Classwork+Questions+on+Animal+Farm+YJ+(Jenny)+J.

3. List instances in the book when language is used to further the idealogy such as the names and titles for Napoleon and the different names for the windmill. The messages and commandments change over time. What is Orwell saying about communication and thinking in a totalitarian regime? Then focus on one or two examples and discuss the reality of this being able to happen.

Throughout the book, Napoleon's status changes gradually, until he is finally regarded a "leader" amongst the animals. Whereas in the beginning of the book the meetings were more democratic, by now there are no meetings at all. Instead, Napoleon and his fellow pigs decide everything on their own and simply gives orders to the animals (it would be wrong to say that he comes to conclusions "with" the pigs, since he does everything alone in essence). In short, the animals no longer have any say as to how they should be treated. After a while, Napoleon doesn't even bother to come out and read out the orders, as is evident from this quote: "Napoleon barely came out; Squealer commanded the animals to do certain things, and then animals would follow the orders accordingly." (p.104). On occasional meetings, he speaks "in a gruff, soldierly style." (p. 71). Not only is he exercising autocratic power by making all the decisions in the farm, but he is also using 'servants' to carry out his chores since he has become an 'important' figure who isn't fit for completing such trivial matters. Soon after, he is praised as a "father, protector, terror, and leader," and all animals obey. After the mill construction, he names it "Napoleon mill," though he made absolutely NO contribution to its creation (physically). As can be seen, he slowly establishes himself as a supreme, totalitarian power and controls the masses so that he appears 'divine' or 'praise-worthy.' (He uses Squealer to make emotional appeals about his 'wisdom, deep love, and goodness.')

By illustrating these changes in the novel, Orwell is trying to communicate to the readers that communication and thinking in a totalitarian regime is direct and one-way. His ways may seem unimaginable in the real world, but just look at the two infamous dictatorial leaders of the past century: Stalin and Hitler! They've done things much worse than what Napoleon has done in the novel.. things that are too horrendous even to mention. But is this really what Marx tried to establish when he wrote about communism? I don't think so.

EXPANSION :

Napoleon even orders that everyone on the farm no longer just call him "Napoleon", he wants something extra. Like, as stated above, he should be called Leader Napoleon or whatever. Napoleon names the windmill after himself to show that he is the one in command and that he has "the power".

<3 Erika Flores <3

I too believe that Napoleon comes out as a very big character in chapters 5-8. He first didn't look as important because he thought that he had no competition. I think that as Napoleon faces more threats on the spot of "leader," he will become more violent and vicious to achieve his goals.

-John Jun

-As erika said, I think Napoleon wants something more than just a leader. Inorder to gain all the power, Napoleon decides to exile Snowball and use violence to control the other animals. Also whenever there are some destructions, Napoleon tends to blame on Snowball.

-jinhee