“Animal Farm” Study Guide
Chapter and Story Development
Quotes and Techniques
Historical Events
Chapter One:
Old Major calls a meeting with all the animals on Manor Farm to express his ideas about their life on the farm. He speaks of the difficulties of their lives under Farmer Jones’ and mans’ rule. He reveals his dream of a future rebellion against man and teaches the animals a song called “Beasts of England,” describing life where animals are all equal.
“Mr Jones…was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes.” (p1) – setting up the characterisation of Mr Jones as an uncaring, selfish owner of the farm.
“No animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery...” (Old Major, p4) – inspirational speech told by the pig, using emotional and persuasive language
“…among us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle. All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.” (Old Major, p6) – setting up the failure of his dream through irony, perfection is impossible.
Beasts of England song p8 – the animals idealistic views
Repetition of “comrades” – promoting unity
The ruling Emperor of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II was highly unpopular with the working-class society (majority of Russian population). The people were grieved by the poor living conditions, low wages, and shortage of food. They needed some sign of hope for new leadership. Karl Marx, a prominent German writer wrote the paper entitled “Manifesto of the Communist Party”, which proposed all people should be free and equal.
Farmer Jones = Tsar Nicholas II
Old Major = Karl Marx
Animals on farm = Russian citizens
Chapter Two: Revolution
After the death of old Major, the animals spend their days secretly planning the rebellion, although they are unsure when it will occur. Because of their intelligence, the pigs are placed in charge of educating the animals about Animalism, the name they give to the philosophy expounded by Major in Chapter 1. Among the pigs, Snowball and Napoleon are the most important to the revolution.
“Animalism “ The animals way of explain communism
The character of Mollie shows how the young generation acted.
“The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then gone out rabbiting, without bothering to feed the animals” Again showing the carelessness of the farmers towards the animals and the farm.
“For the first few minutes the animals could not believe their good fortune. Their first act was to gallop.” Showing the excitement for animals has their Rebellion was a success.
“Ribbons’ he said ‘should be considered as clothes, which are the mark of a human being. Showing that want nothing to do with the humans.
“Barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick.” They kicked the scullery of beer away because they wanted no traces left of Mr. Jones and he was an alcoholic.
“All animals are equal” Foreshadowing and irony because in the next few chapters this rule is disregarded.
“Never mind the milk comrades! That will be atten...
