Chapter 5
“Political subversion depends on a subversion of logic and language.” (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/animalfarm/section5.rhtml)
1. What does this quote mean to you?
2. How, specifically, is this true in Chapter 5?
3. Can you think of any other example, either fictional or historical, of political subversion that depended on a subversion of logic and language? (If it helps any of you, I'm thinking Harry Potter).
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I believe that this quote means that in order to overthrow or take over a government, you must be able to first over power the government with brains. This is true in chapter 5 because Snowball tries to step up to the number one leader by stealing Napoleon’s plans for making a windmill and using them as his own. Napoleon knew this so he tried to get the animals to not vote for the windmill and make them all realize that it was actually his idea. Napoleon then released the dogs he had been secretly training to chase Snowball off the farm. One example of historical subversion could be the French Revolution. During this time many of the French citizens did not agree with the ideas of the kings and queens. They rebelled and took over France. After the rebellion most of the top kings and queens were put to death.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this quote means that the only way a minority can overthrow there government is to change the way they do different things. In doing this, it may prove that they are fully capable of functioning without the current help of the goverment system. This is true in chapter 5 because napoleon uses the dogs in private to overthrow snowball and expell him from the farm. Napoleon uses the dogs to stop anyone from voiceing there opinions of the situation at hand. Napoleon raised the dogs to do what he says and obey him, and he is using this as an advantage. And i can not think of any other examples, harry potter is not a good example.
ReplyDeleteI think that the quote means that if you want to over rule something you have to find a way to control the highest power or the person or subject in charge. In chapter 5 Napoleon wants to build a windmill but Snowball steals his ideas so Napoleon acts as if he is against building the windmill. As time passes he finds a way of getting rid of Snowball but letting out the dogs that he has been training since their birth. He now has control and knows that all the animals must obey his rules and he makes them work harder. One example of subversion could maybe be dictatorships, at first the dictators seems as if they want what is best for their people. They work together to form this perfect country and then they rebel as the animals did. They change the laws of the land they end up being the worst enemy of their people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this quote means that when attempting to overthrow another government you must prove that you have the ability to take over that certain position. This is true in chapter 5 because when snowball stole napoleons idea and said it was his own, napoleon fought back and tried to make the other animals not vote for “snowball’s plan so that napoleon could keep his stand. Napoleon had been secretly training the dogs to chase snowball off the farm to make sure the majority vote didn’t go for the windmill plan. One example of historical subversion was in the holocaust how Hitler was basically the man is charge of everything but U.S, Britain and Russia were all against him and were attempting to overthrow him but he became to powerful.
ReplyDeleteTo me this quote means that in order to overthrow a political system and stay in power, the people's thinking must be controlled to see everything your way. In Chapter 5 Napoleon uses Squealer to bend the people's thoughts to suit his own views. Whenever he does something that looks like it is for his own benefit, he sends Squealer around to tell the animals that he was being selfless and actually made a sacrifice. By doing this he is taking advantage of the less intelligent animals who believe whatever is told to them. For those individuals who are as smart as he is and who have their own opinions, Napoleon uses fear to keep them from voicing their thoughts. Whenever the pigs start to speak up, Napoleon's dogs growl and they are too intimidated to finish speaking.
ReplyDeleteIn current day North Korea the government depends on the people believing what they want them to. The people are made to think their government is the best even though that is not the case.
This quote means that in order to overthrow something you must be able to control that position first. This is true in chapter five because it says that snowball stole the plans to build the windmill from Napoleon. Although Napoleon knew they were his own ideas he used logic. In using logic he decided to go against the windmill idea so people would look down on snowball. I cannot think of any examples.
ReplyDeleteTo me this quote means that if you would like to overthrow you must be a knowledgeable and persuasive person. This is true in chapter 5 because both snowball and napolean both tried to out wit each other anf from the ideas of the windmill. Napolean than used logic to go against the proposal of the windmill so other animals on the farm would follow. TO me an example is Obama saying he is aginast the war in Iraq so he could get more votes and he ended up winning.
ReplyDelete1) It means the only way people can overthrow their government is to change the way they do things. It proves that they are able to function without the help of the current government system.
ReplyDelete2) Napoleon was most likely planning on using the dogs in his advantage since they were born and he took them into his possession. He groomed them to be his dogs and do what he tells them to do.
3) I hate Harry Potter
I think that the quote means that if you want to take over something bad enough you have to find a new way control the highest power or whoever is in charge In chapter 5 He wants to build a windmill but Snowball takes napoleans ideas so he he pretends that he doesnt want to build it anymore...he finds a way of getting rid of Snowball. He now has control and knows that all the animals must obey him and makes them work harder. dictatorships, at first the dictators seemsthey want the best for the people around. They come together to form this perfect country and then they rebel as the animals did.
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote means that the political subversion from napoleon to drive snowball out depends on logic the way things were worded. The subversion would be when napoleon annexed snowball out with the dogs overtaking the farm by force. Napoleon represents communism/dictatorship and snowball represents democracy. When snowball was driven out it represented that Napoleon wanted all the power and when Snowball tried to set forth an idea Napoleon was jealous and greedy for more power. After Napoleon drove Snowball out he further demonstrated his want for power by him telling the animals that there would be no more meetings and that the pigs would make all the decisions. This pretty much means that Napoleon has all the power since squealer doesn’t say anything. This shows that the shift from democracy to dictatorship occurred in this chapter. An example of political subversion was when Adolf hitler took control of germany in 1933.
ReplyDeleteThis quote means to me that politics have to be very logical and they also have to be able to use their words well. If a politic cannot talk well to their viewers, then they will not be able to beat their opponent. In this chapter, Snowball and Napoleon are fighting with eachother about everything, whether its about making a windmill or just about harvesting more food. They are both fighting for power. Some of the animals already chose sides and will try and help their leader out when they are giving a speech. Napoleon finally got tired of Snowballs leadership and decided to let his weapon out. The puppies that he took were let loose and were able to drive Snowball out of the farm so that now he has complete control over the farm and everything will be done his way. An example of this would be the war between us and germany.
ReplyDeleteThis quote means to me that political dominance doesn't always mean the smartest, most logical, or most inventive politician. I think that it means which ever figure is better at presenting their ideas, "logic and language," if you will. In this chapter, Snowball and Napoleon are at odds with the windmill production. Snowball is advocating the production of it, and later in the chapter we learn that both pigs are actually for it, and it was Napoleon's idea in the first place. Snowball is "kicked off the island" because Napoleon just doesn't want Snowball in political opposition with him.
ReplyDeleteThis quote to me means, that just because the way you view a political standing may be more logical to you and you would think reaches out to other better, doesnt mean that other peoples views are the same as your. They could think something you think is logical is not to them. In chapter 5 this quote could come into effect with Squealer, because he went around making alot of speeches to everyone but they werent always logical and didnt always make sense but he got the message across of how things should be. Another example is the Holocaust. Hitler convince everyone that to kill the jews would make things easier and it was right because they are more superior.
ReplyDelete