Animal Farm Essential Questions 

1. How do allegories reveal basic truths about society/life? 

2. How is the idea of freedom seen in the book? How is repression seen
in the book? 
3. What is the role of an individual in his/her society? 
4. How does propaganda influence the actions of an individual? 
5. What do you think are Orwell’s feelings about religion? 
6. What do you think are Orwell’s feelings about Communism? 
7. How does Orwell want you to feel about power? How do you know? 
8. Why do the animals’ original utopian ideas fail? 
9. What causes people to rise up and rebel? 
10.What prevailing conditions cause revolt? 
11.Does this novel still resonate today? How so? 
 
12.Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership
position on the farm. How 
1. Napoleon manipulates the animals by talking to them one at a time. He
does this early in the book when Snowball is trying to persuade animals to
join him on hisi deas. ... 
2. Napoleon also enlists the help of a gifted and crafty speaker on his behalf.
This is Squealer. ... 
3. Napoleon has Squealer use propaganda.

13.Does the process of decision-making on the farm change under

Napoleon’s leadership? 
He chased Snowball out of the farm, uses Squealer to persuade other
animals to believe in him and his nine fierce guard dogs to threaten
those who goes against him. ... It is to warn other animals not to
betray Napoleon.

14.Why do the executions take place? What message do these events

send to the animals 
The executions take place to keep the farm controlled as it made
the animals feel fear so that will make them behave. This events
sent the animals a message of tyranny by the pigs so their role in a
future society will be to do everything the pigs want them to do.14 a

15.About their role in a future society? 

16.Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more
skilled—like the pigs in 
I would say that it is fair that the individuals with more education possess
more influence in decision making. One would rather have people with
education and knowledge making decisions as opposed to individuals
with less education and understanding making decisions.  The critical
element in this equation is establishing some type of framework where
individual who abuse or misuse their power can be recalled.  Perhaps,
 we are not able to create settings where the best and the brightest
always act in the public interest.  If this is the case, we can at least
create scenarios where individuals are able to recall or remove those
who are abusing their power or not acting in the public interest.  The
systems of checks and balances or popular sovereignty might be one
such element where individuals must use their intelligence and
knowledge to act for the interests of all.

17.Animal Farm—have more influence in decision making? Consider

how decisions are made in your community, state, or in the nation. 
I do not think it is fair because everyone should have the rights to fight
for their own well-being. I would say it's more fair to the individuals who
have more education who get to possess more influence in decision
making. But for regular old folk like me, it's not fair. In school, I think it's
unfair that we are forced to dress how we are told by others and forced
to take tests. It isn't fair if certain classes get to make the majority of
decisions for a society in which there are other classes and groups. Just
because a person is smart, doesn't mean they are honorable and ethical.
Snowball seemed like he had ethical values. But Napoleon was just as
smart as Snowball and he let his own power corrupt his values. When
one person has control over an economy or nation, sometimes they only
look out for their own interests. This is basically what happens in Animal
Farm; Napoleon wants to become head of the farm so badly, he begins
to only look out for himself.
18.Do you think revolution is worth the upheaval and damage it
inevitably causes? Can it bring about real and lasting change? Why or
why not? 
Revolution is sometimes worth the destruction and upheaval it causes. If
the people feel oppressed to the point where they cannot live this way
any longer, than it may be worth the risk. The leader of the people needs
to be unselfish and want what the people want. If the leader is like
Napoleon, cunning and wanting to fight only to better himself, then the
revolution is not worth it, and it may bring harm to the oppressed.

19.What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For example, do you find
it uplifting, depressing, cynical? Explain.
In my opinion, I think the animals revolution was good. I think this
because the animals were treated badly. for example, Mr. Jones didn't
feed them for a while. Since they started the revolution, they will stop
suffering

 
Recall and Interpret 
20.What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington?
How does the battle over 
There is another incident in Chapter Seven in which Napoleon finds a
pile of timber and instructs Mr. Whymper to sell it. Pilkington and
Frederick are both "anxious" to buy the wood, and Napoleon spends
some time deciding to whom he should sell. In the next chapter,
Napoleon decides to sell the timber to Frederick, but Frederick pays for
the logs with forged banknotes. When Napoleon realizes what has
happened, he is furious and pronounces the sentence of death upon
Frederick. Frederick and his men then attack the farm and blow up the
windmill.

