Animal Farm Discussion Questions

Chapter 3 & 4

Chapter 3

1. Chart examples of the differences between these two groups of animals that occur in these chapters:
Pigs Other Animals

Supervise Work
Explaining Voting
Resolutions Various degrees of reading (can’t > only the 7
Blacksmithing commandments > the newspapers)
Carpenting Various degrees of writing (only A > only ABCD
Studying > only Mollie)
Organizing Benjamin could read and write but didn’t
Reading writing
Large words
Get the milk and apples

2. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow’s milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur?
What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?
The pigs are allowed the milk and apples because they claim it benefits their health. THe other
animals accept the pigs leadership and their claim of Mr. Jones coming back. This suggests that there are
at least two classes on the farm, the pigs and then everyone else.
3. How does the original vision of Animalism become the slogan “Four legs bad, two legs good”? In
your opinion, why do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs
use?
The original version of animalism becomes “Four legs good, two legs bad” because some of the
animals were not smart enough to memorise the concept. Snowball says “...contains the essential spirit of
Animalism.” p. 34 when he shortens it.
4. What are Napoleon’s ideas about educating the young rather than the older animals? What does this
suggest?
Napoleon thinks that the energy of Animal farm should be directed to teaching the young, not the
old.
5. Why does Snowball form all the committees? Are they effective? Why do you think Orwell includes
this in his story? What’s he saying?
Snowball forms the committees to help the animals organize themselves, or perhaps create the
illusion of self-organization. Most of them broke down quickly. THis is an example of red herring.
6. How is Squealer able to convince the other animals to accept whatever Napoleon decides? Squealer
has one particular argument that is always effective. What is it? What propaganda technique is this?
Squealer’s effective argument is a slippery slope and a fear tactic. He says that Mr. Jones will
come back and then the animals all agree.

Chapter 4
7. Describe the Battle of the Cowshed. Include important details.
The Battle of the Cowshed was when Mr. Jones and Mr. Frederick (who symbolises Nazi) and
Mr. Pilkington (who symbolises Capitalism, specifically US and England) wage war on the communist
farm. When the battle is over, medals of honor are given out, effectively creating two classes and
disregarding the “no clothes” commandment.
8. What was Snowball’s part in this battle? How is he a brilliant military strategist? Characterize
Snowball as a leader. Do you think Snowball’s reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the appropriate
reaction to have during a revolution? Compare it to Boxer’s reaction.
Snowball was a brilliant military strategist because he planned and executed all the animal’s
maneuvers based on Julius Caesar's. Snowball has stereotyped all humans and believes that all who fight
should die. I agree with Boxer’s approach of defending your way of life and morning when there is a
death in a battle, a person he did not kill on purpose.
9. Where is Napoleon during the battle?
There is no mention of Napoleon at all in chapter 4 except for that he sent out pigeons.
10. What is the significance of the gun’s placement at the foot of the flagpole and what do the animals
plan to do with it?
The gun was placed on top of the flagpole to be shot twice a year (one on the revolution date and
another on the anniversary of the battle) as a memory of these days.