ANIMAL FARM

Question 1

Quote to initially describe Snowball
Themes
-education and critical thinking

Answer 1

‘quicker in speech and more inventive’
-conveys Snowball’s intelligence and persuasive abilities
-The use of the adjective “quicker” suggests that Snowball is able to articulate his thoughts quickly and efficiently, which is an important quality for a leader
-the adjective “inventive” implies that Snowball has a creative mind and can come up with original ideas to improve the farm’s operations
-it contrasts with the weaknesses of the other animals on the farm
-foreshadows his eventual role as a major figure

Question 2

Quote to show snowball as an orator
Themes
-Education and Critical Thinking

Answer 2

‘In glowing sentences he painted a picture of Animal Farm when sordid labour was lifted from their backs’
-shows desire for technology to improve the lives of the working animals, showing his intelligence as he plans ahead, understanding difficult concepts such as electricity
- The adjective ‘glowing’ suggests his visionary hopes for the future as something bright and full of hope and shows him to be an articulate public speaker who is able to sway opinion
-the fact he ‘painted’ a picture suggests that he is an artist with words.
- Snowball’s eloquence contrasts with Napoleon’s reticence (dislike of public speaking)
-suggests that Snowball’s words are not only persuasive, but also inspiring and uplifting

Question 3

Quote to describe Napoleon at first
Themes
-power and corruption

Answer 3

‘a large rather fierce looking Berkshire Boar’
- convey a sense of power, dominance and even danger
-adjective “large” suggests that the boar is physically imposing and powerful which creates an image in the reader’s mind of a strong and authoritative animal
-“rather fierce-looking” reinforces this impression, as it implies that the boar has an intimidating presence
- “Berkshire”, is also significant as its a pig breed known for their power and strength which emphasis importance

Question 4

turning point said by napoleon
themes
-power and corruption
-manipulation
-inequality

Answer 4

‘Never mind the milk, comrades,’ cried Napoleon, placing himself in front of the buckets’
-Napoleon’s self-interest is evident
-meant this incident to be a turning point in the story, showing through the novel’s structure how the revolution is doomed from the beginning because of the ruthlessness of characters such as Napoleon
-irony in the way that Napoleon addresses the other animals with the title ‘comrades’ which implies solidarity even as he plans to betray them

Question 5

Quote to show Snowballs bravery
power and control

Answer 5

‘He himself dashed straight for Jones. Jones saw him coming, raised his gun, and fired. The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball’s back’
-This shows that he is a selfless and dedicated leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his community as he had no thought for his own safety, running straight for Jones and injuring himself in the process
- the use of violent imagery in the quote emphasizes the brutality of the conflict between the animals and humans. The “bloody streaks” along Snowball’s back suggest a physical and painful attack, highlighting the gruesome consequences of the ongoing struggle for power and control

Question 6

what could squealer do?
manipulation
inequality
power

Answer 6

’ turn black into white’
- it uses a comparison between two contrasting colors to illustrate and refer to the propaganda technique of manipulating language and information to twist the truth and create a false narrative which he uses this phrase to justify the pigs’ actions and to convince the other animals that everything they are doing is for their own benefit
-that in a totalitarian society, those in power can control the narrative to maintain their authority, even if it means distorting the truth

Question 7

repeated phrase said by squealer
manipulation

Answer 7

“Surely, comrades, you don’t want Jones back?”
-This quote is a powerful rhetorical device used by Squealer throughout the novella to persuade the other animals to support the leadership of Napoleon and the pigs. as it invokes the memory of Mr. Jones so he appeals to the animals’ fear of returning to the old days of oppression and exploitation.
- The use of the word “surely” also implies that the answer is obvious and that the animals would be foolish to even consider going back to the old ways which silences them even more

Question 8

changing of final commandment
Social Class and Inequality
power
human nature

Answer 8

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
-encapsulates the central irony of the novel
- “all animals are equal” seems to be a noble and idealistic principle that embodies the utopian vision of animal equality and liberation. However, the second part of the quote, “but some animals are more equal than others”, undermines this idealistic vision and reveals the pigs’ hypocrisy and their desire for power and privilege
-juxtaposition highlights the absurdity and contradictions of the pigs’ ideology

