Animal Farm by George Orwell Name ______
Summer Reading Assignment for Advanced Sophomore English: 2014/2015 School Year
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Students will be able to do the following:
1. Use reading strategies to understand complex texts, analyze the plot of a novel, and trace a theme as it develops in the novel.
2. Analyze how characters develop through interactions and how they develop over the course of a text, thus advancing the plot and contributing to theme.
3. Recognize the use of satire and allegory in a work of literary fiction aimed at criticizing historical figures, events, etc.
4. Analyze an author's organization of events and an author's choice of structure to create effects like suspense and tension.
Background: Historical and Literary Context
George Orwell said, “Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear.” In his books Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell “conjured visions of modern government’s dangerous power.” Due to Orwell’s reputation as an “outsider” standing apart from others, his writing also demonstrated his desire to oppose the crowd. Orwell’s political beliefs were inspired by his military experiences while fighting in the Spanish Civil War. In his opinion, communists, socialists, and fascists were both self-serving and repressive. Even though Orwell supported England during WWII, he “remained skeptical of governments and their willingness to forsake ideals in favor of power.” In Animal Farm, Orwell criticizes the Soviet Union even though it had a role in winning WWII for the allies. Orwell’s inspiration for writing Animal Farm came to him when he witnessed a child whipping a horse:
It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we
should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the
same way as the rich exploit the worker.
“Animal Farm tells the story of Farmer Jones’s animals who rise up in rebellion and take over the farm. Tired of being exploited solely for human gain, the animals – who have human characteristics such as the power of speech – vow to create a new and more just society.” The novel is a satire whose message focuses on world politics, especially those of the former Soviet Union. A satire attacks an issue that is considered very serious by presenting that issue in a ridiculous way or by poking fun at it. “Orwell uses satire to expose what he saw as the myth of Soviet socialism.” The story’s characters can easily be matched with much detail to historical persons. Animal Farm was Orwell’s first attempt to consciously blend both artistic and political goals. His final published novel, 1984, “continued that effort with a grim portrayal of a world totally under government control.” Animal Farm “is a commentary on the relevance of independent thought, truth, and justice.” In addition to being a satire, the novel is also an allegory, a story that can easily be read and understood on more than only one level. Most likely, the story is an allegory of the Russian Revolution. Orwell believed that the ideals of societies that practiced socialism, capitalism, communism, and fascism conflicted with what society should be based upon, specifically common sense and human decency. He believed that people should have the freedom to choose their life’s work, love their family, and tolerate others while practicing individuality, honesty, and society’s welfare.
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 1-4
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, including notes about their satirical representations. Write your notes under each character’s name by noting details that describe each character or by listing key actions.
Farmer Jones symbolizes Czar Nicholas II (also spelled Tsar).Old Major is a composite of two historical figures: Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx.
Napoleon symbolizes Joseph Stalin.
Snowball symbolizes Leon Trotsky.
Squealer symbolizes the propaganda chief of Stalin’s government news agency.
Boxer symbolizes the typical loyal proletariat.
The dogs symbolize Stalin’s secret police.
Mr. Frederick symbolizes Adolf Hitler.
Mr. Pilkington symbolizes Great Britain and Winston Churchill.
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 1-4
Strategic Reading Questions: Answer the following questions in the spaces provided. Cite page numbers whenever possible for textual evidence.
1. What are the commandments Major gives the animals? Think of a way each one of them could be considered a vice.
2. Describe how the Rebellion takes place. How does the animals’ behavior during the Rebellion suggest both human and animal characteristics?
3. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow’s milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur? What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?
4. What further examples of the difference between the pigs and the other animals occur in these chapters?
5. How does the original vision of Animalism become the slogan “Four legs good, two legs bad”? In your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs use?
6. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the appropriate reaction to have during a revolution? Why or why not?
7. How is Squealer able to convince the other animals to accept whatever Napoleon decides?
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 5-7
Orwell’s characters and narrator use language to communicate hidden agendas. Sometimes Orwell hints that language should be carefully questioned, other times it’s up to the reader to notice. As you read Chapters 5 though 7, complete the chart below by filling in some examples of manipulative communication. Then state what you think the language really means.
The Words What They Really Mean
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 5-7
Strategic Reading Questions: Answer the following questions in the spaces provided. Cite page numbers whenever possible for textual evidence.
1. Explain the windmill controversy from Snowball’s point of view. Explain the windmill controversy from Napoleon’s point of view. How is the windmill destroyed? Why does Napoleon blame Snowball? What happens to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in Soviet history does this scene suggest?
2. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership? Why does Napoleon revive the threat of the farm being sabotaged by Snowball when other things go wrong?
3. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals about their role in a future society? Offer an explanation for why the animals confess to being traitors. Support your explanation with logical reasoning.
4. How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon’s leadership to its exploited state under Farmer Jones’s rule? What attitude about totalitarian government do you think Orwell conveys?
5. Why does Napoleon order the animals to stop singing “Beasts of England?”
6. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled – like the pigs in Animal Farm – have more influence in decision making? Consider how decisions are made in your community, state, or in the nation.
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 8-10
As Napoleon takes over leadership of the farm, a new social and political structure emerges. This restructuring leads to many changes in power and privilege among the animals. As you read, use the diagram below to record and compare the living conditions of the pigs with the living conditions of the other animals.
Under Napoleon’s Leadership
Life for the Pigs Life for Other Animals
Active Reading: Animal Farm, Chapters 8-10
Strategic Reading Questions: Answer the following in the spaces provided. Cite page numbers whenever possible for textual evidence.
1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?
2. What makes the battle against Frederick’s men different from the Battle of the Cowshed? Why do the men blow up the windmill? The animals celebrate a victory, but at what cost?
3. 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?
4. What are the living conditions like for all of the animals except the pigs and dogs?
5. Why does Napoleon allow Moses to return and to tell his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain?
6. 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?
7. In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of progress? Explain.
8. What changes have the years brought to the farm? How do the animals now feel about their social order, their farm? What drastic actions do the pigs use to shatter the animals’ complacency?
9. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human political leaders are interchangeable. How might power change those who have it? Explain.
10. How does Orwell make fun of bureaucracy?
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