Figueroa Animal Farm Study Questions

What is the meaning behind Benjamin's idea that "things never had been, nor ever could be much better or much worse" (Orwell 143)?

Benjamin seems to be making a cynical statement about life in general. Only Benjamin remembers what things were like before, and only he seems to understand the changes that have taken place. Rather than trying to explain this to the animals and possible rising up against Napoleon, Benjamin just seems resigned to a fate of hardship and disappointment. He seems to think that it does not matter who is in charge, or what the animals do to try to make their lives better—the outcome will always be the same.

When Old Major uses the word comrades, what is the purpose of this?

Comrade = friend + fellow Communist/Socialist - he uses this word to unite the animals

Which quote is an instance of exaggeration or overstatement that Orwell uses to make fun of people in the Russian Rebellion?

"But they woke at dawn as usual, and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened, they all raced out into the pasture together. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. Yes, it was theirs-everything that they could see was theirs! In the ecstasy of that thought they gambolled round and round, they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass, and they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent." (Chapter 2)

What is Boxer's solution to every problem?

"I will work harder"

How do the rumors about Snowball and Frederick change after Napoleon agrees to sell timber to Frederick?

"Napoleon assured the animals that the stories of an impending attack on Animal Farm were complete untrue, and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated. All these rumours had probably originated with Snowball and his agents" (Orwell 108).

Which of the following is an example of dramatic irony from the reading assignment?

"Out of spite, the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyed the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. The animals knew that this was not the case. Still, it had been decided to build the walls three feet thick this time instead of eighteen inches as before, which meant collecting much larger quantities of stone."

What is the difference between dramatic irony and situational irony?

Dramatic irony is specific to literary works or drama, and it requires a knowing audience to work. Situational irony can happen in everyday life when the opposite of what is expected occurs.

Who is Clover?

A good-hearted cart horse and Boxer's close friend

Mr. Pilkington offers a bon mot: "If you have your lower animals to contend with...we have our lower classes!" What does this statement mean?

He is recognizing that the pigs view the "lower animals" the same way Mr. Pilkington and the other farmers view the lower classes of humans. The pigs and the farmers both believe that lower classes of people or animals should be worked more and given less so that the farms can prosper and so that the pigs and farmers can be wealthy.

What does Squealer do to calm the animals' reaction to trading and selling?

He makes his rounds on the farm, stating that there was never a law made about trading or using money; then he asks the animals if they have proof that it is against the laws to trade. Since only the pigs can write, written proof does not exist, so the animals are satisfied with his answer (Orwell 73). This is another example of how Napoleon controls information: nothing is ever written down. The things that are written down, the commandments, are revised by the pigs in secret, and the animals are too foolish and naïve to realize it. Squealer helps them get over their sense of unease by assuring them that the commandments have not really changed.`

How does Napoleon get the animals to work "strictly volunteer" hours on Sundays?

He states that those who do not work will receive half rations (they're already working 60 hours per week)

Why would Orwell NOT make a good politician?

He told people what they did not want to hear

What scene is described in the last two paragraphs of the novel?

A violent quarrel breaks out between Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington because they each played an ace of spades. This shows that at least one of them is trying to cheat, since there is not more than one ace of spades in a deck. One of them (if not both) had a card up his sleeve. The animals run back to see the fighting and cannot tell pig from human.

Why is the hens' rebellion significant?

It is an allegorical reference to the rebellion Stalin faced from wealthy peasant farmers, and it shows how Napoleon is starting to take the same powers Jones had.

In what way is "Comrade Napoleon" propaganda?

It lies about Napoleon.

When you compare the repetition of words in each song, what does it tell you about the differences between the two?

It shows that "Comrade Napoleon" is about one animal—Napoleon—while "Beasts of England" is inclusive of all animals.

Who are Blubell, Jessica and Pincher?

Mr. Jones' three dogs--Jessie and Bluebell's puppies are taken by Napoleon and raised to be his guard dogs

What is foolish about the Republic election?

Napoleon is the only candidate up for election. It's not a good or fair election if there's only one candidate to choose (Orwell 127).

What kind of propaganda is Napoleon using when he blames Snowball for the windmill being broken?

Napoleon is using a combination of transfer and scapegoating. He is transferring negative qualities to Snowball to further discredit him. He is also using Snowball as a scapegoat, someone he can blame as a way to deflect criticism from his own shortcomings in this situation.

What new arrangement does Napoleon have with Whymper?

Napoleon uses Whymper to act as an intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world. Napoleon gives him instructions on Mondays.

How do you think the arrangement with Whymper will help Napoleon with his propaganda?

Napoleon will control the flow of information by limiting the animals' contact with Mr. Whymper: "There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings, which would clearly be most undesirable." Napoleon lets the animals believe this arrangement is a burden for him, that he is doing it for their own protection.

