In the very beginning, Farmer Jones ruled all of the animals and believed he was the only superior leader. It was a Totalitarian Rule. He made all the decisions and did all the leading and had all the animals do the work. The animals did not speak up, and were told what to do and did not oppose.
After the rebellion, there came a Democracy. The pigs Napoleon and Snowball were leaders, and every animal worked the same and all got the same rations as everyone else, including the pigs. There was a Constitution of sorts, known as the 7 Commandments, that stated the things an animal could not do. This was ideal, but it did not last long.
After the Battle of the Cowshed, the farm became more of a Constitutional Monarchy or Social Democracy.The pigs were more powerful leaders, and some animals worked more or less than others, and received more or less food. The pigs lived a little better life than the other animals, and were set up to be the elite. The pigs had decided to make all the decisions about the farm. Although they had to be ratified by a majority vote. The 7 Commandments were kept the same as well.
After Snowball was kicked out by Napoleon and his dogs, Napoleon turned the farm into a Dictatorship. This is where one leader has total authority over everything.The animals worked like slaves. But they were okay with it as they knew (thought) that all they did benefited themselves. Napoleon did not work, and most pigs worked less and less. The animals were lied about, and told that some of their comrades were enemies all along. The commandments were ignored ( or altered) to fit the leader’s needs.
Near the end of Animal Farm, it had turned back into a Totalitarian Rule. In this, a single leader decides everything, and opposing ideas aren’t welcome. The pigs continued to feed total lies to the animals about their conditions and work. Boxer was worked to death, and his killing was lied about and kept secret from the animals. In the end, the pigs wear human clothes, eat human food, stand on their hind legs, read, write, and confer with other humans. The animals seem to be no better off than they were in Jone’s time.
This pig represents the Russian media, which spread Stalin's (Napoleon's) version of the truth to the masses. He was able to convince the animals of many things that most people with good judgement would see as wrong, just as the media has the great power of influence.
For me, Squealer represents the general population, who spreads and generates and fabricates sometimes utter lies to cover things up, to make things seem logical.
The hen's revolt
This signifies the Ukrainian peasants’ bitter resistance to collective farming, which is where the holdings of several farmers are run as a joint enterprise. The hens, like the peasants, did not want ll of their "profit" going to something that would not directly benefit them.
For me, the hens symbolize the early rebellers, who spotted something wrong and decided to stand up for it.
Windmill
The windmill is a symbol for Stalin's 'Five-Year plan'. Like the windmill was promised to make the animal's life easier, the 'Five-Year Plan' was supposed to improve industry by increasing production and allowing the soviets to shorten the work-week. And just like the windmill, Stalin's plan was a failure. After the destruction of the Windmill, the Animals decided to build another one and in real-life, Stalin kept promising that each new plan he made would solve all of their problems and bring the USSR closer to the more advanced industries of the west.
To me, the windmill represents hope in society. It showed how the society could work "together" on something, and make it happen.
Drinking of alcohol
This represents the effects of power on leaders. Drinking alcohol can change your judgement and make you have irrational decisions about important things. Having too much power can do this to you, too.
To me, this signifies some of the finer things that leaders could have, but not the working class.
Animal Farm
It resembled the Russian Revolution. What Orwell believes will happen to any society because of power hungry people. It was separated into the rich and poor.
To me, it resembles a cruise ship I went on. At first, every passenger is equal. But later on, they are seperated into a the high class people and the lower-class people.
Literacy Web
Key Words-
Battle of the Cowshed:
Apples:
Four legs good, two legs bad:
Napoleon&Snowball
We are all equal
propaganda
allegory
animalism
Feelings-My feelings as I read this chapter were: anticipation as to where the story id going, fear for the animals who were just following the leader, and a sense of knowing as the story unraveled. I could see where it was going to go.
Some of the smarter animals were feeling anxious, because the pig's promise was wearing off.
The simpler animals were still loyal to Napoleon and Snowball, no matter what bad things happened.
Boxer is depressed and confused because he almost killed a human.
Napoleon and Snowball are happy and determined to rule the farm.
