Animal Farm

George Orwell

Chapters 1 to 4:
Background and Reading Journal Responses

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Acknowledgement: Unit adapted from work originally created by BGE et al, CGS

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 Animal Farm

George Orwell

Reading journal:

You are to keep a journal as we read, Animal Farm in which you will record notes, definitions and
responses to any activities.

Background:

The parody in Animal Farm is evident from the start. Animal behaviour parodies that of human
behaviour. A description of Mollie, p2-3, “the foolish, pretty white mare...mincing daintily...
flirting her white mane, hoping to draw attention...” could be a description of any vain, silly girl.
In this instance it is comic because Mollie is a horse, hot a human.

You will see how Orwell uses the sheep as a parody of the characteristics of the unthinking
members of the population who follow one another mindlessly and are easily manipulated.

Orwell uses other techniques of satire: irony, exaggeration and caricature.

The premise of Animal Farm is to satirise every aspects of the political processes of rebellion. This
story deals with the discontent, the climax of unhappiness which triggers the rebellion, the
establishment of a new system of government, the propaganda, the leadership struggles and
reactions of all those involved.

Many of the ideals behind the Soviet revolution were based on the writings and teachings of Karl
Marx. He was a German intellectual who lived in the mid-1800s, and believed that societies are
divided into two segments; the working class and the owner class.

The working class creates all the products, while the owner class enjoys
the benefits of these products. This class division leads to inequality and
oppression of the working class. Marx’s objective was to create a
classless society in which the work is shared by all for the benefit of all, and he believed revolution
was the way to achieve this goal. It is generally interpreted that Old Major is a representation of
Karl Marx.

Animal Farm as a fable: Fables have two important characteristics – they teach a moral or a lesson
and the characters are generally animals (Aesop’s Fables)

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It is suggested that Old Major, Snowball and Napoleon represent Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky and
Joseph Stalin. Many of the other characters are more general, and grouped as a single character
– the sheep, the hens, and he dogs. Orwell also uses the traits generally associated with various
animals – sheep as followers and dogs are loyal.

Reading journal:

You are to keep a journal as we read, Animal Farm in which you will record notes, summaries,
definitions and responses to any activities.

Example of a summary for Chapter 1:

Chapter 1
Twelve-year-old Major, Manor Farm’s prize-winning boar, calls
a meeting of all of the animals to talk about the difficulty
of their lives under man’s rule. He reveals his dream and
prophesies a future rebellion of animals against man, teaching
the animals a song called “Beasts of England.”

Obviously, you are not required to write a thesis on each chapter; just a brief summary outlining
the key point(s).

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

The following words are part of the necessary vocabulary that you need to understand whilst
reading the text.

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They are divided into general, specific and literary for the novel, Animal Farm.

General Vocabulary

Word Definition
ensconced established

falter hesitate

dissentients those who rebel (dissent) or oppose

enmity hatred

preeminent worthy of respect

vivacious full of life

apathy attitude of disinterest; "I don't care."

gamboled skipped, hopped, leaped about

spinney a thicket, thorny bush

acute sharp senses, highly aware

parasitical dependent upon others

shirked avoided work

obstinate stubborn

cryptic difficult to understand

indefatigable untiring

maxim a saying, a proverb

ignominious: shameful

posthumously: after death

factions a party that breaks off from the main group

dynamo: a hard-working machine, or a machine-like person

who never stops

Specific Vocabulary

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 1. proletariat: the working class
2. propaganda: language meant to persuade or subvert, especially politically
3. Karl Marx
4. Joseph Stalin
5. Russian Revolution

Literary Terms

1. beast fable
2. allegory
3. symbolism
4. satire
5. dramatic irony
6. situational irony

The major characters in Animal Farm are introduced in the first four chapters. As you read, think
about the purpose of each of Orwell’s characters. Complete the chart by noting details that
describe each character or by listing key actions and purpose. Identify the individual or group of
people being parodied.

Character Characteristics/actions/purpose

Old Major Gets revolution started; inspires hope for real

change

Boxer is a dedicated hardworking animal ;

Boxer similar to hardworking soldiers

Boxer’s Girl,
Clover

Napoleon is a major leader of the farm; he

Napoleon desires more power than is fair.

Snowball is an innovator and thinker; he has

Snowball new ideas to benefit the animals on the farm

One of the pigs

Squealer

Mollie is synonymous to a lazy unmotivated

Mollie person; she is not putting the farm over herself

Benjamin

The raven on the farm; brings messages from

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Moses other farms

@BNsBejMrJOnesEvILmAn
Mr Jones

The dogs of the farm

Bluebell, Jessie, Pincher

Will follow instructions; good at remembering

The sheep instructions

Leading questions for your journal entries for chapters 1-4.

Personal Response:

What is your reaction to the animals’ revolution?

The animals’ revolution is brilliant, they overthrew the lazy, greedy and tyrannical head of
the farm Mr Jones. They implemented a terrific system in which all animals are equal and
work together to achieve a common goal

Do you sympathise with Old Major’s complaints and goals? Why or why not? (Ch 1)

Recall and Interpret:

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Describe how the Rebellion takes place. How does the animals’ behavior during the Rebellion
suggest both human and animal characteristics? (Ch 2)

How do the pigs gain rights to the cows’ milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur? What
does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm? (Ch. 2, 3)

How does the original vision of Animalism become the slogan “Four legs bad, two legs good”? In
your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs
use? (Ch.3)

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Evaluate and Connect:

What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution?

Characterise Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the
appropriate reaction to have during a revolution?

What and/or who do the following represent? Choose two and explain how the character or the

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idea is used to satirise a real person or an idea familiar to us.

Snowball; Napoleon; Squealer; Animalism; Moses; Sugarcandy Mountain; The Rebellion; The
Seven Commandments

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