Animal farm discussion questions

1. Compiled December 2013 Animal farm discussion questions

2. The introduction claims that “the pen is mightier than the atomic bomb” – do you believe this sentiment? (p. vi). According to Orwell, nothing is worse than “[performing] the essential Jonah act of allowing himself to be swallowed, remaining passive, accepting” (p. viii). Comment Introduction

3. What is Orwell trying to relate to the audience with the initial description of Old Major (p. 16)? • What are the hints Orwell uses to remind the reader that this novel is an allegory for the USSR? • What is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major? • What might this arrangement say about future meetings or events? • Discuss “’All men are enemies. All animals are comrades’” in terms of nationalism (p. 21). • What is Orwell foreshadowing to the reader with “’And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not come to resemble him’”(p. 21)? (Can you think of ways each of these commandments could be considered a vice? ) • a. No animal is ever to sleep in a bed. f. No animal is to live in a house. • b. No animal is ever to wear clothes. g. No animal is to smoke tobacco. • c. No animal is ever to drink alcohol. h. No animal is to touch money. • d. No animal must ever kill any other animal. i. No animal is to engage in trade. • e. All animals are equal. j. No animal is to tyrannize his own kind. • Discuss the inclusion of the song (p. 22-23) – what is it symbolic of? • According to Old Major, why is the rebellion necessary? How does he convince (persuade) the other animals? Chapter One

4. Why are Mollie’s questions deemed ‘stupid’? Why are people considered the enemy? Why do you think animals cant wear clothes, sleep in beds, drink alcohol, and kill other animals? Why do you think Old Major gave the more intelligent animals the speech? What do the descriptions of Snowball and Napoleon indicate? How is Squealer the ‘personification’ of propaganda? Who is Moses? Why do the pigs hate him? Chapter two

5. Why do you think the animals were so happy there were eating their “own”, “deserved”, “earned” food that was “not doled out to them by a grudging master” (p. 36)? Why would the animals rather not eat food from their “master”? Why do you think the old donkey Benjamin never expressed his opinion, worked without complaining, and kept to himself? Referring to the re-education committee (p. 39), what do you think the cat mean by her offering? Why did the sparrows stay away from her? What is the significance of Squealer’s monologue about the importance of the pigs eating the apple and milk? What does he mean by “’we pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organization of this farm depends on us’” (p.42)? Why do you think Snowball painted the hoof and horn signifying the Republic on the green table cloth he found? What is the importance of the truncation of the slogan? What is the correlation between the animals and their reading levels/enthusiasm? Chapter three

6. What are the humans doing - both offensive and defensive - in order to prevent Animalism? What is symbolic about Boxer’s reaction to the battle – why do you think Orwell included this? What is the significance of p 49’s speech at the graveside of the dead sheep? Why do you think the song “Beasts of England” angered the humans so much? In your opinion, why do all the animals listen to Snowball about attacking the humans? Why did Mollie hid during the fight? What is the significance of the gun’s placement after the battle? Chapter four

7. Napoleon and Snowball have very different approaches to how to function after the battle – what are they? What changes have been made in the weekly meetings over the last year? Explain the windmill controversy from Snowball’s and Napoleon’s point of view. Why does Mollie run away from the farmand go to Foxwood (p. 52)? What changes does Napoleon make after his dogs chase Snowball off the farm? Why don’t the other animals protest Napoleon’s decisions? Note how the animals now arrange themselves in the barn meetings. What is the importance of the dogs accompanying Squealer when he talks to the other animals? Chapter five

8. How do the pigs abide by the statement “In order to maintain power, you must oppress the people”? Why does Napoleon engage in trade? How do the pigs justify their luxuries? Discuss the cyclical nature of tyranny Discuss Boxer’s “Napoleon is always right” motto How is Snowball an effective propaganda tool? Chapter six

9. Why is it “vitally necessary to conceal” the troubles at Animal farm? Discuss the Purge Discuss the importance of “’I could show you this in his own writing, if you were able to read it” (80). How does illiteracy lead to opression? How do the animals deal with the Purge in different ways? How is life different after the Purge? Why is the song “Beasts of England” outlawed? Chapter seven

10. What does it represent when the animals do not speak out about the commandments being broken (‘No animal shall kill any other animal’)? What is the significance of the new song about Comrade Napoleon? Discuss the new pigeon slogans Discuss the Battle of the Windmill What is the significance of the whiskey and changing of the 5th amendment? How are Frederick (G) and Pilkington(A) symbolic? Chapter eight

11. Why do you suppose Napoleon allowed Moses to return? What is ironic about Boxer’s death? What are the purposes of the Spontaneous Demonstrations? Chapter nine

12. What is the significance of the windmill’s purpose? Look at page 122 – what is the author doing with his style? Discuss the last commandment Discuss the importance of the ending Chapter 10