Muldoon Name: ________________________English 9

Animal Farm Study Guide

Chapter 11. Who owns Manor Farm and what character flaw (vice) does he have? Who does he correlate to in

Russian history?

- Farmer: Mr. Jones

- Vice: He drinks too much!

- Symbolism in real world: Czar Nicholas II

2. Who is Old Major and why does he assemble the animals?Old Major is a well-respected, prize Middle White boar (pig) who assembled everyone because he had a dream that he wanted to tell the other animals about.

3. List the ideals outlined by Old Major that should occur after the rebellion.

- Whatever goes on two legs is an enemy.

- Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

- Don’t adopt man’s vices.

- Don’t sleep in a bed. (Or live in a house, or wear clothes)

- Don’t drink alcohol. (or smoke, or touch money, or engage in trade)

- No animal must ever kill another animal.

- All animals are equal.

4. What political figure in history does Old Major seem to represent at this point in the story and why? Karl Marx --- the creator of Communism. Old Major proposes the idea that ALL are equal.

Chapter 2

1. Who are the three main pigs and what do they name the system of thought taught by Old Major? (What

does this system symbolize in real life?)

- 3 pigs: Napoleon, Snowball, Squealer

- Old Major’s system of thought: Animalism

- Symbolization in the real world: Communism

2. Name two “stupid questions” the animals had about Animalism?

- “Will there be any sugar after the Rebellion?” asked Mollie.

- “Will I still be allowed to wear ribbons in my hair?” asked Mollie.

3. What animal is Mr. Jones spy and what lies does he tell the other animals?

- Animal: Moses the raven

- Lies he tells: Sugar Candy Mountain is a place where all animals go when they die—a

place up in the sky where they never had to work and could eat sugar all day.

4. What finally causes the animals to rebel?

- Cause of rebellion: Mr. Jones got so drunk he forgot to feed the animals, and his hired

workers were lazy so they didn’t feed them either. The animals chased the humans

away.

5. What is done with the harness-room contents and the farmhouse?

- Harness-room: broken open, flung all chains, knives, etc. down the well, and burned the

halters and reins.

- Farmhouse: Buried the hams in the kitchen; spilled the beer. Touched nothing else.

6. What have the pigs been doing for the last three months?They’d been teaching themselves to read and write.

7. What do they rename the farm?Animal Farm

8. List the Seven Commandments:- Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

- Whatever goes upon 4 legs, or has wings, is a friend.

- No animal shall wear clothes.

- No animal shall sleep in a bed.

- No animal shall drink alcohol.

- No animal shall kill any other animal.

- All animals are equal.

9. What happened to the milk the pigs got from the cows? What seems odd about the answer given by the pigs? It suddenly disappeared. Napoleon said, “Never mind the mild, comrades! It will be attended to.” So they must have taken it for themselves?

Chapter 31. Name two problems the animals encounter after the rebellion.

- Couldn’t shuck the corn – no hands/fingers!

- Couldn’t use most of the tools

2. How do each of the animals contribute to life on the farm:

- Pigs: Supervised and directed the others

- Horses: mowing, raking the field; Boxer worked longer hours than anyone

- Ducks/Hens: gathered stray grains for harvest

3. How well do the animals work together? Why do you think so?

Well. It seems that everyone has a job they are capable of doing and no one complained or stle

extra rations of the harvest.

4. Are all the animals truly equal? Describe any “classes” or rankings that you see.

No. The pigs don’t do any actual labor, but instead put forth resolutions to change how things are

run and have a special “headquarters” room.

5. What shows that there are already problems in the leadership of the new government?

Snowball and Napoleon constantly fight.

6. Who among the workers is the most admired? Why?

Boxer.

7. What two pigs are emerging as leaders? How do they differ?

- Two pigs: Snowball vs. Napoleon

- Differing traits: Snowball formed committees, Napoleon valued educating the young

8. How successful are each of the animals in learning to read and write:

- Pigs: fluent at both

- Dogs: learned fairly well; uninterested

- Goat: could read well

- Donkey: could read, chose not to

- Horses: couldn’t get past the letters

- Other animals: couldn’t read at all

9. What single maxim are the Seven Commandments reduced to?

“Four legs good, two legs bad”

10. Why are the birds bothered by the single maxim? What explanation does Snowball give that seems to

appease them?