Question 9

what did all the animals work as?
inequality
power
exploitations

Answer 9

‘All that year the animals worked like slaves’
-reflects the harsh conditions and gruelling labor that the animals on the farm endured
-“worked like slaves” simile implies that the animals were forced to work excessively hard and were treated in a manner similar to that of slaves which highlights the theme of exploitation and oppression and creates images of forced labor and brutal treatment
-“all” emphasizes the length and intensity of the labor

Question 10

what did the pigs do
inequality
power and control
education

Answer 10

“The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership”
-the pigs do not contribute to the physical labor on the farm but instead, they hold positions of authority and manage the work done by the other animals
-they exempt themselves from their own laws simply because they are ‘intellectually superior’

Question 11

old major quote on humans
power and control
inequality
human nature

Answer 11

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.”
- powerful critique of human society and the ways in which humans exploit and dominate other animals for their own benefit. he argues that unlike animals, who provide food, labor, and companionship for one another, humans only take from the world without giving anything back. He also points out the irony that despite their relative weakness and inferiority to animals in terms of physical abilities, humans hold all the power and control.
-use of repetition in the phrase “he does not” emphasizes the negative qualities of humans and reinforces the contrast between humans and animals.
-listing solidifies his argument which makes it more memorable

Question 12

the life of an animal is…
power
inequality
human nature

Answer 12

“The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth”
-presents the harsh reality of animal life under human rule as one of “misery and slavery,” using strong and emotive language to convey the extent of their suffering
-“plain truth” emphasizes the starkness of the situation and suggests that there can be no denying the injustice of their situation

Question 13

the dogs murder animals
power
a bit of inequality

Answer 13

‘The dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess’
-depicts the brutal and tyrannical nature of Napoleon’s rule on Animal Farm. The violence and fear used to maintain control are highlighted as the dogs act without hesitation or mercy, enforcing Napoleon’s authority with deadly force
-use of language, such as “promptly tore their throats out” and “terrible voice,” creates a chilling and ominous atmosphere, underscoring the ruthless and unforgiving nature of Napoleon’s regime
-“Promptly tore their throats out” - The use of the adverb “promptly” emphasizes the dogs’ swift and efficient action, while the graphic and violent verb “tore” conveys the brutality and savagery of their attack

Question 14

after the murder what was the air heavy with
power
violence

Answer 14

‘he went on until there was a pile of corpses and…[the air] heavy with the smell of blood.’
-The use of the word “pile” creates an image of a large, disorganized collection of corpses, which emphasizes the brutality and chaos of the violence being described
-the metaphor “the air was heavy with the smell of blood” appeals to the sense of smell, which is a powerful way to evoke a visceral response in the reader
- “he went on” suggests that the killing was relentless and perhaps even unnecessary or excessive, which could be interpreted as a critique of those in power who abuse their authority and use violence to maintain control

Question 15

boxers naivety
lack of critical thinking
manipulation

Answer 15

“Napoleon is always right.”
-reflects the propaganda and brainwashing techniques used by the ruling pigs in Animal Farm to maintain their power and control over the other animals
-a loyal and hardworking horse, has been conditioned to blindly trust the authority of the pig Napoleon, who has usurped power and established a dictatorship on the farm
-language used in the quote is simple and declarative, emphasizing its repetitive and brainwashing effect that is has had on Boxer
-the dangers of blindly following authority without questioning it

Question 16

description of boxers work
human nature

Answer 16

‘his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration’
-highlight Boxer’s physical strength and hard work on the farm, which has earned him the admiration of his fellow animals. The word “great” emphasizes the enormity of his sides, suggesting that Boxer is a powerful and imposing figure
-“matted with sweat” creates a vivid and tactile image of Boxer’s physical exertion and may suggest that he has been working hard for a long period of time
-The fact that Boxer’s appearance is capable of inspiring admiration in others indicates that he is a respected and valued member of the community

Question 17

Benjamin quote
power
human nature

Answer 17

Donkeys live a long time. None of you have ever seen a dead donkey.”
- Benjamin has seen rebellions come and go in the past and he knows that the happiness they feel after the Rebellion will be short-lived. His comment that they have never seen a ‘dead donkey’ is a hint that he has seen similar events in the past and so he is not as excited as the other animals.