Main Idea- I think the main idea is that what was promised by the pigs- equality and power to everyone- is beginning to be untrue. It shows how power can get to leaders' heads and make them feel more important than they really are..
Reading chapter 3&4
Images/Symbols- The flag is a pretty important symbol in this chapter, with the green background being England, and its similarity to the Communist flag. It represents unity with the animals.
Boxer represented the working class, who thought the solution to everything was to work harder.
Old major represents Carl Marx.
The dogs represent the military police.
Structure-
I think Orwell made this story a fable to convey the message a little easier. I would rather read an interesting story than some other boring form of literature that only people truly devoted to the topic would read. He made the unfavorable characters the evil ones in real life, and that makes it a Satire.
Animal Farm Questions Chap. 1&2 1. The animals talk and have opinions, read and write, sing and are organized. they didn't have control at first, and huddled in groups, and did they the work they were made to do.
2.The speech made the animals think they should be in charge. They got hyped up, and they realized they wanted to live a different life.
3.This reflects that the animals think each & every human horrible, and all animals are treated badly,
4.The animals always thought pigs were cleverest, as they were the only ones who could read and write and first.They were intimidating, and Old Major was well respected.
5.Snowball says that because freedom is more important than silly ribbons, and the humans put the ribbons in her hair.
6.The animals chased out the farmer, and the next day they cheered and got to work making the farm their own. Most animals were glad to be free of the farmer, but some liked the old ways better.
7. Four legs good, two legs bad.
8.Marxism sought equality in society, and Animalism stated the all animals were equal. And both didn't quite live up to their promises.
9. The farm has food, cooperating citizens, leaders, shelter, and no enemies.
Chap. 3&4
1.The animals are being taught to read and write, and the puppies in the hay loft are being educated by Napoleon. The animals work together (mostly) to get the job done. There is a form of government because pigs are in charge.
2. The flag is green with a white horn and hoof, the green symbolizing the green fields the animals would own after the animals took over, and the hoof and horn symbolizing the animals that would conquer. It is very similar to the U.S.S.R Communist flag, which is red with a yellow hammer and sickle on it.
3. Napoleon and Snowball are beginning to have different opinions, thus making the two fight for their own belief.
4.The simplification is a good propaganda technique because it makes things easier to understand, so the simpler beings with the easiest opinions to change can understand and start to believe it. It is also easy to remember, making the saying simple to spread around.
5. The pigs set themselves up to be the elite in that they thought they were cleverest, and they reinforced that belief, true or not, into all of the animals. They give themselves the best, because they say they are the best, and if they grow ill, Jones will come back.
6. Squealer is a very persuasive pig, winning every argument. This comes in handy when brainwashing, as it would make all the animals believe him and what he wants them to believe. They have propaganda to enforce.
7.The Battle of the Cowshed was different from the Rebellion since the humans were trying to take back the farm in the battle of the Cowshed, but in the Rebellion, it was the animals who took the farm. The humans were prepared in the Battle of the Cowshed, but not in the rebellion. there were guns in the Cowshed, but not in the Rebellion. A sheep died in the Cowshed, and Snowball was a fighter in this battle.
8. Boxer did not really take to the idea of killing humans, even for his freedom, even though he was awarded for it. He did not like killing. Snowball was proud & pleased, and thought it was the absolute right thing to do to kill and injure for freedom."The only good human being is a dead human being."
9. From what I know about the pigs so far, they like power. So a society where everyone holds power, with the pigs being leaders, is a bad idea, thus being ironic.
Chap 5&6
1.Mollie is rejected by the other animals since she favors the finer things more, and those things were made by humans.
2.Snowball was in favor of the windmill, and Napoleon was against it. Napoleon chaes Snowball out of the farm with his dogs, and then the windmill was going to be built beacause according to Squealer, Snowball stole the idea from Napoleon.
3.Under Jone's rule, the farm was totally ruled by Jones. Under napoleons rule, the leaders were animals, and at first, everyone had equal power. but now, napoleon is like Jones.
4.freedom ad Bravery used to be what would make the animals free of jone's rule, but now obedience and loyalty to Napoleon who is "always right') is what would make the animals free.