The birds only have 2 legs! Snowball assures them they do have four legs because their

wings count as legs. They don’t have hands—which is the distinguishing mark of a human. j

11. Who is taking the milk and who was sent to explain the reason for this?

The pigs are taking it. Squealer came to explain it

12. Name one of the arguments used to explain the use of the milk?

The pigs actually dislike the apples and milk; they need to preserve their health and

improve their brains.

13. What do you think the incident of the milk corresponds with in the Russian Revolution?

Chapter 41. How did Napoleon and Snowball spread the news of the rebellion to the animals on neighboring farms?

Pigeons were sent to mingle with the animals on other farms about the rebellion and “Beasts of the

England”

2. How does the narrator describe Foxwood farm and its leader Mr. Pilkington? What do they represent in

history?

- Foxwood: large, neglected, old-fashioned, parts in disgraceful condition

- Pilkington: easy-going gentleman, spent most of his time hunting

- Symbolization in the real world: United States/ England/ Capitalism

3. How does the narrator describe Pinchfield and its leader Mr. Frederick? What do they represent in

history?

- Pinchfield: smaller, better kept

- Frederick: tough, shrewd man, always involved in lawsuits and drove hard bargains

- Symbolization in the real world: Hitler

4. How did Pilkington and Frederick react to their own animals singing “Beasts of England?”

Frightened and anxious; wanted to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it.

Later were in rage, “and secretly trembled, hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom.”

5. Where did Snowball learn his battle techniques?

Julius Ceaser campaign book

6. What makes Boxer seem particularly humane and lovable?

He feels bad that he killed the young man. That wasn’t his intention

7. What does Snowball tell Boxer that shows him to be ruthless?

“War is war. The only good human is a dead one.”

8. Where was Mollie during the battle?

She hid in her stall

9. What name was given to the battle in which Jones and his friends tried to retake Animal Farm?

Battle of the Cowshed

10. Name two human traits (traditions) that the animals use to celebrate their victory:

Awarded fighters

Commemorated the event on the 12th of October every year by shooting the gun, raising the

flag

Chapter 51. If Mollie were a person, what would she be like? Who do you think she connects to in the Russian

Revolution time?

Selfish, vain, conceited --- wealthy people in Russia

2. Describe Snowball’s leadership qualities. (What are his attributes?)

Great public speaker

3. Describe Napoleon’s leadership qualities. (How does he persuade others to follow him?)

Spoke to the animals in smaller groups between the large debates

4. What idea did Snowball have to improve conditions on the farm?

Windmill to produce electricity

5. The animals divided into two factions. What slogans did they come up with?

For the windmill: “Vote for Snowball and the three day week!”

Against the windmill: “Vote for Napoleon and the full manger!”

6. At the meeting about the windmill, Snowball begins to win over the animals. What does Napoleon do

about this? What event does this correlate to in history?

Napoleon has his dogs chase Snowball off the farm. Stalin had the KGB seek out Trotsky in Mexico

where he was hiding and violently kill him.

7. Look again at the Seven Commandments. Which one(s) seem(s) to be no longer in effect?

All animals are equal.

8. Name one change that is made after Snowball is kicked out. Who is it that convinces the animals that

Napoleon was actually helping them? (Who do you think they represent?)

No longer would there be debates or votes—just a special committee of pigs

9. What phrase always stopped any arguments from the animals?

Do you want Mr. Jones back?!

10. What does Squealer explain about the windmill to the animals and why do you think they accept his

explanation?

Napoleon was really in favor of it all along.

Chapter 61. What is ironic about the animals working on the windmill on Sundays?

The animals never worked on Sunday when Mr. Jones was in charge.

2. Why was the windmill so hard to build?

The stones were too big—had to break them. Heavy, hard to carry.

3. Without whom would the windmill have been impossible?

Boxer--- impossible strength, get up an hour early.

4. What did Napoleon tell the hens about giving up their eggs?

They should welcome this sacrifice “as their own special contribution towards the building of the

windmill”

5. How is Snowball used as a scapegoat? What was really at fault?

- Snowball as a scapegoat: He ruined the windmill

- Really at fault: the wind from the storm

a. What commandment(s) is/are changed from its/their original form and how?

No animal may sleep in a bed with sheets. The pigs are also trading with humans and living

in the farm house

Chapter 7 1. What was one of the strongest motivations for completing the rebuilding of the windmill?

The humans thought they couldn’t do it, so the animals wanted to prove them wrong.

