There was also difficulty in the process. At first, the animals just could not figure out how to break up the stones onto pieces of suitable size. Animals were unable to use the picks and crowbars as they were in fours. However, they managed to solve the problem by pulling the boulders up to the top of the quarry and smashing it down. It was a slow and labourious process. However, Boxer worked extremely hard. Every time a boulder was about to slip down, it was Boxer who strained himself to hold out for the animals. He found inspiration in his two maxims which were, “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right” which were answers to all his problems. Other animals found inspiration in his incredible strength and his never-say-die spirit. Boxer also made arrangements with a cockerel to wake him up three-quarters of an hour earlier in the morning instead of half hour. During Boxer’s spare time, he will also go and work. There was also not enough food for the animals.
Soon, November’s raging southwest winds came. Building efforts ceased. One night, a violent gale rocked the farm buildings of their foundations and the windmill was destroyed. It was in ruins. Napoleon said it was Snowball who destroyed the windmill and addressed Snowball as a traitor. He pronounced the death sentence upon Snowball and will award “Animal Hero, Second Class”, and half a bushel of apples to any animal who brings Snowball to justice. A full bushel will be awarded if Snowball is being captured alive.
The rebuilding of the windmill with walls twice as thick as before was ordered by Napoleon. The rebuilding of the windmill begins on a harsh winter with little food. The animals found inspiration again in Boxer despite the bitter winter. The animals also found inspiration well knowing that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time. Squealer made excellent speeches on the joy of service and the dignity of labour but more inspiration was found in Boxer’s spirit. Throughout the year, the animals worked twice as hard as before as they had to finish a windmill with walls twice as thick as before and to finish it by an appointed date.
Meanwhile, Frederick betrayed Napoleon by paying him counterfeits for the pile of timber. He then attacked Animal Farm. This time, the animals were afraid to fight as there were fifteen men and half a dozen guns between them. They took refuge in the farm buildings and peeped cautiously out from holes. Napoleon was also at a loss, pacing up and down without a word. Meanwhile Frederick and his men had stopped about the windmill. Soon they blew up the windmill, and this triggered the animals’ courage. They were so angry that they charged forth and made straight for the enemy, not heeding the pellets being fired. Soon, the animals defeated Frederick and his men, but they had heavy casualties. The windmill was gone: a second time. The animals were devastated. The only animals who wanted celebration were the pigs. Napoleon also wanted the rebuilding to begin again.
The windmill symbolizes the animals’ efforts and hard work. This could be shown after the Battle of the Windmill. Despite having scored a victory over Frederick and his men, they were devastated as their effort and years of hard work went down the drain. The pigs were the ones in the mood to celebrate victory as they did not put in a single bit of effort at all. It is also a motivation for the animals in life, thinking of the positive points of life after it is finished. They were also very happy despite a day of hard work as they felt that they had achieved something. The windmill also symbolizes the pride of Animal Farm as it would make human beings jealous. It also embodies hope for the animals.
As for the pigs, the windmill symbolizes their tool of distraction. With the animals’ complete devotion on the windmill, they would have little time and energy left to think for themselves, let alone the pigs’ violation of the commandments. The second rebuilding of the windmill helped Napoleon to divert the animals’ attention to the windmill and will not notice Napoleon’s failures in assuming leadership of Animal Farm.
In the first destruction of the windmill, Napoleon made use of this chance to tarnish Snowball’s reputation. In his speech, he used various methods of persuasion such as rhetorical question and falsified argument. Pronouncing the death sentence will give the animals the mindset that Snowball is indeed a traitor of Animal Farm. By assigning the task of building the windmill to the animals, he could also make use of the opportunity to reduce their rations and increase the pigs’ food. He had stated about the reduction in rations from the start of the plan after Snowball’s expulsion. Also, in building the windmill, the animals had come across problems such as how to break up the huge boulders. This would divert their full attention to think of the solution.
In conclusion, the two attempts end in disaster as Napoleon did not seriously want to build a windmill that is for the animals’ welfare, rather than for the pigs’ welfare. In the process, despite the embarrassing situation of guilelessly accepting counterfeits, he was able to assume supremacy over Animal Farm and the animals.