21.The windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is
Orwell highlighting? 
The battle of the windmills shattered their morales as during the battle of
the windmill, their hard work (the windmill), was blown up by the
humans. Orwell is highlightingthe German Invasion of Russia during
World War 2.5

22.What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his
fate? How do they come to a final conclusion about these events? 
 After Boxer collapses due to his injuries, he and the other
animals believe he can finally retire in peace. However, he is loaded into
a car and taken to the glue factory. Benjamin is able to read and realizes
that the car belongs to a knacker, giving away the fate that awaits Boxer.

23.What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How
is the entire list of Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is
Orwell making about the role of communication in Soviet society? 
The Fifth Commandment initially reads, "No animal shall drink alcohol,"
and the Sixth Commandment reads, "No animal shall kill any other
animal" at the beginning of the novella. Following the public executions
that take place in chapter 7, some of the animals remember that there is
a commandment against killing other animals. However, the pigs alter
the Sixth Commandment by adding two additional words that coincide
with Napoleon's actions. When Muriel reads the Sixth Commandment, it
now states, "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause."

24.In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is
this evolution a sign of progress? Explain. 
In terms of scientific development, yes, the pigs walking on two legs is
definitely an evolution, however, in terms of events in the novel, it
depends on from whose perspective this new occurrence is perceived. If
one perceives it from the pigs' standpoint, they will see their action as an
advancement. From the other animals' point of view, though, it will be a
step in the wrong direction, for their rebellion was, in fact, to get rid of
their two-legged and dictatorial masters, the humans.
 25.Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that
the pigs and human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think
most government rulers are interchangeable? How might power change
those who have it? Explain. 
o think most political leaders are interchangeable. Some political leaders
are not leading their people correctly, for example the pigs. Power
corrupts those who have it. When the people did not have power, they
did not have the position to make decisions. When they gained power,
they think they have the freedom to do whatever they want, so they
make terrible decisions, and then they could get corrupted. I think that
they are interchangeable as some leaders abuse their authority and
those leaders should be changed. There are good rulers and bad rulers;
not all leaders are one way or another, and most, because it is human
nature, are both good and bad. Power allows us to become selfish. I do
think most political leaders are interchangeable. Some political leaders
are not leading their people correctly, just like the pigs. Again, I think
power corrupts those who have it.
 
26.Animal Farm contains many extremely effective scenes. Some are
humorous or witty, others are bitterly ironic or pessimistic. Which scene
did you find most memorable and effective? Why? 
A seen that sticks with me is a terrifying one: I suppose that is
why it has stayed with me for so long. The scene is when Boxer
the horse. One afternoon, a van comes to take Boxer away. It
has “lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned
bowler hat sitting on the driver’s seat.” The hopeful animals wish
Boxer goodbye, but Benjamin breaks their revelry by reading the
lettering on the side of the van: “Alfred Simmons, Horse
Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and
Bone-Meal. Kennels Supplied” (123). The animals panic and try
to get Boxer to escape. He tries to get out of the van, but he has
grown too weak to break the door. The animals try to appeal to
the horses drawing the van, but they do not understand the
situation. When Boxer realizes what is going on, it is too late.
That was such a betrayal of the most loyal and useful animal on
the farm.

 
27.What exactly is censorship? How does a government typically
exercise its power of censorship? How might this power be misused? 
 
28.According to Orwell, what is the worst enemy a journalist has to face
in England? Why do you think he believes this? 
 
