Question

What happens when Mr. Frederick attacks Animal Farm?

• A. The animals lose the battle
• B. The animals win the battle but suffer casualties
• C. Napoleon surrenders immediately
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The animals win the battle but suffer casualties

The Battle of the Windmill: An Allegory of War and Betrayal

• The attack by Mr. Frederick and his men on Animal Farm is famously known as 'The Battle of the Windmill'. This battle is a pivotal moment in George Orwell's Animal Farm, symbolizing the brutal invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany during World War II.

• Background to the Attack:

  • Mr. Frederick, the owner of the neighboring farm Pinchfield, represents Nazi Germany. He is depicted as a shrewd and untrustworthy character.
  • The immediate cause of the attack was Napoleon's decision to sell a pile of timber to Frederick, only for Frederick to pay with forged banknotes, thereby defrauding Animal Farm. This betrayal fuels the animals' rage and determination in the subsequent battle.
  • Frederick's attack also stems from his fear of the animal rebellion spreading to his own farm and his desire to exploit Animal Farm's resources.

• Course and Nature of the Battle:

  • Frederick's men are heavily armed with guns and dynamite, unlike the simple sticks and boots used by Mr. Jones and his men in the Battle of the Cowshed.
  • The primary target of the attack is the newly completed windmill, a symbol of the animals' hard work, progress, and independence. The men succeed in blowing up the windmill, which devastates the animals.
  • The battle is fierce and brutal, marked by heavy gunfire and explosions. Many animals are killed or wounded, highlighting the high cost of defending their ideals and territory.
  • Despite initial despair after the windmill's destruction, the animals, particularly spurred by Boxer's courage and Napoleon's rallying cries, launch a desperate counterattack.

• Outcome and Aftermath:

  • The animals ultimately succeed in driving Frederick and his men off the farm, winning the battle. However, this victory comes at a tremendous cost.
  • The most significant casualty is the destruction of the windmill, which represents a massive loss of labor, resources, and morale.
  • Many animals suffer severe injuries, including Boxer, whose split hoof injury during this battle later contributes to his tragic demise.
  • Despite the heavy casualties and the destruction, the pigs, led by Squealer, immediately engage in propaganda, glorifying the 'victory' and downplaying the losses to maintain the animals' morale and control.
  • This event underscores the theme of war's futility and destruction, even for the 'victors,' and serves as a sharp critique of totalitarian regimes' manipulation of truth.