Snowball

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

-Trotsky (who is presented by Snowball) is a progressive politician and aims to improve society’s well-being.
-Snowball’s main priority is to improve the lives on Animal Farm by introducing technologies such as the windmill to make his Comrades’ lives easier.
-In the beginning of chapter 2, the pig is described as “inventive” and “brilliant”.
-However he is also criticised as being superficial in a sense that his intentions may be seen as only prioritising
the animals on the farm ad putting them before himself.
-However, when the animals fight the humans, he shows ruthlessness when he tells Boxer that “The only good human beings are dead ones”.
-As the text progresses, the animal’s viewpoint/opinion of Snowball changes has he becomes Napoleon’s scapegoat and excuse for everything on the farm.
-Snowball’s previous actions are sought after once Napoleon’s dictatorship becomes recognised.

Question 2

PG 1

Answer 2

• In the beginning of the novella, Snowball and Napoleon are partners and plan to make sure everyone on the farm is satisfied and equal.
• Orwell presents Snowball as a parental figure to the animals as he tries to teach them how to read and write for their own good.
• Orwell does this to show the natural hierarchy in the farm and in society as he shows - through Snowball - that many people seek an authority figure subliminally.
• Snowball is extremely passionate about the revolution and wants to animals to be educated so that they are prepared for any obstacle they may encounter during their rebellion.
• In 1924, when Lenin died, Trotsky (Snowball) and Stalin (Napoleon) attempted to be the better leader because Russia was in need of one.
• Trotsky was deemed the better and more helpful leader so Stalin got jealous and turned against him.

Question 3

PG 2

Answer 3

-Orwell presents Windmill as a literary code for impossible dreams, as Trotsky- who is represented by Snowball -wanted (to send -“pigeons” to) spread the revolution in other countries (neighbouring farms), while Stalin- who represent Napoleon-wanted to consolidate power.
-However Stalin was the one with enough power to make his vision happen and he exiled Trotsky prior to Lenin’s-old major- death.
-This is ordeal is represented in chapter 5 where the subject of building of a windmill first emerges. The windmill is an exciting prospect for snowball as it can be used to build “dynamo” which will be able to supply the animals with electricity.
-In Contrast, Napoleon disagrees with snowball and urinates all over Snowballs plans as a means of expressing his disconnect.
-Ultimately, snowball inspires the animals as he “paint[s] a picture of animal farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted from the animals backs”. We are shown the true level off his power as he “slipped through a hole in the hedge” to escape the brutality he would in counter if he was caught by an “enormous dog wearing brass-studded collars”.
-These dogs were controlled by Napoleon as he made himself “responsible for their education”, this in
turn implies the dogs were under Napoleon’s control.
-Therefore emphasizing the idea that snowball held majority of the power however was cruely overthrown by Napoleon who in due course adopts the role of a dictator.

Question 4

PG 3

Answer 4

-Napoleon is completely against Snowball at this point in the novella as he sabotages Snowballs windmill plans.
Here, Napoleon is presented as an enemy and the sole reason for why anything would go wrong on the farm.
-Napoleon’s dogs exile Snowball off of the farm and this is
he first animal-on-animal violence we see in the novella.
-This puts an emphasis on the significance of education and how (on the farm) if you aren’t
smart, you aren’t strong - in the case of Snowball.
Stalin - who is represented by Napoleon exiles Trotsky - who is represented by Snowball - as he called for a continuing world revolution that would inevitable result in the dismantling of the soviet state, he also criticized the new regime for suppressing democracy in the
communist party and for failing to develop adequate economic planning.

Question 5

PG 3 Quotes

Answer 5

“The only good human being is a dead one”, he was quite vulnerable
“He was running as only a pig can run, but the dogs were close on his heels” we feel sympathy for Snowball as in this situation the pig is extremely vulnerable in contrast to how the pigs were portrayed previously.