 29.The regulation of information has long been a subject of controversy.
Organize a debate on a subject of censorship—for example, the
placement of warning labels on CDs containing explicit lyrics. How is
the appropriateness of such censorship determined? What about
labeling music on the radio, on television, or on the Internet? Do we as a
society have a responsibility to censor music for children? 
 
30.Which personal freedoms are most important to you and why? How
would you react if any of your personal freedoms were taken away? 
 
 
Background 
Pitirim A. Sorokin, born in Russia in 1889, was an important figure in sociology.
Sorokin boldly wrote of the Russian Revolution from the perspective of a
person who lived through it. This passage from his diary paints a vivid picture of
the persecution to which people were subjected, including the mass starvation
in Russia that occurred in 1921 and claimed many lives.  
 
31.What Sorokin witnessed and experienced gives context to the
oppression and starvation experienced by the animals in Orwell’s Animal
Farm. 
32.Why did buying “the little one could afford” give people “the most
intense happiness”? 
33.Which of the oppressive conditions described by Sorokin do you also
see in Animal Farm? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 7 
 
1. How does Napoleon maintain Animal Farm’s reputation and “disprove” the rumors
being spread about it? Why is this so important? 
As a master of propaganda and public speaking, Squealer puts his skills to
work after Snowball is exiled and Napoleon takes over. He relies on his
standard strategies, opening by saying Napoleon's assumption of leadership is
an act of self-sacrifice for the animals' own good, denying any personal benefits
Napoleon may derive from controlling the farm. He questions the animals' ability
to make decision for themselves, which is a valid point, but his mention of it
also serves to undermine the animals' confidence in their own knowledge and
abilities. He undercuts the animals' confidence in their own memories when he
declares Snowball a criminal and counters their claims that Snowball was brave
in the Battle of the Cowshed by saying Snowball's role has been much
 exaggerated. Once the animals lose confidence in what they think they know,
they are more open to Squealer's version of events. He concludes with his
appeal to the animals' fear that Mr. Jones might return to the farm if they don't
do as they are told, and as in the past, this statement effectively ends all
discussion.

2. What minor rebellion happens among the animals, and how does Napoleon deal
with it?
Napoleon acts swiftly by ordering the hens' food rations to be stopped and
decrees that any animal caught giving the hens food will be punished by
death. The hens hold out for five days until they eventually capitulate and
return to their nesting boxes. Over the course of the five days, nine hens die
of starvation.
 
3. What major tactic do the pigs use to keep the animals unified and obedient and to
keep them from being bothered by all of the things that start to go wrong? 
The major tactic that the bigs use to keep the animals unified and
obedient was Napoleon will slaughter the animals that
disobey him or goes against him.

4. Why do the cows all think that Snowball milks them in their sleep, and why do so
many animals confess to various crimes? Are these stories true? Do you think the
four pigs really collaborated with Snowball? Why did Napoleon kill them? 
The reason they confess is because they are paranoid. Out of fear that
Napolean might find out about their transgressions, they confess in hopes of
receiving a lesser punishment. Unfortunately, Napolean mercilessly
slaughters each animal that con

5. Why do you think the pigs forbid the animals to sing Beasts of England? What is
the significance of the first lines of the new song written by Minimus? 
Napoleon says that “Beasts of England” was a song of the revolution and
was no longer needed. The real reason he bans it is because he does not
want another revolution. ... Napoleon and the other pigs allow the song to
continue for a little while after the revolution, in order to keep
the animals motivated.

Chapter 8 
1. How does Squealer “prove” to the animals that conditions on Animal Farm have
gotten better? What other tactics of his are similar to this? 
On Sundays Squealer assures them, by reading statistics from a sheet of
paper, that their efforts are increasing production many times over. The
animals can do nothing but believe Squealer. They can scarcely remember
life before the Rebellion.

