Characters
This character represents Karl Marx, the founder of Communism.
Old Major (pig)
State an example of appealing to the animals' fears.
If the pigs don't have enough brainpower by being allowed to eat the milk and apples, Mr. Jones might come back.
Squealer says after Napoleon takes over that the animals need to be loyal, obedient, and disciplined, because Mr. Jones could come back if they make one false step.
Napoleon uses the dogs to scare the animals.
What provokes the animals to overthrow Mr. Jones in Ch. 2?
Mr. Jones and his men forget to feed them and whip the animals when they break into the store shed to get food.
What is the first historical event that Animal Farm is an allegory for?
The Russian Revolution
Why does Napoleon train the puppies alone? What is their purpose?
He is going to "educate" (brainwash) them. Their purpose is to protect Napoleon, scare the other animals into submission, and carry out Napoleon's dirty work (like executing "traitors).
This character represents Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union who becomes a dictator.
“Four legs good, two legs bad” is an example of which two types of propaganda?
Slogan and repetition
What happens to the windmill the first time it collapses? What does Napoleon say happened to the windmill?
It was knocked down during a storm. Napoleon says Snowball did it to sabotage them.
In addition to an allegory, this story is also considered a ___________ and ___________.
Satire and fable
What is one of the slogans Boxer makes up for himself?
This character represents wealthy people who left the Soviet Union.
Mollie (horse)
State an example of appealing to the animals’ basic needs and desires.
Old Major says that if they overthrow the humans, they will have more food and freedom.
Snowball gets support for the windmill by saying they will have electricity, heat, running water, and will only have to work three days a week.
What excuse do the pigs give for needing the milk and apples for themselves?
They need the extra brainpower to keep the farm running.
This character never believed that things would actually change.
Benjamin the donkey
What is the one Commandment left at the end of the story?
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
This character shows how easily Stalin and the Soviet Union could betray even its most loyal citizens.
Boxer (horse)
The song “Beasts of England” involves which types of propaganda? Name at least two.
Repetition, loaded words, powerful images
How do the animals have the military technique to win the Battle of the Cowshed (the first time the humans come back)?
Snowball read a book of Julius Caesar's military techniques.
Satire means the author is criticizing or making fun of something. What is the main thing Orwell is criticizing in this book? Explain how you know that.
He is criticizing Communism in the Soviet Union, which became a dictatorship under Stalin's rule. The animals rebel against the humans to gain their freedom, but the pigs take over and make the farm the same as before.
What are two specific disagreements between Snowball and Napoleon?
They fight over which crops to plant in which parts of the fields.
They fight over which animals to educate.
They argue over building the windmill.
Explain how Moses the raven represents religion in the Soviet Union.
He tells the animals that if they work hard enough, they will get to go to Sugarcandy Mountain someday, which is the animals' version of Heaven. The pigs don't like him, but let him stay around because he encourages the animals to work harder (Stalin did the same thing with religion).
State a specific example of loaded words from the text.
The pigs need milk and apples for "brainpower." (It has been proved by science.)
Squealer says Napoleon used "tactics" to get rid of Snowball and build the windmill himself.
Etc.
List the three changes made to the Seven Commandments throughout the story.
No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
No animal shall kill another animal without cause.
No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
A fable refers to the moral or lesson of the story. What is the moral of this story regarding equality? Explain your answer.
Answers may vary, but one possibility is that true equality is impossible.
Create a theme for this book and provide evidence for it from the text. Make sure the theme is an argument!
Answers will vary. Mostly opinion-based.