Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
After the executions, the Sixth Commandment is revealed to include “without cause,” and a cult of Napoleon intensifies. Napoleon tricks Frederick over timber but is paid with forged notes; Frederick’s men attack and destroy the new windmill before being driven off. The “victory” is glorified, the banknote scandal forgotten, and the pigs discover whisky. Following a suspicious night, the alcohol commandment is quietly revised to “to excess.”
Summary
In the aftermath of the executions, the animals discover the Sixth Commandment now reads “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause,” easing doubts about the recent killings. Work intensifies to rebuild the windmill with thicker walls, while Squealer’s statistics and failing memories keep the animals compliant despite hunger.
Napoleon withdraws from daily view behind ceremonies: titles, a cockerel herald, private apartments, and Minimus’s ode “Comrade Napoleon” beside his portrait. Through Whymper, Napoleon plays Frederick and Pilkington over a timber sale as rumors of Snowball’s plots and Frederick’s cruelties spread. Hens are executed for a supposed plot against Napoleon, security tightens with dogs and Pinkeye tasting food, and Snowball is further discredited for cowardice and sabotage.
After exhausting effort, the windmill is completed and named Napoleon Mill. Abruptly, Napoleon announces the timber is sold to Frederick for cash. The animals soon learn the banknotes are forged, and Napoleon declares a death sentence on Frederick while seeking reconciliation with Pilkington, who replies “Serves you right.”
Frederick and fifteen men attack, using guns to drive the animals back and then demolishing the windmill with explosives. Enraged, the animals counterattack. Despite casualties and wounds, including to Boxer, they force the men to flee. Squealer reframes the day as a triumph, and Napoleon stages funerals, decorations, and two days of celebration, during which the banknote swindle is forgotten and the battle is named the Battle of the Windmill.
Soon the pigs find whisky and carouse; by morning Squealer announces Napoleon is dying, and a death penalty for alcohol is proclaimed. Napoleon quickly recovers, orders brewing manuals, and has a paddock ploughed for barley. After Squealer is found with a ladder, paint, and brush by the commandments, Muriel later reads a revised Fifth Commandment: “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.”
Who Appears
- NapoleonExpands his cult, sells timber to Frederick, is duped by forged notes, leads war celebrations, and later embraces alcohol.
- SquealerPropagandist inflating figures, praising Napoleon, reframing defeat as victory, and likely alters commandments after the whisky incident.
- BoxerValiant fighter in the battle; wounded yet resolves to rebuild, aware of his aging strength.
- FrederickBuys timber with forged notes, attacks with armed men, and blows up the windmill before fleeing.
- PilkingtonBriefly courted by Napoleon; refuses aid during attack, sending the message, “Serves you right.”
- BenjaminReads little, spots the blasting plan, and silently understands the commandment tampering.
- MurielReads commandments, revealing added phrases “without cause” and “to excess.”
- WhymperBroker for deals; brings news of forged banknotes, negotiates windmill machinery.
- MinimusComposes the poem “Comrade Napoleon,” bolstering the leader’s cult of personality.
- PinkeyeYoung pig assigned to taste Napoleon’s food for poison.