animals, specifically Boxer. Once again, the pigs break the commandments by drinking alcohol. The commandments are changed again, but despite Squealer being caught red handed, the animals blame their memories for the changed commandment.
 * Summary**

I chose to research Stalinism, the political system that Animal Farm is based on, with Napoleon being Stalin. Stalinism was heavily marked by the use of propaganda and military force to suppress rebellion. Both were used to build the power of the absolute dictator at it's head. Supporters of Stalinism were often in opposition with supporters of other communist leaders, Lenin and Trotsky (which could have made a nice name for a pig), not unlike the separation between Snowball and Napoleon. Stalinism can be heavily related to totalitarianism in that the government controls the daily lives of the people.
 * Research**

=Chapter IX=

In this chapter, Boxer meets his demise after his wounding in the previous chapter. However, his death was not natural. Napoleon had sold him to a horse slaughter plant, which the pigs claimed was a hospital. Though a ceremony is held for Boxer, the pigs do not fail in adding propaganda to the event. Squealer claims that Boxer's last words were that Napoleon was always right and the animals should continue to listen to him. Before he was killed, Boxer continued to work hard on the reconstruction of the windmill, claiming that it was the only reason he had to keep going. After Boxer's death, Napoleon starts Spontaneous Demonstrations to boost moral as well as his own power. The animals march around the farm militaristiclly and listen to songs and poems composed by Minimus about Napoleon and Animal Farm. Napoleon decrees that a school be built to educate the newly born piglets, despite decreasing funds. Animal Farm soon becomes a republic, with Napoleon (the only candidate) as president. The pigs proceed to buy more alcohol, which can assumed to be purchased with the money made from selling Boxer.
 * Summary**

poultice pg. 114 1st paragraph - a soft usually heated and sometimes medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to sores or other lesions This was what Clover had been putting on Boxer's wounds. I figured it was some sort of medicine, but I didn't know exactly what it was.
 * Vocabulary**

=Chapter X =

A few years pass and a couple of the original animals die. The new windmill is completed and used for milling corn rather than creating electricity, as it was originally intended. The farm has become more prosperous but the pigs and dogs are the only ones benefiting, while the conditions for the other animals decrease. Though life is hard, the animals are proud of their work. They are the only farm fully operated and run by animals. One day, Squealer takes the sheep to a remote pasture to teach them a "new song." One day, Clover discovers that the pigs have been practicing walking on two legs. Even worse is the fact that Napoleon is seen holding a whip, a sign of there past oppression. The animals are dumbfounded, but before they can express themselves, the sheep begin to chant their new phrase, "Four legs good, two legs //better//." Soon, Clover notices that the Commandments look different, but cannot read them for herself. It is discovered that only the last commandment remains, but changed once again to say, "All animals are equal //but some animals are more equal than others//." Later, the pigs begin doing more human things, such as smoking pipes, ordering magazines, getting a telephone, and even wearing human clothes. The animals then discover that the pigs have invited humans to inspect the farm. That night, the animals discover the pigs and humans sitting at a table together playing cards. Mr. Pilkington gives a toast saying that they had their misunderstandings before, but they had common ground in that the pigs had lower animals and the humans had lower classes. Napoleon at this time expresses his act to abolish most, if not all, of Animal Farm's former traditions, including it's name, which was changed back to The Manor Farm. Old Major's skull had been buried, the hoof and horn would be removed from the flag, and the word "comrade" would be abolished. Soon after words a fight breaks out over the game, but the animals outside cannot distinguish between the pigs and the humans.
 * Summary**

What do you think of the phrase, "some animals are more equal than others" in relation to the world? Though the idea of everyone being equal is a nice utopian idea, it will never be achieved. There will always be leaders of movements, who will achieve power and then seek to abuse it. If they do not, then their offspring will, and their offspring after them. Why did the pigs become like the humans? The pigs abused the power they were given. They exploited the simple mindedness of the other animals by creating new rules and spreading propaganda. Besides the reason of power, they also did it because they could. None of the other animals were smart enough to doubt them or rise against them.
 * Questions**