Animal Farm Study Guide Q and A

What is Napoleon's attitude toward educating the animals?

Napolean "said that the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up" (34-35).

How and why does Napoleon emerge as a character who seems destined to become a leader?

Napolean seems destined to become leader because the books describes him as having "a reputation for getting his own way" (16). In other words, he'll probably take power by force.

What are Snowball's ideas for defending Animal Farm against possible human attacks? What are Napolean's ideas?

Snowball's idea was to stir up rebellion to the point that there would be no need to defend themselves. Napolean's idea was to take firearms and have the animals train with them.

Why are the pigs the only animals that have the capacity to write the Seven Commandments on the wall of the barn immediately following the expulsion of Mr. Jones?

The pigs were able to write because "they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book" (23).

How do the events on Animal Farm affect the animals on other farms?

The rumors of Animal Farm circulated throughout the countryside, causing "aware[ness] of the rebellion" (39) to run through the countryside. Animals fought and rebelled against the humans.

Why does Major's song "Beast of England" become an instant success with the other animals?

The song becomes an instant hit due to multiple factors: 1) The song rhymes and has a catchy tune, creating a natural rhythm that comes with singing the song 2) The song describes all the hardships and difficulties that most, if not all, animals can relate to, promoting unity. a) This effect creates a sort of rallying cry effect, which causes the song to be extremely catchy. One example of a rallying cry song is the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Why do the animals not want Mollie to display her ribbons?

They do not want Mollie to display her ribbons because "'those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery'" (17). They represent Mr. Jones/humanity.

How and why is the sentence "The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious" an example of Orwell's use of irony?

This sentence was all too obvious for the animals, but complete and utter bulls*** for the readers.

What is significant about Orwell's syntax in the sentence about the missing milk: "when [the animals] came back in the evening it was noticed the milk had disappeared."

Because of the syntax, Orwell effectively communicates that the milk was stolen, but not by any of the animals that had worked. This eliminates the suspects down to a certain group of animals: the cat, Mollie, dogs, or pigs. It is obviously Napolean, though, because he literally places himself in front of the buckets and tells the rest of the animals to go f*** themselves.

In the growing dispute between Snowball and Napoleon, how does Snowball hope to gain the trust and support of the other animals? What is Napoleon's tactic?

Snowball uses potential innovations and ideas. An example of one of these new ideas includes a windmill, to power everything. All of these new inventions essentially have the idea of reducing the amount of labor required. Napolean's campaign was stating that increased food production was necessary and that the windmill would make them starve to death.

Why does Snowball so fervently advocate the building of the windmill?

Snowball wants to build the windmill to get electricity (gateway to other technologies), reduce labor to 3 days a week, and inrease productivity/effeciency.

Why is Snowball's explanation that "the only good human being is a dead one" dangerous with regard to the spirit of the Seven Commandments?

Snowball's explanation essentially states that animals should kill humans when given the chance. By doing an action such as murder, animals would become more like humans (i.e. similar to humans killing animals).

Why is Squealer successful in explaining to the other animals that the pigs alone deserve the milk? How is he able to silence any doubters?

The main, recurring theme in his arguments/explanations that silences any doubters is the threat of the return of Jones.

What information does the narrator reveal in chapter 2 that helps justify the Rebellion?

The narrator reveals that Jones had taken up drinking a lot due to a lawsuit. As a result, "his men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the building wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed" (19).

Every time the animals notice that the pigs are "adjusting" the rules agreed upon after the Rebellion, their thoughts are distracted by the chanting of "four legs good, two legs bad" by the sheep. Why are the sheep so eager to say their slogan? To what extent are the sheep aware of the effect they have on other animals and on life on Animal Farm by repeating the slogan again and again?

The sheep are always eager to chant in order to, essentially, break the thoughts of any potential rebellions. By chanting the slogan just when the time is right (e.g. potential conflict, protests, etc.), the sheep are demonstrating that they are well aware of the effect they have. Additionally, saying "Two legs bad! Four legs good!" pulls the attention from rebelling to agreement. The sheep pretty much scapegoat the humans.

Why do the animals change the fourth commandment from "No animal shall sleep in a bed" to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets"?

There really is no practical reasoning behind such a change. To put it simply, the pigs exploited the lack of intelligence in other animals in order to further their own luxuries/comfort.

Why is the windmill destroyed? What is the pigs' explanation? Why is this explanation necessary?

There were violent winds that blew the windmill down. Napolean gives the explanation that Snowball snuck in and somehow destroyed it. Providing this explanation distracts the animals from the real issue at hand (destroyed windmill) and gives them something to blame.

What rumors do Mr. Frederick and Mr. Pilkington spread about Animal Farm?

They both spread rumors saying that "the whole things would be over in a fortnight" (78). They also said that there was perpetual fighting, starvation, cannibalism, torture, etc. This was apparently caused by the Rebellion.