5.i would consider it poropaganda because it is not entirely true. No matter what explanation there is for napoleon taking over, it still isn't what he promised in the beginning.
6.Boxer's motto shapes his character in that it makes him think that if he works harder for his cause, it will turn out okay. But in reality, there is more you can do to help your cause.
7.Napoleon takes credit for this by saying that Snowball stole the windmill plans from Napoleon, and that he was against it only so Snowball could be chased out.
8.Napoleon took the commandment about sleeping in beds and changed it to sleeping in beds with sheets, and made the animals think it was that all along. He said that there never was a rule that animals couldn't trade, and took it off the list. They thought it was never there, and they were all mistaken.
9.As napoleon uses it, tactics is a way of using cunning and wit to get what you want. Or, make your plans work.
Chapter 7&8
1. Napoleon makes it seem like everything is fine by filling the bins up with dirt and adding food on top to make them seem full, and having the sheep remark about increased rations when Mr.Whymper came.
2.The hens revolt by laying eggs in the rafters so the break, but some starve because of no rations and all of the remaining hens retreat back to the coop and agree to lay eggs for Napoleon.
3.The memory of Snowball is used to keep the animals in line by having the animals be reminded of all his "wrongdoings", and blaming him for everything, like a scapegoat. The animals are discouraged to rebel because they do not want to be blamed.
4.The meaning of the slaughter of animals is to show how many "traitors" were hiding among the animals, and how anything breaking the rules would not go unpunished.
5.Clover starts singing Beasts of England because it seems to convey her thoughts about what would be right as well as she could, and it shows that Clover is not afraid to express her thoughts as much as other animals might be.
6.Napoleon abolishes the song because he says that Beasts of England was the song of the Rebellion. But the Rebellion is now completed. The execution of the traitors was the final act. The real reason is that he doesn't
want the animals to find the meaning of the song, which is to fight and rebel for what is right.
7. Napoleon is lying to the animals by changing up the commandments to fit his needs and telling the animals they were always the same, banning Beasts of England because the song was "no longer needed", when really it was because it told the animals to fight, and Napoleon blames SNowball on breaking the windmill, when it was really just a strong breeze.
8.The poem builds up Napoleon's image by showing al the good things about him, like his cleverness and bravery, and exaggerating them.
9.In the Rebellion and battle of the cowshed, there were far fewer guns. Also, the animals were more bitter and savage in the Windmill, as they had something to be bitter and savage about.
Chapter 9&10
1.Napoleon says the reason for the Spontaneous Demonstration is to show the animal's pride in their rebellions. But Napoleon really wants to embue the animals with a feeling of patriotism to make them want to sacrifice their all for the farm and think Napoleon is a sufficient leader.
2. Napoleon wanted to have Moses preach to the animals about Sugar Candy Mountain, so they knew they could work hard and have a a fantastic place to live out their days in the future.Napoleon is sinking low in doing this; it shows how he is afraid of a rebellion amongst the workers.
3.Boxer is admired by the farm animals because he is a hard worker, and any problem that comes along is always met with harder work from Boxer. The animals were told that Boxer was going to the veterinarian when he fell sick, but really he was going to the knacker. Squealer says that he wasn't really going to the knacker, that it was in fact the vet, but the vet had just acquired the van and had not painted it yet. Squealer told how Boxer died with such emotion, there was no way any of the animals could have thought otherwise.
4.The symbolism of the knacker is exile, and where people who could not be cared for went.
5. The two classes are the high leading class and the low, poor, working class. They formed when pigs started making themselves the superior animals, as well as the leading dogs. They working class got poorer and poorer as the high class got richer and richer.
Thought Questions
1.)The animals didn't run away because they had worked so hard for the farm. They didn't want to leave when the going got hard. They thought things were going to get better if they tried harder.
2.)The significance of the "Beasts Of England" is a metaphor for communism. It helped inspire the animals to rebel. It taught them of a different time, a better time, one where they would come together to create a closer community.
3.)Their resentment vanished because they were living their dreams, what they always wanted. They were working under themselves not for someone else. They no longer answered to the man, so it didn't matter that the animals worked harder and got less food.