How is the Sixth Commandment changed?

No animals shall kill any other animal without cause (Orwell 100)

Who dies at the beginning of Chapter 2?

Old Major

The pigs spend their days writing on large sheets of paper, and then they burn that paper in the fire. What does this description tell you about Orwell's attitude toward the work the pigs do?

Orwell is making fun of inefficient government here. He describes an exaggerated version of the paperwork and management that goes into running a government administration in order to point out what it is like at its worst. The audience knows the foolishness of spending large amounts of time doing paperwork, only to burn it all, but the animals don't seem to understand how silly this is. This passage contributes to the satire with exaggeration and dramatic irony. (Orwell 142).

How is the word readjustment used as propaganda?

Rather than calling the smaller rations of food "reductions," Squealer calls them "readjustments." Changing the words in this way glosses over the hard reality of the situation. (Orwell 122)

How do the sheep play a role in spreading propaganda?

Remember, the sheep are symbolic of those who repeat things without thinking and follow orders without question. They are told to talk about how rations are increased while Mr. Whymper is close by. They help spread lies about conditions on the farm to the outside world. Napoleon controls the information that Mr. Whymper gets by using the sheep and other methods.

The pigs Napoleon and Snowball represent which two men in history?

Snowball represents Trotsky and Napoleon represents Stalin.

Summarize the main idea of Old Major's Song "Beasts of England."

Talks about how man will be overthrown and how the animals will work to gain their freedom

Chapter 2 of Animal Farm is an allegory of what historical event?

The Russian Revolution of 1917

Why did Orwell have difficulty finding a publisher for his novel?

The Soviet Union was popular because the Red Army (Soviet Army) and Nazis were at a standstill, making it look like the Red Army might beat the Nazis.

What is the irony of the Sunday hours, and how does this make the story satirical?

The animals are asked to volunteer, but it is forced work because they have their rations cut if they do not work. This is a kind of verbal irony because the work is described as "strictly voluntary," and yet Napoleon makes it clear that animals can expect to have their rations cut if they do not volunteer. Napoleon says the hours are voluntary, when really he means the opposite. This use of irony points out the foolishness of the animals in accepting the description of voluntary hours when they are anything but that. Pointing out this foolish behavior serves as a warning to others to not fall for such tricks, thus helping make the story satirical.

What is ironic about the problem of not being able to use tools to break the stones, and how does this help make the story satirical?

The animals are unable to break the stones using the typical tools of humans because they cannot walk on two legs, and walking on two legs has been declared a mark of evil (since humans do it). The animals rose up against the humans to do less work, and yet the propaganda of the pigs ("two legs bad") has left them unable to use the tools that would make the work easier. (This is a kind of situational irony, since the opposite of what was expected has occurred.) In the end, they wind up working more to break stones than they would have under humans because they cannot utilize human characteristics and tools. This problem helps to satirize the story by pointing out the foolishness of the animals.

Which of the following is an example of reversal that Orwell used in his satire?

The animals reverse the hierarchy so that animals are now in charge of the farm

There is a scene at the end of this chapter involving Squealer and a can of paint. How does this scene prove that the animals are not thinking for themselves?

The animals see "where the Seven Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a paintbrush, an overturned pot of white paint." This is clear evidence that Squealer has been changing the Seven Commandments. THIS IS DRAMATIC IRONY - the audience gets it but the characters don't!

Who is Boxer?

The cart-horse whose incredible strength, dedication, and loyalty play a key role in the book. Quick to help but slow witted

The "official story" is that nine hens die from coccidiosis, which is a disease caused by parasites. What do you think is the "real" parasite that killed the hens?

The hens die from starvation

The narrator discusses how the humans foreshadow specific events that may happen on the farm. What specific events do the humans believe will happen?

The humans believe the farm will go bankrupt and the windmill will be a failure.

Who is Benjamin?

The long-lived donkey who refuses to feel inspired by the Rebellion. He believes life will be unpleasant no matter who is in charge

Who is Mr. Jones?

The often drunk farmer who runs the Manor Farm before the animals stage their Rebellion and establish Animal Farm.

Many of the animals do not remember the revolutionary acts that helped create Animal Farm. What lesson do you think Orwell is trying to show?

The passage of time and the use of propaganda have eroded the memories of the animals. They are old, or dead, and there are new animals who have been born or brought to the farm. Now "the Rebellion was only a dim tradition."

Summarize the new poem which is inscribed on the wall of the barn.

The poem idolizes and elevates "Comrade Napoleon"; it describes how Napoleon watches over all and provides leadership, protection, and food for all the animals (Orwell 104).

Why does the song "Beasts of England" have no more use, according to Squealer?

The song expresses longing for a better society, but Squealer says that this better society has been achieved and the song is no longer needed. The reality is that the song conjures up ideas of a happy and plentiful world that contradicts the one that the animals are living in. Squealer, as the representative of propaganda, is controlling ideas here by suppressing the ideas in the song, making it harder for the animals to object to current conditions.

