Blog #21 - Steven Mantello - Period 7 - 4/27/20

4/27/20

Steven Mantello

Period 7

Sophomores 2020

Blog #21

Aim: How does Orwell criticize society through Boxer and Benjamin?

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

The reading in correlation with today’s lesson consisted of chapter 8 and 9 of the novel Animal Farm. In these chapters, we continue to see the effects of authority and memory being taken advantage of by a figure in power, which is a topic that the previous lesson was centered on. However, as the story continues to develop, we see that the animals who work hard on the farm have begun to simply assume that their memories are at fault rather than doubt the lies told to them. This differs from previous events.

In chapter 7, we see Napoleon tell the animals that Snowball was in collaboration with Mr. Jones from the start. He also goes on to tell them about how bravely he fought in the Battle of the Cowshed while Snowball tried to make the animals lose. While the reader knows that these are lies due to reading the true events earlier in the novel, the animals are unsure. They are indeed doubtful at first, but after eloquent words from Squealer, who represents propaganda, they are convinced that the events Napoleon recalled are true. Because the animals do not know of Napoleon’s malicious intentions which include his hunger for power, they have no reason to believe that Napoleon would lie to them. As stated, the animals no longer question the lies or strange occurrences surrounding the pigs in chapter 8. They instead assume that their memories are at fault without argument. While this was slightly surprising to me at first, after some thought I determined that it was expected to eventually happen. For example, following the executions in the previous chapter, the animals notice that a command that once read “No animal shall kill any other animal” now reads “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause”. Though it is obvious to the reader that Napoleon had the commandment changed due to the executions he saw to, the animals assume their memories are at fault and that they had forgotten the last two words.

While trying to sell leftover timber on the farm to either Mr. Frederick or Mr. Pilkington, the owners of the neighboring farms, Napoleon has Squealer make each farmer look bad to the rest of the animals on separate occasions. He does this because the farmer that seems to be the one that will eventually buy the wood switches back and forth constantly. Eventually, Mr. Frederick buys it only for Napoleon to discover that he was tricked and given fake money. Soon afterward Mr. Frederick’s men attack the farm and blow up the windmill that the animals had been working on tirelessly. A vicious fight occurs between the two groups and many animals die. Following the battle many animals are discouraged and injured, but a flag raising ceremony helps raise their spirits. 

As the animals once again begin construction on the windmill, food rations get smaller and smaller as the farm runs low on money. Boxer remains badly injured from the battle, but continues to work his hardest everyday. Animal Farm gets declared a republic, with Napoleon as its president, unsurprisingly. I connected this to the declaration of the USSR as a republic back in the early 20th century, as it is apparent that Napoleon’s character parallels Joseph Stalin in the real world. 

One day Boxer collapses while working hard on the windmill. Napoleon announces that he will have Boxer picked up and brought to a human hospital to help him. However, Benjamin notices that the truck that Boxer is picked up in belongs to a glue maker, and he realizes that Boxer is getting taken to be slaughtered. This left me in shock - as I immediately assumed that Napoleon’s intention was for Boxer to be sent to be slaughtered. Because the reader has seen all of Napoleon’s intentions throughout the book, they can assume that this was no mistake, as it was him who had the truck pick up Boxer. As a reader who easily saw through Napoleon’s actions over the course of the book, I was, for the first, time, left confused. The animals cry out to Boxer, telling him to escape, but his attempt fails and he is never seen again. Following this event, Squealer eventually announces that Boxer has “died at the hospital with Napoleon at his side while praising the glory of Animal Farm”. Like many other lies told in the book, the reader can assume that the pigs are once again lying to the animals to avoid painting themselves in a negative light. It once again is no surprise to me when Squealer tells the animals that the hospital was using a truck that used to belong to a glue factory, and the animals believe him with a sigh of relief.

Today’s Lesson

The Do Now from today’s lesson consisted of two questions:

1. Agree/Disagree: “I can trust those in positions of authority to make decisions that are in my best interest.”

2. If you had knowledge about a situation that could help someone else would you tell them, even though you might get in trouble? Explain.

As a class discussion began, it is safe to say that most who took part in this discussion had a similar opinion - which matched mine as well. In terms of trusting those in positions of authority to make decisions that are in my best interest, I believe that you should not always do so. As very clearly seen in Animal Farm through the actions of Napoleon, not all those in power should be trusted to make decisions that will benefit the people they have power over. Furthermore, if I had knowledge about a situation that could help someone, I would most likely tell them, depending on the situation. If I believe the situation involves me and it is morally correct to tell the other person, I will do so despite the consequences. However, if it is not my place to involve myself in the situation I will most likely stray away from doing so.

