Animal Farm - George Orwell Flashcards
What was the status of Snowball and Napoleon? How did the status of each change?
Snowball and Napoleon were the leaders of the animals against their master, Mr Jones. During the course of the novel, Snowball is expelled, and Napoleon takes over as sovereign leader of the animals.
How had the pigs learnt to read? Why had they done it, do you think?
The pigs learned to read from an old spelling-book which had belonged to Mr.Jones’s children. I think they did it to show their status over the other pigs.
Why did Snowball need black and white paint? Why did he do the painting job? How did he do it?
Snowball needed the black and white paint so that he could paint the new name of the farm as Animal Farm. He did it by balancing on a ladder. He also used to paint to write the 7 commandments in white paint on the wall.
What was the significance of the Seven Commandments that the pigs worked out?
The Seven Commandments were significant because they were so against humans, and were very strict about making sure that the pigs are not similar to humans in any way other than intelligence.
What was it that startled the animals, and why was it so frightening?
The neighing of Clover the horse scared them because she neighed twice, to see Squealer the pig, disobey the last commandment left, which was altered to fit.
What is Clover’s excuse for asking Benjamin to read out the Commandments to her? Is what she says true?
Clover’s excuse for asking Benjamin to read out the Commandments is that she is so old that her sight is failing, and cannot read it. She asks him is the Seven Commandments are the same as they used to be, to which Benjamin replied with the single commandment “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” There may be some truth to what she is saying, but ultimately Clover is trying to bring light to how things have changed, and shock people back into their right minds.
How were the sheep used by the pigs?
Sheep are dumb followers who do everything Napoleon says, he uses them to undermine the rest of the population at the farm, to help convince them that he is right.
What is an allegory?
A narrative in either verse or prose, in which characters, action and sometimes setting represent abstract concepts apart from the literal sense of the story. This underlying meaning may have moral, social, religious and political significance.
Who was Napoleon?
Napoleon was a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire Boar, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of a talker but with a reputation for getting his way.
Who was Snowball?
Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more incentive, but was not considered to babe the same depth of character.
Who was Squealer?
Squealer is the pig who spreads Napoleon’s propaganda among the other animals. Squealer justifies the pigs’ monopolization of resources and spreads false statistics pointing to the farm’s success. Orwell uses Squealer to explore the ways in which those in power often use rhetoric and language to twist the truth and fain and maintain social and political control.
Chapter 1 - Examine the song “Beasts of England” as poetry. What imagery is present? What is the message? Why do the animals like it so much that they memorize it on the spot? How does this song reflect revolutionary songs in general?
In Chapter 1, Old Major shares the song “Beasts of England”, in this song, the animals are personified. It is a stirring tune, and glorifies rebellion against the animal’s captor and freedom. The song urges the animals to toil for freedom’s sake, even if they die, it would be for a good cause. The song uses similes, hyperbole, personification and repetition along with anecdotes of freedom, to persuade the animals to rebel.
Chapter 2 - Compare and contrast the behaviour of Napoleon, Snowball, Squealer and the other pigs.
Napoleon was a fierce boar who was known for not being much of a talker but with a reputation of getting his own way. Snowball was quicker in speech and more inventive, but not with the same depth of character. Squealer was a brilliant and persuasive speaker. The other pigs weren’t as smart and looked at these pigs for inspiration.
Chapter 3 - How do you interpret their behaviour in relation to the events which occur after the Russian Revolution? See extract from handout titled Animal Farm (A Very Precise Allegory).
In relevance to the handout, you can relate Mr. Jones to Tsar Nicholas, because he was overthrown. Old Major was modeled after Lenin, because he was the original leader of the party that seized control, and was responsible for the transferring of Manor Farm into Animal Farm, as Lenin was responsible of Russia being transferred into the U.S.S.R. Snowball resembles Trotsky, the brains behind the operation, and also the leader of the army, like Trotsky, and both were expelled. Napoleon is made to be Stalin, sneaky and manipulative. There are many precursors to this idea, the Five Year Plan is the windmill, the Order of the Green Banner is the Order of Lenin, and the Tehran Conference is portrayed when Napoleon and Pilkington flatter each other, and then cheat each other. Furthermore, Adolf Hitler is represented as Frederick, the owner of the neighbouring farm, acts as an ally, but actually has hidden motives.
Chapter 3 - Explain the comment by Benjamin that ‘Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey’ In relation to your understanding of the Russian Revolution, who do you think Benjamin represents?
Benjamin represents the aged population of Russia, just as intelligent as any of the pigs, but quite indifferent and calm. The quote represents that in the long run, events such as revolutions, make no impact, life will be bad no matter what happens, and therefore there is no need to stress.
