Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is Mr. Jones?
Who is Mr. Jones?
The owner of the farm before the rebellion, a drunken and careless ruler.
Who is Boxer?
Who is Boxer?
A dedicated but dimwitted horse who gets sold to the glue factory after he collapses from exhaustion.
Who is Mollie?
Who is Mollie?
A foolish, pretty white mare who loves ribbons and sugar.
Who is Benjamin?
Who is Benjamin?
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Who is Moses?
Who is Moses?
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Who is Old Major?
Who is Old Major?
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Who is Napoleon?
Who is Napoleon?
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Who is Snowball?
Who is Snowball?
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Who is Squealer?
Who is Squealer?
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What type of animals are pigs?
What type of animals are pigs?
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Why does Old Major say that the animals should rebel?
Why does Old Major say that the animals should rebel?
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What is the name of the song sung by all the animals?
What is the name of the song sung by all the animals?
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What sparks the animals' rebellion?
What sparks the animals' rebellion?
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What is one of the first things the animals do after the Rebellion?
What is one of the first things the animals do after the Rebellion?
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What is the new name the animals give the farm after the Rebellion?
What is the new name the animals give the farm after the Rebellion?
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The rest of the First and Second Commandments states: 'Whatever goes upon two legs is a(n) _________. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a(n) ___________.
The rest of the First and Second Commandments states: 'Whatever goes upon two legs is a(n) _________. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a(n) ___________.
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Who is the owner of the farm before the rebellion?
Who is the owner of the farm before the rebellion?
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What happens to Boxer after he collapses from exhaustion?
What happens to Boxer after he collapses from exhaustion?
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Who is the foolish, pretty white mare that loves ribbons and sugar?
Who is the foolish, pretty white mare that loves ribbons and sugar?
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What is Benjamin's attitude after the rebellion?
What is Benjamin's attitude after the rebellion?
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What does Napoleon represent?
What does Napoleon represent?
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What song inspires the Rebellion?
What song inspires the Rebellion?
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Old Major argues that earth could be a paradise if man is removed from the scene.
Old Major argues that earth could be a paradise if man is removed from the scene.
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What does Major say is the root cause of hunger and overwork?
What does Major say is the root cause of hunger and overwork?
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What maxim does Snowball teach the sheep?
What maxim does Snowball teach the sheep?
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What is the new name the animals give the farm after the Rebellion?
What is the new name the animals give the farm after the Rebellion?
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What starts the rebellion?
What starts the rebellion?
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What do the animals do after the rebellion?
What do the animals do after the rebellion?
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What philosophy is Old Major’s philosophy called?
What philosophy is Old Major’s philosophy called?
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Who are the two leader pigs after the rebellion?
Who are the two leader pigs after the rebellion?
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What happens to Major?
What happens to Major?
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Why does Napoleon take away the infant puppies?
Why does Napoleon take away the infant puppies?
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What does Squealer tell the animals about cows' milk and apples?
What does Squealer tell the animals about cows' milk and apples?
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Study Notes
Characters
- Mr. Jones: The drunken and careless owner of the farm before the rebellion; symbolizes Tsar Nicholas II.
- Boxer: A hardworking but naive horse; represents the proletariat and ultimately sold to the glue factory after exhausting himself.
- Mollie: A vain white mare who cherishes ribbons and sugar; her character illustrates self-indulgence and shallowness.
- Benjamin: The pessimistic, older donkey; his famous saying, "Donkeys live a long time," reflects his cynical outlook on life.
- Moses: The pet raven of Mr. Jones who promotes the idea of a heavenly paradise known as "Sugar Candy Mountain," representing religion.
- Old Major: The revered old pig whose vision inspires the rebellion; parallels Lenin and initiates the animals' quest for freedom.
- Napoleon: A large Berkshire pig who becomes dictatorial and represents Stalin; known for his authoritarian tendencies and ambition.
- Snowball: An enthusiastic pig and important leader of the rebellion; later becomes a scapegoat after being chased away by Napoleon's dogs.
- Squealer: A persuasive pig who relays Napoleon's messages to the other animals; embodies propaganda and manipulation.
- Pigs: The most intelligent animals on the farm, assume leadership roles, and learn to read and write.
Events and Plot
- Rebellion Motivation: Old Major articulates the animals' suffering from neglect, overwork, and premature death as justification for the rebellion.
- Establishment of Animal Farm: The animals successfully overthrow Mr. Jones and rename the farm "Animal Farm," reflecting their newfound independence.
- Initial Actions Post-Rebellion: The animals destroy tools of oppression, such as bits and whips, marking a symbolic break from their past.
- Song of Rebellion: "Beasts of England" becomes the anthem of the revolution, symbolizing hope and unity among the animals.
- Commandments: The principles of Animalism are outlined and later memorialized as the Seven Commandments on the barn wall.
- Pigs' Special Privileges: The pigs begin taking advantages, such as consuming milk and apples, justifying it by claiming they require extra nutrition to lead.
- Education of the Animals: Snowball focuses on teaching the animals to read and write; education is seen as crucial for empowerment.
- Animal Committees: Snowball organizes various committees focusing on farm management, though many of these initiatives end up failing.
- Political Manipulation: Language and rhetoric serve as key themes, with the pigs using slogans like "Four legs good, two legs bad" to simplify complex ideas and control thought.
Themes
- Power Dynamics: Napoleon and Snowball represent contrasting leadership styles, foreshadowing the emergence of a totalitarian regime.
- Manipulation and Rhetoric: Squealer’s role illustrates how language can be weaponized for propaganda, influencing the other animals’ perceptions.
- Disillusionment: Overworking yet receiving little in return reflects the plight of the working class, emphasizing exploitation and betrayal.
- Romanticized Dystopia: The concept of a utopian society is continually challenged as the pigs elevate themselves above the other animals.
Philosophy
- Animalism: Major’s principles advocate for equality among all animals, emphasizing that the root cause of their suffering is human oppression.
- Seven Commandments: Initially laid out to ensure equality, these principles are gradually altered to benefit the pigs, highlighting corruption and hypocrisy in governance.
Characters' Attitudes
- Boxer’s Motto: "I will work harder" signifies unwavering dedication to the cause, reflecting both his strength and vulnerability.
- Mollie and the Cat: Their laziness and self-interest indicate a lack of commitment to collective effort, contrasting with the more dedicated animals.
- Benjamin's Inaction: Maintains a nonchalant attitude post-rebellion, signifying skepticism about the change and its potential outcome.
Final Notes
- Consequences of Rebellion: The rebellion initially inspires hope, but gradual shifts in power dynamics lead to tyranny reminiscent of previous oppression.
- Legacy of Old Major: Despite his death, Old Major's ideas catalyze the rebellion, demonstrating how ideology can outlive individual leaders.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Review key characters and themes from the first three chapters of 'Animal Farm'. This flashcard quiz highlights important figures such as Mr. Jones, Boxer, and Mollie, as well as their roles within the story. Perfect for studying and reinforcing your understanding of the early narrative elements.