4.)He is against the windmill because it wasn't his idea. He changed it because he wanted credit for it. With snowball gone he could build with his ego intact and the animals were inspired how he was trying to protect them from snowball.
5.)The dogs were ordered to attack because they were under Napoleons rule. They took the orders becuase they were trained to follow the masters word, in this case to attack snowball. No one stepped in because they were afraid of the dogs and of Napoleon.
6.)They were saying that Napoleon was the smartest and made the best decisions. That the animals made a decision it would go worng and the farm would failo. Once the farm failed Jones would come back and the animals didn't want that so they did what Napoleon said.
7.)When a leader has more access to information they shouldn't make all the decisions without impute from the group. They should tell other members what's going on so they to can make informed decisions. If the leader make a sole decision he could be choosing wrong and be corrupted , therefore ruining utopia so he should have advisers.
8.)They accomplished this be cleverness and lying. The changed the commandment without telling anyone then said it had always been like that. They siad that they deserved, they'd been working so hard as if the other animals hadn't, so they lied to get what they want and to the animals expense.
9.) None complained because they figured that the animals were so much smarter that they were doing it for the good of the animals. The pigs said that they were doing paperwork and it was so much harder than normal work and they needed more sleep.
10.)Napoleon "knew" that Snowball had destroyed the windmill because snowball had always been an "enemy". It was obvious because napoleon had chased snowball out and wanted revenge. So he took it by destroying the windmill, which is the animals greatest accomplishment.
11.) Their better because they think their there own master. They think there better off because the think they can do what the want. Their in a dictatorship when they think their in a democracy.
12.) Boxer works so hard because he can't not work. He is a very driven animals even if its for the wrong thing he still works as hard as he can.
13.)At first they thought they had a Utopia, they thought everyone was equal. Then the leaders got power hungry and changed things to fit their idea of good. The animals didn't wnat to rebel because they still thought all was good when everything was falling apart.
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Timeline
Animal Farm Allegory Table
For me, Squealer represents the general population, who spreads and generates and fabricates sometimes utter lies to cover things up, to make things seem logical.
Literacy Web
Battle of the Cowshed:
Apples:
Four legs good, two legs bad:
Napoleon&Snowball
We are all equal
propaganda
allegory
animalism
Some of the smarter animals were feeling anxious, because the pig's promise was wearing off.
The simpler animals were still loyal to Napoleon and Snowball, no matter what bad things happened.
Boxer is depressed and confused because he almost killed a human.
Napoleon and Snowball are happy and determined to rule the farm.
Boxer represented the working class, who thought the solution to everything was to work harder.
Old major represents Carl Marx.
The dogs represent the military police.
I think Orwell made this story a fable to convey the message a little easier. I would rather read an interesting story than some other boring form of literature that only people truly devoted to the topic would read. He made the unfavorable characters the evil ones in real life, and that makes it a Satire.
Animal Farm Questions
Chap. 1&2
1. The animals talk and have opinions, read and write, sing and are organized. they didn't have control at first, and huddled in groups, and did they the work they were made to do.
2.The speech made the animals think they should be in charge. They got hyped up, and they realized they wanted to live a different life.
3.This reflects that the animals think each & every human horrible, and all animals are treated badly,
4.The animals always thought pigs were cleverest, as they were the only ones who could read and write and first.They were intimidating, and Old Major was well respected.
5.Snowball says that because freedom is more important than silly ribbons, and the humans put the ribbons in her hair.
6.The animals chased out the farmer, and the next day they cheered and got to work making the farm their own. Most animals were glad to be free of the farmer, but some liked the old ways better.
7. Four legs good, two legs bad.
8.Marxism sought equality in society, and Animalism stated the all animals were equal. And both didn't quite live up to their promises.
9. The farm has food, cooperating citizens, leaders, shelter, and no enemies.
Chap. 3&4
1.The animals are being taught to read and write, and the puppies in the hay loft are being educated by Napoleon. The animals work together (mostly) to get the job done. There is a form of government because pigs are in charge.