After the Do Now, we moved on to a partner activity where we were to analyze two images to discuss and write about while considering and identifying the audience, bias, message, perspective, and persuasive technique (Aristotle's) being implemented. A number of images were presented and my partner and I picked the following two:

We determined that both images shared something in common: they both use a rhetorical appeal to get the attention of the audience. Starting with the image on the left, it is apparent that it is from the perspective of someone who is vegan or promotes veganism. They seem to support it because eating meat harms animals, hence the quote “I’m ME, Not MEAT.” The rhetoric appeal being used here is pathos, as the creator of the image is attempting to appeal to the audience’s emotions in order to promote veganism. The second image, on the other hand, is from a more specific perspective - seemingly the NYC government based on the logo in the bottom right. They are promoting the fact that there is much more sugar in sugary drinks than most people think in order to indirectly get a point across - we should not be drinking them if we do not want to gain weight. This image uses ethos by stating facts as well as providing credibility, which the logo in the bottom right represents.

Following this activity, we were introduced to a key term in today’s lesson - a tragic hero. Much information was discussed surrounding the features of a tragic hero, but to put it simply - a tragic hero is a character in a story that evokes emotion and pity from the audience. They typically make an error of judgement that leads to their downfall, which is usually undeserving. This downfall evokes the pity and emotion that the audience feels for them.

We discussed basic characteristics of a tragic hero, which included:

• Hamartia – a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of a hero.
• Hubris – excessive pride and disrespect for the natural order of things.
• Peripeteia – The reversal of fate that the hero experiences.
• Anagnorisis – a moment in time when a hero makes an important discovery in the story. AKA: “Oh Crap Moment”
• Nemesis – a punishment that the protagonist cannot avoid, usually occurring as a result of his hubris.
• Catharsis – feelings of pity and fear felt by the audience, for the inevitable downfall of the protagonist.

We were also provided with two videos to help further understand the idea and purpose of a tragic hero. Throughout the discussion of the lesson, I couldn’t help but think of Boxer when the concept of a tragic hero was delved into - and it seems that my thoughts were expected, as our assignment for the day is to determine if Boxer is a tragic hero or not, based on the events of chapters 8 and 9. I personally think that he fits most of the criteria - he faces a tragic downfall, which occurs when he has an (as the lesson put it) “Oh Crap Moment” while being taken to the glue factory. The death of Boxer was undoubtedly honorable and evoked emotion and pity from I, the reader, so I believe he should be considered a tragic hero.

Life Update: Working From Home

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict us all and keep us in our homes, I must say that though the situation is not ideal, I am handling this “quarantine” much better than I expected I would. Working from home has, of course, been a large part of it, and I do spend much of my time at home attending class and completing schoolwork. However, I don’t mind this - having work to occupy me undoubtedly takes the dark mood that the earth is facing off of my mind, at least for short segments at a time. It’s definitely very different from the experience we’re all used to, and I took time to get accustomed to it. That being said, I am very satisfied with the way my school and teachers have handled the unfortunate circumstances that we are in. The work assigned to us is very clear, and we are expected to collaborate with our peers to complete a large amount of it. I am also glad I get to remain connected with my teachers and friends through video calls and emails as well as social media for the latter. A concept that once seemed like an unrealistic joke to us all (remote learning) is now our reality, and I must say it’s been quite the interesting experience so far!

Reflection

Though I have delved into the many details of today’s material, there are undoubtedly multiple takeaways I have from the lesson and reading. In terms of the reading, I continued to learn that not all those in power should be trusted to make decisions for those they have power over. It is important to know that in many cases, someone being in power does not mean they are always qualified to have that level of power. I believe this was taught to us because it can be applied to both Napoleon’s character in Animal Farm while also being applied to countless situations in modern day. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic that is taking the world by storm, those in power are left to make extremely important decisions. However, many decisions that have been made have been controversial and it is important to apply this concept to modern day for that reason, which is how I will use what I learned. Lastly, I learned through the concept of a tragic hero that sometimes in society, people will only speak up once someone or something they care about is taken away from them. I learned this through Benjamin’s actions - he only spoke up for the first time once Boxer, someone he cared about, was being taken away. This displays that in some situations, a tragic hero is the only one people evoke pity for due to their characteristics. Orwell criticizes society for only taking pity and speaking up once something that is cared for is taken away - and, as shown, does so through Boxer and Benjamin. I will use this information in my life from now on, remembering to be more aware and show concern for all things regardless of their level of importance to me.