“Snowball” had come and ruined their windmill! (really, it was a strong storm)

2. How is Mr. Whymper used to promote the “success” of Animal Farm?

Tricked him. Showed him full food bins that were actually almost all sand. Then he would spread

the news in town.

3. Why did it finally become necessary for the hens to surrender their eggs?

They needed money for grain and food.

4. What did the hens do to rebel against this?

Dropped their eggs from the rafters. Then went on a hunger strike before giving in.

5. What else is “revealed” about Snowball? How does Squealer deal with any animal that questions this

new information?

He was on Jones’ side from the very beginning—he was working against them in the battle of the

cowshed. He explains the situation in such detail, they believe him. Suggests there are traitors

among them!

6. What do the confessions and executions of the pigs, hens, goose, and sheep symbolize? Which of the

Seven Commandments does this violate?

Stalin’s ruthlessness to kill random people and those who are against him.

No animal shall kill another animal.

7. What does Boxer think was the cause of the frightening slaughter of fellow animals? What is his

solution?

Some problem within themselves. He must work harder every day.

8. When the animals begin to sing “Beast of England,” what are they told? When some thought to protest,

what happened?

They were told it had been abolished by Napoleon. NO longer needed because the revolution had

been accomplished. Before they could protest, the sheep started bleating their usual chant.

Chapter 81. What commandment is changed and how?

No animal shall kill another animal without cause.

2. What purpose is served by the production figures Squealer reads to the animals? Do you think they are

accurate? Why or why not?

To show them how successful their harvest was. NO way—they have food shortages and the animals

cant remember either way.

3. How is Napoleon becoming more like a typical dictator?

Doesn’t interact with the common people/animals. People attribute every good thing to him. His picture

is up in the barn and a poem saluting him.

4. Compare the new poem “Comrade Napoleon” to the words of “Beasts of England.” What are the

similarities? Differences?

- Similarities:

- Differences:

5. Describe the sale of lumber. How does Napoleon’s plan backfire on himself? What does this correlate

to in history? Frederick paid Napoleon with a fake check. Hitler violated his non-aggression pact

he had signed with Russia.

6. What makes the battle against Frederick’s men different from the Battle of the Cowshed? What does this

correlate to in history? The animals didn’t gain anything; they lost many lives and had to use much

violence to win. This represents the beginning of WWII. Russia lost over 11 million lives trying to

protect its oil fields and land.

7. Why do the men blow up the windmill?

8. The animals celebrate victory, but at what cost?

Multiple animals die and almost all of them are wounded in some way. The windmill was blown up after

2 years of work.

9. Describe the whiskey incident. (What did they think was going to happen to Napoleon? What solemn

decree was made? After Napoleon’s recovery, what did they do with the small paddock? How had the

correlating commandment been changed?)

They thought Napoleon was dying due to his hangover. He decreed anyone who drank

alcohol would die. But once he recovered, they ploughed the small paddock to plant barley to

make beer. They changed the commandment “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “No animal shall

drink alcohol to excess.”

Chapter 91. Why are the animals so easily fooled, even when they find Squealer with a ladder and white paint beside

the barn at night? Compare this with the Russian Revolution.

They want to believe in their leadership. They’re too stupid to realize he’s changing the commandments.

2. What species of animal is increasing?

Pigs!

3. Why are only the young pigs being educated, and why are they discouraged from playing with the other

young animals?

The pigs are being educated so they can continue to be the leaders. They aren’t supposed to play with the

other animals because they’re “better than them.”

4. Why does Napoleon allow Moses to return and tell his stories of Sugarcandy Mountain? What does this

represent in history?

To give the other animals hope; Stalin allowed.

5. How was the “president” of the new Republic elected?

Only Napoleon ran for the presidency… so he was “unanimously” elected.

6. What happens to Boxer? Why is this so tragic?

His lung collapses as he’s trying to move stone. He was only 1 month from retirement.

7. How did the pigs use Boxer’s death to get the animals to work harder?

Claimed that Boxer’s last words on his death bed were to see the windmill completed and “Napoleon is

always right”

Chapter 101. What changes have the years brought to the farm?

2. How do the animals now feel about the social order? The farm?

3. All Seven Commandments are erased. What is the new commandment and how has it been true from

the beginning?

4. At the conference with the neighboring farmers, what new changes does Napoleon point out?

5. What causes an argument between Napoleon and Pilkington? What do you think this represents in the

real world?

6. What happens to the pigs’ appearance? What does this symbolize?