Chapter 8

Chapter 8 discussion points/questions

1. Although the animals “think” they remember the  

Sixth Commandment, they cannot be sure. Why is 

this? What message is Orwell conveying through this 

plot point?

2. When the animals are executed, the sentence  

structure if very straightforward reflecting the 

matter of fact tone. Why do you think Orwell chose   to write it this way?

3. “Pinkeye was given the task of tasting all his  

[Napoleon’s] food before he are it.”

Napoleon becomes increasingly distanced and paranoid from those he seeks to control. Why do you think leaders have the propensity to become disconnected from their subjects?  

4. What is the danger of relying only on memories?

5. With regards to your response to Q4, can you think 

of a personal example where this has happened (you   have "mis-remembered" something)?

6. What do you think about the naming of the Windmill?

7. Napoleon was “directing operations from the rear”.   What does this tell us about Napoleon?

8. The animals disagree on the definition of a victory.   Who sees the battle as

(a) victorious and why?

(b) a defeat and why?

Who do you agree with and why?

9. Who is hit hardest by the destruction of the  
windmill and why?