After calling Snowball a traitor and claiming that he was in league with Mr. Jones from the beginning, the pigs have a difficult time convincing the other animals - particularly Boxer - of the validity of their sudden claims about Snowball's treacherous behavior at the Battle of the Cowshed. How are the pigs eventually able to convince Boxer, and what do they claim in order to ensure no further questions will be asked? Consider common propaganda techniques.

scare tactic

How does Snowball prepare for the attack by Jones and his men?

Snowball prepared by studying an old book of Julius Caesar's campaigns and utilized the military strategies which Caesar had used during his military campaigns.

How does the Battle of the Cowshed ultimately serve to inaugurate a series of rituals that help solidify the growing totalitarian state?

After the Battle of the Cowshed, Snowball gives a speech essentially stating that all animals need to be ready to DIE for Animal Farm. Additionally, the rituals of award medals and "artillery" firing were created, most likely, by the pigs. By practicing these rituals, the rest of the animals are conforming, through a logical link, subordination to the pigs.

Are all animals required to work the same hours and complete the same kind of work, or work that is equally difficult and exhausting?

All animals that did work, therefore excluding the pigs, completed work that was equally difficult and exhausting. "Everyone work to his [or her] capacity" (29). however, there was a sort of time period in which everyone, except a select few, worked.

What allegorical reference is embedded in the philosophy of Animalism?

Animalism is an allegorical reference to Marx's socialism. The book itself is an allegorical reference to Soviet Russia.

Why was it absolutely necessary for Napoleon to rid himself of Snowball?

As stated previously, Snowball and Napolean were always on opposite ends of the spectrum, with Snowball typically being more persuasive. Snowball was the only real threat to Napolean's reign of power. Additionally, not many of the other animals are intelligent enough to rebel.

What experience during the Battle of the Cowshed deeply affects Boxer, and how does Snowball attempt to help him?

At one point during the battle, Boxer kicks someone in the head, causing the person to lose consciousness. However, Boxer thought that the person had died (WHY IS BOXER SO NICE). Snowball attempts to cheer him up by saying, "'The only good human being is a dead one'" (43).

Why does Napoleon claim he must begin trading with the neighboring farms?

Napolean claims he must begin trading "not, of course, for any commercial purpose, but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary" (Orwell 65).

How successful is the animal's first harvest after the Rebellion?

"It was the biggest harvest that the farm had ever seen because "there was no wastage whatever... And not an animal on the farmhadd stolen as much as a mouthful" (28).

What differentiates the work the pigs complete during the hay harvest from the work the other animals complete?

"The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others" (27). To put it simply, the pigs did nothing physical, to say the least.

Why do the pigs immediately take over the role of the organizers and teachers after Major's death?

"The work of teaching and organizing the others fell naturally upon the pigs, who were generally recognized as being the cleverest of animals" (15).

Why does Orwell introduce the term "Comrade" in this first chapter? What two purposes does the introduction of this term service?

1) Old Major is supposed to represent Karl Marx. Marx supported socialism, where all people are EQUAL. Comrade means "companion," signifying equality. 2) "Comrade" is a close translation of what Bolsheviks used to call people sympathetic to the Russian Revolution. Orwell uses this word to further the similarities between Manor/Animal Farm and Soviet Russia.

How does Boxer illustrate his dedication to the work on the windmill, despite all challenges?

Boxer illustrates his dedication by always pushing the hardest, even if every other animal begun to falter. To quote the book, Boxer was always "toiling up the slope... his great sides matted with sweat" (Orwell 61). Additionally, he made an arrangement with a rooster to wake him up much earlier than everyone else.

What does Orwell establish with his decision to capitalize the word "Rebellion" through the text?

By capitalizing "Rebellion," Orwell places extra emphasis on the "Rebellion." By making it a proper noun, Orwell makes it similar to other proper noun rebellions (e.g. American, French, Russian Revolutions).

After Snowball's expulsion, Napoleon explains the changes he plans to implement on Animal Farm immediately. How do these changes reflect the principles of a totalitarian/authoritarian state?

By establishing a special committee of pigs with himself presiding over all of them, Napolean essentially has a puppet council, and an elite few rule. No more debates means there's no way to contradict Napolean. Additionally, by establishing the rules without giving the other animals any say and forcing them to follow them, Napolean establishes himself as the singular, dictator-like power.

Mollie's disappearance not only indicates her desire to receive special treatment at the hands of human beings, but also functions as a reminder of the dangers of forced obedience and the requirement of conformity. Explain how her disappearance forms part of Orwell's criticism of the emerging totalitarian structure of Animal Farm.

Mollie's disappearance means that you cannot force everybody to do a certain thing. Additionally, the requirement of conformity essentially turned all of Animal Farm against her, ending up driving her out of the place entirely. In other words, the few that do speak out against the totalitarian structure are silenced, whether through expellment or murder, due to a lack of "conformity."

