Animal Farm (George Orwell) - Chapter- 8 (Novel)

As Animal Farm enters its fourth year of independence, the gap between the pigs and the other animals is growing rapidly. Napoleon, with the help of his ferocious dogs and the persuasive Squealer, has consolidated his control. The animals are struggling to survive, but their memories of the past are dim, and they cling desperately to hope.

One of the most striking changes is the pigs' increasing resemblance to humans. They walk upright on two legs, carry whips, and even begin to wear clothes. These startling changes greatly disturb the other animals, but their confusion and exhaustion make them reluctant to protest.

Napoleon continues to revise history to suit his needs. Snowball is still blamed for every problem, portrayed as a despicable traitor who sabotaged the farm. Napoleon's propaganda machine makes the rebellion look flawless except for Snowball's intervention. Meanwhile, Napoleon boasts of deals with neighboring farms that once seemed unthinkable, claiming that these alliances are necessary to protect Animal Farm.

A key event is Napoleon's treacherous deal with Mr. Frederick, the owner of Punchfield Farm. Frederick pays Napoleon counterfeit money in exchange for wood, and when Napoleon discovers the fraud, he is furious but powerless. In retaliation, Napoleon leads the animals in an attack on Frederick's farm, known as the Battle of the Windmill. Frederick's men use guns to destroy the windmill that the animals have worked so hard to build. Although the animals eventually chase away the attackers, the windmill is shattered, and the farm is left in ruins.

The destruction of the windmill symbolizes the fragile nature of the animal revolution and the constant threat of human hostility. Yet Napoleon spins the story, telling the animals that the war was a great victory. He awards himself a medal and gives rousing speeches to boost morale, while the animals, despite their exhaustion, try to rebuild the windmill with renewed determination.

Meanwhile, food shortages persist and the animals suffer from hunger and cold. Napoleon blames natural disasters and enemies but never admits to failures in leadership. The pigs live in luxury, enjoying the farm's finest food and housing, while the other animals scrape by.

The Seven Commandments, which once governed Animal Farm, have now been reduced to a single maxim, written in large letters on the barn wall:

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

This twisted sentence encapsulates the complete betrayal of the ideals of animalism.

The animals struggle to reconcile their memories of the past with the harsh reality around them. Boxer, the loyal cart horse, continues his endless toil, but even he is starting to show signs of wear. When he falls and gets injured, the other animals fear for their future, knowing how important he is to the farm.

Napoleon's rule is becoming increasingly ruthless. He organizes elaborate banquets for the pigs and their human companions, while the rest of the animals remain hungry and cold. The pigs trade with the humans and even invite them to drinks and parties at the farmhouse. The lines between the oppressors and the oppressed become completely blurred.

One of the most poignant moments comes when the animals look out the farmhouse windows and see the pigs eating with the human farmers. They see Napoleon shaking hands with Mr. Pilkington, one of the humans, and the two groups toasting each other. The animals realize with horror that the pigs have become separated from the humans they have overthrown.

Orwell uses this scene to show the ultimate demise of the ideas of the revolution. The new rulers are as corrupt and oppressive as the old ones, if not worse.

The chapter ends on a note of bitter irony and despair. The animals outside the farmhouse can no longer tell pigs from humans, and their hopes for equality and justice have been crushed under the weight of oppression and betrayal.