Squealer also uses this tactic to amend the Seven Commandments when it
suits his purpose.
2. What new signs are there that Napoleon has become a tyrant? What effect do his new
rituals, such as having the gun fired on his birthday, have on the animals? What irrational
behavior shows that the animals have been brainwashed into accepting Napoleon’s new
status? 
3. What stories are told about Pinchfield Farm and Frederick? Do you think these stories
are true? Why are they being told? What does Napoleon later say about these stories
after he sells the timber to Frederick?
Pinchfield Farm is one of the farms that borders Animal Farm; its owner is Mr.
Frederick.Mr. Frederick is said to be a tough man who is intelligent and exacting.
He is often dealing with lawsuits. Mr. Frederick dislikes the owner of the other farm
that borders Animal Farm, Mr. Plinkington of Foxwood, enough that the two can't
work together, even when they should.At times, the animals say that Napoleon is
on the verge of a deal with Mr. Frederick. They also say that Snowball is hiding on
his farm. When that rumor is established, Squealer tells the others that Snowball
and Mr. Frederick are plotting to attack Animal Farm together.
 
4. What turns the tide of the Battle of the Windmill in favor of the animals, and why? 
The turning point of the battle is when the dogs from Napoleon's bodyguard
attacked the men from behind a hedge, outflanking them. This caused the
men to run, but not without having inflicted terrible casualties on
the animals. The animals celebrated with a speech by Napoleon as well as
a funeral for the slain.

5. Why is it announced that Napoleon is dying? 

All the signs of drunkenness were present. This was when Squealer stated
that Napoleon was dying. It was Napoleon's first experience with
drunkenness. He had a hangover after a night of drinking.

6. What is the meaning of Squealer’s midnight accident, which only Benjamin

understands, and why doesn’t Benjamin explain it to the other animals? 
Squealer has a broken ladder and a can of paint. Benjamin seems to
understand what is happening but declines to share his insight with the others.
However, a few days later, Muriel notices that the Fifth Commandment has
been changed from “No animal shall drink alcohol” to “No animal shall drink
alcohol to excess” (113). Benjamin does not read for the animals until Boxer
gets taken away.

Chapter 9 
1. How is the sentence “As yet no animal had actually retired on pension” an example of
foreshadowing? 
2. Why does Squealer describe each reduction in the animals’ rations as a “readjustment”
rather than a reduction? 
In other words, Squealer knows that if he tells the animals that their rations have
been reduced, the animals will be upset and more difficult to control. ...
Moreover, Squealer uses this euphemism because Napoleon does not want
the animals (or the outside world) to realize just how bleak the food situation really
is.

2. How does the passage of time make it easier for the pigs to control the other
animals? 
In Chapter 9, "all rations were reduced, except those of the pigs and the dogs". 
When all four sows gave birth to litters obviously sired by Napoleon, they were
given special instruction in the farmhouse kitchen by Napoleon himself, and
took their exercise in the garden.  It was decided that a schoolroom would be
made in the garden just for the piglets, and that the other animals would have to
labor to make it.  It was also laid down as a rule around this time that "when a
pig and any other animal met on the path, the other animal must stand aside",
and that "all pigs...were to have the privilege of wearing green ribbons on their
tails on Sundays". 
Rations were again reduced two months after the first reduction, but "the pigs
seemed comfortable enough, and in fact were putting on weight if anything'.  Later,
it was announced that "all barley would be reserved for the pigs", and the news
also leaked out that "every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily,
with half a gallon for Napoleon himself, which was always served to him in the
Crown Derby soup tureen

4. Why do the pigs organize more songs, more speeches, and more processions for the
animals? 
Animal Farm Study Questions Page 4 
© 2002, 2005 C. Brantley Collins, Jr. 
5. What is ironic about the presidential election? 
6. Why do the pigs allow Moses to remain on the farm and even give him an allowance of
beer, even though he doesn’t do any work? 
Napoleon allows Moses to return and tell stories about Sugarcandy Mountain for
one main reason. Napoleon sees it as an opportunity to keep the animals subdued
and docile. ... Napoleon also sees that Moses will continue to stay and talk of this
continually for a small allowance of beer a day.