In the last sentence of Chapter II, the narrator explains that "when [the animals] came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared." This sentence is an example of what literary or narrative technique?

Foreshadowing is displayed in this quote. Orwell draws special attention to the disappearance of the milk to imply its importance in the story later.

According to Moses, Sugarcandy Mountain is a place where it is "Sunday seven days a week." What kind of place or idea does the concept of Sugarcandy Mountain describe?

Heaven is what Sugarcandy Mountain describes. Sugarcandy Mountain is where "all animals went when they died... [and] situated somewhere up in the sky, a little distance beyond the clouds" (17). This description is remarkably similar to how some people would describe Heaven.

How does the attitude of the human beings toward Animal Farm change once Napolean enters in to trade with neighboring farms?

Humans "had developed a certain respect... for the ... animals" and "begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name" (Orwell 65). The humans recognize Animal Farm as an independent entity (like Britain referring to the US as a country).

How can you explain that no animal comes to Snowball's defense after Napoleon calls on his vicious attack dogs and chases Snowball out of the barn? Keep in mind that the animals are clearly in the majority compared to Napoleon's gang.

I believe that the fear factor of potential death/harm from the dogs scares the other animals from helping Snowball. Additionally, such a dramatic and sudden turn of events would have caught many animals off guard.

Why does Major ask the animals to congregate in the barn after Mr. Jones has gone to sleep?

Major asks them to congregate because he "had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals" (1). Additionally, Mr. Jones would be less likely to interrupt the meeting if it were held in the barn.

What is Major's most significant warning/commandment?

Major's most significant warning/commandment is that "'we must not come to resemble [Man]... All the habits of Man are evil'" (11).

In addition to the pigs, which other animal does not actually seem to complete any substantial physical labor and why?

Mollie "was not good at getting up in the mornings, and had a way of leaving work early on the ground that there was a stone in her hoof." The cat also slacked off. "It was soon noticed that when there was work to be done, the cat could never be found. she would vanish... then reappear at mealtimes, or in the evening after work was over." However, "she always made such excellent excuses, and purred so affectionately, that it was impossible not to believe her good intentions" (30).

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Squealer describes Napolean's suddenly changing attitude toward the windmill as "tactics." What does he mean by that? What might be a more accurate and truthful description of Napolean's tactics?

Squealer essentially means that Napolean used cunning and really didn't oppose the windmill idea. A more accurate description of Napolean's tactics would be stealing ideas and using violence, propoganda, and manipulation in order to control people.

How does Squealer justify the pigs' use of the farmhouse?

Squealer justifies the use of the farmhouse by saying that the use of the farm is vital to the brainwork of the pigs. The farm prevents the pigs from being too tired to carry out their duties, supposedly.

How does Squealer explain to the other animals that the pigs have been secretly taking all the milk for themselves?

Squealer says that "'Many of us [pigs] dislike milk... Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health... The whole management of the farm depends on us [pigs]... Jones would come back!'" (35-36). He essentially states that milk helps run the farm and threatens the other animals with the coming back of Jones.

What is the main purpose of the Seven Commandments? What do they principally achieve to explain?

The Seven Commandments "form an unalterable lay by which all animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after" (24). They achieve to explain the philosophy of Animalism in 7 rules.

What effect is achieved through the use of simile in the opening lines of Chapter VI, "all that year the animals worked like slaves"? How does the simile help to underline Orwell's criticism?

The description of the animals as equivalent to slaves is an allusion to what the Soviet Union did in order to "modernize" the Russian economy by building factories, etc. Additionally, a majority of these factories were to be built up North because of the resources there (it was winter during that time in Animal Farm, therefore it was cold). The workers there were no more than slaves, whether voluntary or forced.

What allegorical significance does the fact that Napolean and Snowball disagree during the animals' meetings carry?

The disagreements between Napolean and Snowball are an allegorical reference to the struggle for power between Stalin and Trotsky after Lenin had died. Stalin is represented by Napolean and Trotsky by Snowball. As in history, Snowball was chased away from the farm/nation by Napolean, who used violence.

According to Major, what is the source of the animals' "misery and slavery"?

To quote Major, "'The life of an animal is misery and slavery... Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labor is stolen from us by human beings. It is summed in a single word - Man... Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever'" (7).

According to Major, how do most animals on Manor Farm die, and what does their manner of death indicate about Mr. Jones' attitude toward his animals' value?

To quote Major, "No animal escapes the cruel knife... To that horror we all must come - cows, pigs, hens, sheep, everyone. Even the horses and the dogs have no better fate'" (9). He essentially says that once an animal's utility/usefulness runs out, Mr. Jones immediately kills them without any regret.

Why is it so important for the animals to conceal their starvation from the human beings?

humans right