2. The flag is green with a white horn and hoof, the green symbolizing the green fields the animals would own after the animals took over, and the hoof and horn symbolizing the animals that would conquer. It is very similar to the U.S.S.R Communist flag, which is red with a yellow hammer and sickle on it.
3. Napoleon and Snowball are beginning to have different opinions, thus making the two fight for their own belief.
4.The simplification is a good propaganda technique because it makes things easier to understand, so the simpler beings with the easiest opinions to change can understand and start to believe it. It is also easy to remember, making the saying simple to spread around.
5. The pigs set themselves up to be the elite in that they thought they were cleverest, and they reinforced that belief, true or not, into all of the animals. They give themselves the best, because they say they are the best, and if they grow ill, Jones will come back.
6. Squealer is a very persuasive pig, winning every argument. This comes in handy when brainwashing, as it would make all the animals believe him and what he wants them to believe. They have propaganda to enforce.
7.The Battle of the Cowshed was different from the Rebellion since the humans were trying to take back the farm in the battle of the Cowshed, but in the Rebellion, it was the animals who took the farm. The humans were prepared in the Battle of the Cowshed, but not in the rebellion. there were guns in the Cowshed, but not in the Rebellion. A sheep died in the Cowshed, and Snowball was a fighter in this battle.
8. Boxer did not really take to the idea of killing humans, even for his freedom, even though he was awarded for it. He did not like killing. Snowball was proud & pleased, and thought it was the absolute right thing to do to kill and injure for freedom."The only good human being is a dead human being."
9. From what I know about the pigs so far, they like power. So a society where everyone holds power, with the pigs being leaders, is a bad idea, thus being ironic.
Chap 5&6
1.Mollie is rejected by the other animals since she favors the finer things more, and those things were made by humans.
2.Snowball was in favor of the windmill, and Napoleon was against it. Napoleon chaes Snowball out of the farm with his dogs, and then the windmill was going to be built beacause according to Squealer, Snowball stole the idea from Napoleon.
3.Under Jone's rule, the farm was totally ruled by Jones. Under napoleons rule, the leaders were animals, and at first, everyone had equal power. but now, napoleon is like Jones.
4.freedom ad Bravery used to be what would make the animals free of jone's rule, but now obedience and loyalty to Napoleon who is "always right') is what would make the animals free.
5.i would consider it poropaganda because it is not entirely true. No matter what explanation there is for napoleon taking over, it still isn't what he promised in the beginning.
6.Boxer's motto shapes his character in that it makes him think that if he works harder for his cause, it will turn out okay. But in reality, there is more you can do to help your cause.
7.Napoleon takes credit for this by saying that Snowball stole the windmill plans from Napoleon, and that he was against it only so Snowball could be chased out.
8.Napoleon took the commandment about sleeping in beds and changed it to sleeping in beds with sheets, and made the animals think it was that all along. He said that there never was a rule that animals couldn't trade, and took it off the list. They thought it was never there, and they were all mistaken.
9.As napoleon uses it, tactics is a way of using cunning and wit to get what you want. Or, make your plans work.
Chapter 7&8
1. Napoleon makes it seem like everything is fine by filling the bins up with dirt and adding food on top to make them seem full, and having the sheep remark about increased rations when Mr.Whymper came.
2.The hens revolt by laying eggs in the rafters so the break, but some starve because of no rations and all of the remaining hens retreat back to the coop and agree to lay eggs for Napoleon.
3.The memory of Snowball is used to keep the animals in line by having the animals be reminded of all his "wrongdoings", and blaming him for everything, like a scapegoat. The animals are discouraged to rebel because they do not want to be blamed.
4.The meaning of the slaughter of animals is to show how many "traitors" were hiding among the animals, and how anything breaking the rules would not go unpunished.
5.Clover starts singing Beasts of England because it seems to convey her thoughts about what would be right as well as she could, and it shows that Clover is not afraid to express her thoughts as much as other animals might be.
6.Napoleon abolishes the song because he says that Beasts of England was the song of the Rebellion. But the Rebellion is now completed. The execution of the traitors was the final act. The real reason is that he doesn't
want the animals to find the meaning of the song, which is to fight and rebel for what is right.
