Theme
This theme dominates the early chapters and builds the foundation for the book.
Provide 2 examples of this theme.
What is revolution and rebellion? (Examples may vary)
After the pigs move into the farmhouse, what specific actions signify their growing resemblance to humans?
What are actions like drinking alcohol, sleeping in beds, engaging in trade with humans, walking on two legs?
These battles are allegorical for the Russian Civil War and World War II. Why?
What is The Battle of the Cowshed and The Battle of the Windmill? (Explanations may vary)
The place where Old Major gives his initial speech that inspires the rebellion and was a safe space for the animals.
What is the barn?
This word, meaning "to settle comfortably," describes how Old Major was positioned in the barn during his speech.
What is ensconced?
This theme explores the idea that those who take power often become what they initially opposed and rebelled against.
Provide 2 examples of this theme.
What is power and corruption? (Examples may vary)
This character leaves the farm to chase material privileges, symbolizing those unwilling to betray their leader or sacrifice for a cause. Discuss their role in the allegory.
Who is Mollie, representing the loyalty to wealth/monarchy or revolutionary dissentients who prioritize personal gain over the rebellion?
The original seven commandments are replaced by this single phrased maxim.
What is "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"?
This setting becomes a symbol of both hope and exploitation as the animals work tirelessly to build it.
What is the windmill?
This noun meaning ill will or hatred describes Napoleon's feelings for Snowball.
What is malignity?
This theme is highlighted through the privilege of the ruling class animals, who exploit and manipulate the other working class animals.
Provide 2 examples of this theme.
What is class struggle and inequality? (Examples may vary)
This character’s role as the farm’s propagandist is critical in rewriting history, such as changing the commandments.
Who is Squealer, representing the dangers of propaganda in controlling truth and suppressing dissentients?
Snowball’s banishment parallels which historical event, and what does it reveal about power struggles in revolutionary movements?
What is Trotsky’s exile, showing the ruthless elimination of political rivals to keep control of the masses?
This battle has been rewritten in history several times. What really happened?
What is the Battle of the Cowshed?
The Battle of the Cowshed was a coordinated attack by Mr. Jones and his men to retake Animal Farm after the rebellion. Snowball led the animals with a strategic ambush, resulting in the humans retreating and the animals defending their independence successfully.
Defined as hiding or moving about with a sense of shame or cowardice, this word describes Snowball under the manipulations of Squealer.
What is skulking?
Education (or the lack thereof) plays a significant role in maintaining the theme of class inequality. How does Orwell represent this through the 2 leaders in the novel?
What is Napoleon uses education to manipulate the youth, raising the puppies as loyal enforcers to secure his power. Snowball wants to educate all animals, promoting literacy and fairness to uphold the ideals of Animalism?
Analyze how the minor characters (like Moses, the dogs, or the sheep) contribute to Napoleon’s consolidation of power.
What are Moses’ tales of Sugarcandy Mountain, the dogs violence and intimidation, and the sheep’s mindless repetition of propaganda, all used to pacify, intimidate, or distract the masses?
The Russian Revolutionary figures that each character represents.
Mr. Jones; Old Major; Snowball; Napoleon; Mr. Frederick
Who is Tsar Nicholas; Vladimir Lenin; Leon Trotsky; Joseph Stalin; and Adolph Hitler?
The animals honor their victories with ceremonies featuring a skull, a flag, a gun, and "Spontaneous Demonstrations." How do these settings and rituals reinforce Napoleon’s control over the farm?
What is the use of militaristic symbols and rituals to instill loyalty, suppress dissent, and glorify Napoleon’s rule in a God-like manner?
Referring to expressions of sorrow, this word captures the animals’ reactions after the executions and Boxer’s tragic death.
What is lamentations?
In the final act of corruption the farm is renamed from "Animal Farm" back to this original name. What does this change signify about the outcome of the animals’ rebellion?
What is "Manor Farm," symbolizing the full reversal of the revolution and the return to tyranny under a new, maybe worse leader?
Compare the irony of Boxer’s blind loyalty to Napoleon to Benjamin’s negativity and resistance. How do their contrasting attitudes affect their fates?
What are Boxer’s tragic death and Benjamin’s survival as reflections of loyalty and complicity?
In Chapter 8 these two commandments were changed to what?
What is "‘No animal shall kill any other animal without cause." and "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."
Pilkington (Foxwood) and Frederick' (Pinchfield) Farms serve as setting allegorical representations of real-world political powerhouses. How do their interactions with Animal Farm critique the strength of alliances?
What are the farms symbolizing opportunistic nations like England/US (Foxwood) trying to gain whatever privileges Russia has to offer and Germany (Pinchfield) eager to betray Russia when the opportunity is right?
These two words describe the speaking skills of the 2 leaders; one refers to Napoleon’s vague and mysterious instructions, while the other refers to Snowball’s ability to explain his ideas clearly.
What is cryptic and articulate?