Who is Mollie?

The vain, foolish mare who pulls Mr. Jones' carriage. She wants human's attention.

Who is Muriel?

The white goat who reads the Seven Commandments to Clover whenever Clover suspects the pigs of violating their prohibitions.

How are the young pigs treated?

They "were given their instruction by Napoleon himself in the farmhouse kitchen. They took their exercise in the garden, and were discouraged from playing with the other young animals" (Orwell 124).

What happens to the Seven Commandments?

They are replaced with a single Commandment: "ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL" "BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS" (Orwell 148).

How does Snowball revise the Seven Commandments for the benefit of the animals that are slow to learn?

They are shortened to, "Four legs good, two legs bad."

What do the four pigs confess to and what happens to them after they confess?

They confess that they have been secretly in touch with Snowball and had helped him destroy the windmill (Orwell 94). This is a coerced, false confession, since Snowball did not destroy the windmill. The dogs tear out their throats (Orwell 94).

How do the hens revolt against the news that they must lay 400 eggs per week? What is this an allegory for?

They fly up to the rafters and lay their eggs, which then fall to the floor and smash (Orwell 86). The hen revolt is an allegory for when the peasants revolted against Stalin. Stalin had created collective farms, so the peasants reacted by killing their livestock.

When the animals peer into the farmhouse, what do they see?

They see half a dozen farmers and half a dozen pigs meeting together, playing cards, and drinking. Napoleon is at the head of the table (Orwell 150).

What change happens to the pigs at the end of the chapter? What lesson do you think Orwell trying to teach us here?

They start to look exactly like the men. He is trying to show that power corrupts.

Why did the animals revolt?

They were not fed for 2 days

How is the battle with Frederick different from the Battle of the Cowshed?

This battle is much more violent. "It was a savage, bitter battle." "A cow, three sheep, and two geese were killed, and nearly everyone was wounded." (Orwell 114).

What form of propaganda technique is at work in the following statement: "Curiously enough, they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal"?

This is evidence that the repetition of lies is at work. The lie is that every bad thing that happens is attributable to Snowball, and the propaganda has been effective enough that, even when the key is found to have been mislaid under a sack of meal, the animals persist in believing that Snowball threw it down the well.

The hens have habit of saying things such as "Under the guidance of our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, I have laid five eggs in six days." What type of propaganda is this? (Orwell 103).

This type of propaganda is another example of transfer, because everything good that happens is attributed to Napoleon. The hens would lay the same amount of eggs with or without Napoleon's leadership.

What is the difference between verbal irony and dramatic irony?

Verbal irony occurs when a character says the opposite of what he or she means, while dramatic irony involves the audience knowing something that the characters do not.

Why did the animals feel Squealer was so persuasive?

When Squealer is arguing a point, he skips from side to side and moves his tail

Which of the following is describes an example of situational irony from the reading assignment?

When the animals must break stones in the quarry, they find that they cannot use the tools the humans used because they cannot walk on two legs. The pigs promised that the animals would work less because they would no longer be working for greedy humans, and yet the opposite happens.

What's a brood?

a family of young animals, especially of a bird, produced at one hatch or birth

What is the definition for bon mot?

a witty remark

Describe the logical fallacy used: "Comrades!" he cried. "You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health."

appeal to pity

The meter of the song "Comrade Napoleon" indicates that it should be sung in what way?

as a waltz

Orwell attended a prestigious boys boarding school called Eton as a scholarship student. Why was he miserable?

because of the money gap that divided him from the other boys

Orwell uses the characteristics of animals as a way to create __________ of people involved in the Russian Revolution.

caricatures

What are tyrannies?

cruel and oppressive government or rule

What does the word "apparatchiks" mean?

devoted members of the communist party

Identify the logical fallacy in Squealer's propaganda: "Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proven by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig." (Orwell 40).

empty appeal to authority

Decide what type of propaganda Squealer uses in this quote: "Do you know what would happen if the pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back!" (Orwell 40)

fear

What is the theme of "Beasts of England"?

having freedom

Who does Old Major name as the real enemy?

humans/man

Why is Animal Farm considered an allegory?

it has a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning

Describe Old Major.

prize-winning boar whose version of socialist utopia serves as the inspiration for the Rebellion

In the late 1940s, the wave of dystopian literature focused on a fear of ______________ in then power of totalitarians.

technology

What does the workhorse Boxer represent?

the Soviet people and those who blindly served

Animal Farm wasn't published until...

the end of World War II

Why is Animal Farm considered a fable?

the story has a moral and the animal character have human characteristics.

How does Napoleon stop the hens' revolt?

their rations are stopped

Even though the Russian Revolution is over, why should people read Animal Farm?

to understand that political terror will always occurr