English 2.0 Flashcards
Animal Farm (20 cards)
What is the significance of the opening line: ‘Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-house for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes’?
It establishes Mr. Jones’s neglect and foreshadows the revolution, symbolizing the fall of Tsar Nicholas II.
What does ‘All animals are equal’ represent in the context of Animal Farm?
It symbolizes the original ideals of the revolution, later corrupted into a tool of oppression (‘…but some animals are more equal than others’).
How is Napoleon an allegory for a historical figure?
Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin, symbolizing the corruption of revolutionary ideals through authoritarian control.
How does the quote ‘Four legs good, two legs bad’ function in the story?
It simplifies complex ideology into propaganda to control the animals and suppress independent thought.
What is the role of Squealer in the pigs’ leadership?
Squealer represents propaganda, manipulating truth to justify the pigs’ actions and keep the other animals obedient.
What historical event does the Battle of the Cowshed allegorize?
It represents the Russian Civil War, where the Bolsheviks defended the revolution against internal and external enemies.
What theme is emphasized by the pigs’ gradual adoption of human habits?
The theme of corruption of ideals, showing how power transforms the pigs into the very oppressors they overthrew.
How does Orwell use the character Boxer to represent the working class?
Boxer’s mottos ‘I will work harder’ and ‘Napoleon is always right’ show blind loyalty and exploitation of the proletariat.
How is the changing of the Seven Commandments significant?
It shows the manipulation of laws and truth by those in power to suit their needs, echoing totalitarian regimes.
What is satire, and how does Orwell use it in Animal Farm?
Satire uses irony or ridicule to expose faults. Orwell satirizes Soviet communism through the hypocrisy and corruption of the pigs.
Why is the song ‘Beasts of England’ important in Chapters 1-4?
It serves as a unifying revolutionary anthem symbolizing hope, later banned to suppress dissent.
What role does education (literacy) play in the power structure on Animal Farm?
The pigs’ literacy gives them control over information and the ability to manipulate the less educated animals.
What does the execution of the hens represent allegorically?
It represents Stalin’s Great Purge and the brutal repression of dissent within the Soviet Union.
What essay structure can you use to respond to a theme question in Animal Farm?
Intro with thesis, context paragraph, 2–3 analytical body paragraphs with quotes, and a strong conclusion revisiting the main argument.
Why is Snowball driven off the farm, and what does this reflect in history?
Snowball represents Trotsky, exiled by Stalin (Napoleon) during the power struggle after the Russian Revolution.
What does the quote ‘No animal shall sleep in a bed’ becoming ‘No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets’ illustrate?
The manipulation of rules and truth to justify the leadership’s luxuries—satirizing authoritarian hypocrisy.
What does the windmill represent in Chapters 1–4?
Initially, it symbolizes progress and shared labor; later, it is a political tool used by Napoleon to consolidate power.
How do the neighboring farms, Foxwood and Pinchfield, function allegorically?
They represent the UK/US (Foxwood) and Nazi Germany (Pinchfield), reflecting shifting alliances in early Soviet foreign policy.
Why is Old Major’s speech pivotal in Chapter 1?
It sets the ideological foundation for the rebellion, echoing Marxist/Leninist ideas.
What role does fear play in maintaining control on Animal Farm?
Fear of violence, punishment, and the return of Jones keeps the animals submissive to Napoleon’s rule.