7. Why do you think Boxer is so determined to work hard, despite the harm it does to
his health? 
Boxer, being the biggest and strongest animal on the farm, adopted the
maxim, "I will work harder!" soon after the Rebellion. He was keen to do his
best for the good of all and was motivated by the freedom the animals
experienced at the time. His commitment is clearly illustrated in the following
excerpt from chapter three:

8. What is ironic about the “memorial in Boxer’s honor”? 

What is ironic about the “memorial in Boxer's honor”? The entire memorial in
Boxers honor was ironic because it was never for Boxer at all. The pigs got
moneyand whiskey out of it & only used the entire thing to their fortune.
 9.
Chapter 10 
1. Why is Benjamin “more morose and taciturn than ever” since Boxer’s death? 
2. How is the Republic of the Animals, foretold by Major, like Sugarcandy Mountain? 
3. Why do you think the animals never rebel again? 
4. Why does Squealer keep the sheep separated from the other animals for a week? 
Squealer takes the sheep for a week to teach them to replace their chant of “Four
legs good, two legs bad!” with "Four legs good, two legs better!” ... Whenever
Snowball carries the animals away, the sheep interfere.

6. Why do the pigs teach themselves to walk on two legs? 

Why does Napoleon - and later on the other pigs as well - carry a whip ?
The pigs taught themselves to walk on their hind legs like a humans.
They carried a whip to scare the other animals and appear more in charge
and better. ... All Animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than
others.

7. What is the real meaning of the maxim “All animals are equal, but some animals
are more equal than others,” and why is it expressed in this way? 
A proclamation by the pigs who control the government in the novel Animal
Farm, by George Orwell. The sentence is a comment on the hypocrisy of
governments that proclaim the absolute equality of their citizens but give power
and privileges to a small elite.

8. Why are the pigs finally able to be friends with human beings? 
The humans in the story are separate from the animals on the farm. In a
way, this separation and difference is the human's most important
characteristics. This distance in culture (ways of dressing, ways of walking,
etc.) also takes the form of an emotional distance. When the humans do not
feel a connection with the animals, they are willing to treat the animals very
poorly and as lesser creatures without rights. 

9. What is significant about the changes that Napoleon announces in his speech to
the humans at the party? 
Napoleon then offers a speech in which he outlines his new policies: The
word "comrade" will be suppressed, there will be no more
Sunday meetings, the skull of old Major has been buried, and the farm flag
will be changed to a simple field of green.

Review Questions 
1. What do you think are the major themes and messages of the book? 
Animal Farm is a didactic text - Orwell aims to teach the reader a number of
lessons on: equality and inequality. power, control and corruption.

2. What evolution do the pigs undergo in the novel, and what theme does this
suggest? Do you think the pigs ever intended for Animal Farm to be a true utopia? 
 the evolution represents the rebllion and the pigs are getting tired of how they are
treated. Yes because at the start of the book they thought the farm was going to
be a perfect world. Major and snowball mainly wanted an utopian society.

3. What do you think is the most important factor in the pigs’ rise to tyrannical power
—what makes this possible? Think of all of the tactics the pigs use to keep the
animals unified and obedient—what do these tactics rely on for their
effectiveness? How does the passage of time make it easier for the pigs to control
them? 
during this time the pigs believed anything that there ruler said. And they fell
for everything that was said. They made it very easy for a dictator to control
them. Over time they started to forget what happened. They would always
say that Mr. Jones would come back and that made the pigs work harder
because they thought it was a better life now then when Mr. Jones was
there.

4. What major tactic to the pigs use to keep the animals unified and obedient and to
keep them from being bothered by all of the things that start to go wrong? What
characteristics of human nature does this show? 
When the pigs kill the other animals it shows the bad characteristics of human
nature. The pigs always said that the ruler approved of this or that Mr. Jones
would come back and there were afraid that would happen.

5. What role does the revision of history play in the novel? Cite examples. What
characteristics of human nature does this show?