7. Napoleon is lying to the animals by changing up the commandments to fit his needs and telling the animals they were always the same, banning Beasts of England because the song was "no longer needed", when really it was because it told the animals to fight, and Napoleon blames SNowball on breaking the windmill, when it was really just a strong breeze.
8.The poem builds up Napoleon's image by showing al the good things about him, like his cleverness and bravery, and exaggerating them.
9.In the Rebellion and battle of the cowshed, there were far fewer guns. Also, the animals were more bitter and savage in the Windmill, as they had something to be bitter and savage about.
Chapter 9&10
1.Napoleon says the reason for the Spontaneous Demonstration is to show the animal's pride in their rebellions. But Napoleon really wants to embue the animals with a feeling of patriotism to make them want to sacrifice their all for the farm and think Napoleon is a sufficient leader.
2. Napoleon wanted to have Moses preach to the animals about Sugar Candy Mountain, so they knew they could work hard and have a a fantastic place to live out their days in the future.Napoleon is sinking low in doing this; it shows how he is afraid of a rebellion amongst the workers.
3.Boxer is admired by the farm animals because he is a hard worker, and any problem that comes along is always met with harder work from Boxer. The animals were told that Boxer was going to the veterinarian when he fell sick, but really he was going to the knacker. Squealer says that he wasn't really going to the knacker, that it was in fact the vet, but the vet had just acquired the van and had not painted it yet. Squealer told how Boxer died with such emotion, there was no way any of the animals could have thought otherwise.
4.The symbolism of the knacker is exile, and where people who could not be cared for went.
5. The two classes are the high leading class and the low, poor, working class. They formed when pigs started making themselves the superior animals, as well as the leading dogs. They working class got poorer and poorer as the high class got richer and richer.
Thought Questions
1.)The animals didn't run away because they had worked so hard for the farm. They didn't want to leave when the going got hard. They thought things were going to get better if they tried harder.
2.)The significance of the "Beasts Of England" is a metaphor for communism. It helped inspire the animals to rebel. It taught them of a different time, a better time, one where they would come together to create a closer community.
3.)Their resentment vanished because they were living their dreams, what they always wanted. They were working under themselves not for someone else. They no longer answered to the man, so it didn't matter that the animals worked harder and got less food.
4.)He is against the windmill because it wasn't his idea. He changed it because he wanted credit for it. With snowball gone he could build with his ego intact and the animals were inspired how he was trying to protect them from snowball.
5.)The dogs were ordered to attack because they were under Napoleons rule. They took the orders becuase they were trained to follow the masters word, in this case to attack snowball. No one stepped in because they were afraid of the dogs and of Napoleon.
6.)They were saying that Napoleon was the smartest and made the best decisions. That the animals made a decision it would go worng and the farm would failo. Once the farm failed Jones would come back and the animals didn't want that so they did what Napoleon said.
7.)When a leader has more access to information they shouldn't make all the decisions without impute from the group. They should tell other members what's going on so they to can make informed decisions. If the leader make a sole decision he could be choosing wrong and be corrupted , therefore ruining utopia so he should have advisers.
8.)They accomplished this be cleverness and lying. The changed the commandment without telling anyone then said it had always been like that. They siad that they deserved, they'd been working so hard as if the other animals hadn't, so they lied to get what they want and to the animals expense.
9.) None complained because they figured that the animals were so much smarter that they were doing it for the good of the animals. The pigs said that they were doing paperwork and it was so much harder than normal work and they needed more sleep.
10.)Napoleon "knew" that Snowball had destroyed the windmill because snowball had always been an "enemy". It was obvious because napoleon had chased snowball out and wanted revenge. So he took it by destroying the windmill, which is the animals greatest accomplishment.
11.) Their better because they think their there own master. They think there better off because the think they can do what the want. Their in a dictatorship when they think their in a democracy.
12.) Boxer works so hard because he can't not work. He is a very driven animals even if its for the wrong thing he still works as hard as he can.
13.)At first they thought they had a Utopia, they thought everyone was equal. Then the leaders got power hungry and changed things to fit their idea of good. The animals didn't wnat to rebel because they still thought all was good when everything was falling apart.