Question 18

scapegoat
manipulation
control

Answer 18

“Comrades, do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!”
-pivotal moment in the story of Animal Farm, as it marks the beginning of Napoleon’s campaign to demonize Snowball and consolidate his own power
-able to turn the other animals against him and make him into a scapegoat for all the problems on the farm
-creates a sense of fear and urgency among the animals, who begin to see Snowball as a dangerous figure who must be stopped at all costs
-shows the extent to the manipulation of the pigs on the animals

Question 19

boxer motto
critical thinking
control

Answer 19

‘I will work harder’
-simple and direct statement, reflecting Boxer’s limited vocabulary and lack of critical thinking but it carries a lot of meaning
-signature lines and reflects his unwavering commitment to the principles of the revolution
-While Boxer’s determination and work ethic are admirable, his unquestioning acceptance of the principles of the revolution and the authority of the pigs is problematic
- taught to follow blindly and to trust the pigs without question, which limits their ability to think critically and question the status quo

Question 20

what do the animals experience at the end of their lives ?
violence
power control
human nature

Answer 20

‘But no animal escapes the cruel knife in the end’
- harsh realities of life on the farm
-“escapes” implies that the animals are trying to avoid or evade the violence, but Old Major is saying that it is inevitable and inescapable
-use of strong language and imagery, such as the word “cruel” and the phrase “in the end,” may have emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the urgency of the animals’ struggle for freedom. By acknowledging the harsh realities of oppression and violence, Old Major may have inspired the animals to take action and fight for their rights

Question 21

first look at pigs being humans in terms of dog
power

Answer 21

‘wagged their tails to him (Napoleon) in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr Jones’
-highlights the irony of the animals becoming just as oppressive as the humans they overthrew
- the power dynamic on the farm has shifted from humans to pigs, and that the pigs are becoming just as corrupt as the humans were
-foreshadows how at the end the pigs adopt many aspects of human behaviour

Question 22

end line of looking at pigs and humans
power
human nature
change

Answer 22

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
- The animals had initially overthrown the humans to establish a society based on equality and justice, but the pigs, led by Napoleon, gradually seized power and became tyrants themselves
-Paradox: The statement “already it was impossible to say which was which” is a paradox, as the pigs and humans are fundamentally different yet have become so alike in their behavior and values that they are indistinguishable.
-Irony: The quote is ironic because it highlights the failure of the animal revolution and the betrayal of the original ideals of equality and justice.

Question 23

mantra of napoleon
manipulation
lack of critical thinking

Answer 23

“Napoleon is always right.”
- chanted by the sheep as a mantra to reinforce Napoleon’s authority and leadership on the farm
-represents the dangers of blindly following a leader without questioning their decisions or actions. By accepting Napoleon’s word as gospel, the sheep and other animals relinquish their own agency and critical thinking abilities, allowing Napoleon to consolidate power and manipulate them for his own gain
-language used in the quote is simple and declarative, emphasizing its repetitive and brainwashing effect

Question 24

Boxer quote

Answer 24

‘Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer, whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together.’
-highlights the importance of Boxer, a powerful horse, to the success of the animal revolution. The use of hyperbole in the phrase “whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together” emphasizes Boxer’s immense physical strength and his crucial role in achieving the animals’ goals
-“Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer” is a powerful testament to Boxer’s contributions and underscores the idea that the animals would not have been able to overthrow their human oppressors without his help

Question 25

the farm went richer but the animals didnt
power
inequality
nature

Answer 25

‘Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer – except, of course,for the pigs and the dogs.’
-the growing inequality on the farm as While the farm as a whole may have become more prosperous, the animals themselves have not seen any improvement in their own lives, except for the pigs and dogs who have assumed positions of power and privilege. This quote illustrates the central theme of the book, which is the corruption of power and the dangers of totalitarianism.