Many of the novel’s key themes (comments on power, leadership, propaganda, etc.) are developed in chapter 5. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to determine the theme or central idea of the text and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by events, characters, and the plot.
Step 1: Read
As you read, complete the corresponding pages for this chapter in your student workbook.
Step 2: Review
Review these key events in the chapter and answer the questions in your notes.
Mollie is in communication with the men on neighboring farms. Mollie represents the bourgeois and those who weren’t interested in the ‘greater good’ of the revolution. They just cared about themselves and fled the country - like Mollie!
>> Are these people to be blamed? Do you understand why they did what they did?
We see the real differences between Snowball and Napoleon and their leadership styles. Snowball is clearly the better public speaker, but Napoleon is cunning and doesn’t play fair (he literally urinates on Snowball’s plans).
>> What might Orwell be saying about leadership battles?
We finally find out what happened to the puppies…and it’s not good. They represent the secret police (later the KGB) which Stalin used to carry out his dirty work.
>> What does this say about Napoleon’s leadership? Why is this unsettling?
Napoleon runs Snowball off the farm and is now in control. Things change drastically. The democratic meetings are abolished and there is a clear shifting of power on the farm. Squealer is used to placate the other animals. Squealer represents ‘The Pravda’ and is the propaganda machine of the pigs.
>> In what ways does Squealer manipulate the other animals? Could Napoleon be successful without Squealer?
Step 3: Theme development
With your partner, make a list of all of the things which have changed on the farm since the animals took over.
Discuss the following questions:
>> How different is the current farm from the one in Old Major’s dream?
>> Were these subtle changes or dramatic ones?
>> Why didn’t the animals resist more?
>> Do you think the animals realized what was happening?
>> How does power shift in this society?
>> What message is Orwell making?
Your answer to the last question is the theme. The answers to all the other questions show the development of that theme.