Chapter Checks Directions: Complete each box for each chapter.

Summary Retell, in your own words, the main plot points and important details of the chapter. Your summary should not be
more than about one paragraph. Be sure to include setting, major characters, conflicts, and major action.
Connect, In this space you can do any of the following options. Should be a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences).
Reflect, a. Connect: write down anything that you find familiar. This could be a situation you have experienced, a character that
Predict reminds you of someone, or an event that is similar to something you have already read.
b. Reflect: write down any quotes, sayings, or moments that affect in you in some way. Are there themes you
recognize? What is your reaction to the story so far and why?
Predict: what do you think will happen next in the story?

Chapter 1
Summary The beginning of Animal Farm finds us quite predictably on a farm of animals, who have all
gathered for a speech given by a trusted and revered old pig, Major. He tells of a dream he had
where all the animals of the farm were independent and free from the cruelty of man, which he
says is the source of all their problems. Major then sows the seeds of a revolution for the farm,
laying down the commandments of camaraderie among all animals and united enmity toward
man, as well as a introducing a song, solidifying the beginning of a movement.
Connect, I have not read Animal Farm before, but because it is a classic it's quite hard to avoid the plot,
Reflect, so I do know vaguely what is going to happen and the parallels it is meant to draw. I can
Predict definitely see those parallels to communism and Soviet Russia. I thought Major's speech on
how humans produce nothing was quite interesting, because in a way it is very true, yet
humans do also produce things like technology, but not in a natural way like cow's milk or
sheep wool. I'm sure that after Major dies, everything will be good for a time, but soon an
animal will want more power than they have and will end up becoming like man, the thing they
are against the most.

Questions

1. What is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major? What might
this arrangement say about future meetings or events?

It's reminiscent of political meeting or rally, in which a leader of a society speaks to their citizens. All of
the animals put Major above themselves, as a leader. Future meetings will likely function the same,
though without Major, there may be a struggle to keep order.

2. According to Major, what is the cause of all the animals’ problems?

Mankind.

3. What motto does Major give the animals to live by?

All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.

4. What are the rules (commandments) Major gives the animals?

You must fight against man and all his ways, including clothing, living in houses, sleeping in beds,
drinking alcohol, smoking, and walking upright. Any animal that walks on four legs or has wings is a
comrade and comrades do not kill or fight one and other.

5. Do you think all the animals will follow the rules?

In the beginning, maybe but there is bound to be a power struggle eventually.

6. Look at the song “Beasts of England.”
a. What is the mood of the song?
b. What are some of the images in the song?
c. Why do you think the animals liked the song so much?
d. Why are songs a good way to communicate ideas and encourage support? Do we have any
revolutionary songs in our culture?

A) It is triumphant and prophetic.

B) It is full of glorified, idealized images of all the things an animal could desire. Food, freedom,
independence.
C) Well, many of the animals are described as being very dumb, so I suppose the simple rhyme
structure could be very appealing to them. Most of all I think the grand imagery portrayed in the song
really attracted them.
D) Quite often, songs are catchy, have a very memorable tune, and are recognized by all members of a
movement, so even strangers can join in singing the same ideas which fosters a feeling of unity and
encouragement. America has dozens and dozens of patriotic songs, most notably The Star Spangled
Banner.

Chapter 2

Summary In this chapter, Major has died and two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, are rising to power in his
place. The pigs lead in a revolution triggered by the farm's neglect by the farmer and his
workers, who lazily forget to feed the animals several times. They are driven from the farm and
the animals take over. Having learned to read and write, the pigs change the farm's name to
Animal Farm and lay down the commandments that all animals must follow, as dictated by the
ideology they had formed called “Animalism”.
Connect, It's pretty obvious that Animalism is an allusion to Communism, so I don't think it;d be much of
Reflect, a stretch to predict that, like the Soviet Union, the pigs will desire more and more power, the
Predict animals will become more and more unhappy, and the system will collapse. Despite the fact
that I'm pretty sure I know where this is going, I am quite enjoying the book so far. I think it
does a fantastic job of showing the problems with such a system in a way that lowers the
complexity to mere animals.

Questions

1. After Major’s death what happens to the idea of rebelling against man?

It becomes greater. Pigs step in Major's place and try to grow the sentiment of revolution.

2. Why don’t the pigs like the pet raven Moses’ stories about Sugarcandy Mountain?

It gives the animals unrealistic dreams that glorify human ways when the should focus on achieving
things before their death.

3. Think about the events that began the Revolution - Jones’ mismanagement of the farm, hungry cows,
violence by the human beings - as well as all the thinking, teaching, planning, and organizing that the pigs
did. In your opinion would it have been possible for the Revolution to have happened without Animalism?

No, I don't think it would have happened, at least to the extent it did. The pigs wanted this to happen, so
they took advantage of the mismanagement to organize and motivate some otherwise disorganized
and unmotivated animals.
4. The words Orwell uses to describe the morning after the revolution are very descriptive. What sort of
words and images does he use? What does he want us to think about the farm? When the humans have
been chased from the farm, what do the animals do? What do they do about the farmhouse?

He describes things as clear and bright and new. He wants us to think about how much better things
are now that the humans are gone. The animals begin to reclaim control over everything, including the
normal functions of the farm, however they decide the farmhouse must be preserved, as it is incredibly
human.

5. The pigs begin to slowly take more control than the others. Can you find some examples of this in
Chapter II? How does the behavior of the pigs foreshadow their eventual leadership positions?

After the death of Major, they instantly assume the role of leaders, declaring what will happen. They
rallied for a revolution, they lead the harvest, and they decide what will happen to the cow's milk. The
last line of the chapter where the milk disappears is pretty clear foreshadowing of their developing
power. Rather than using the milk for the good of the farm, it's heavily hinted that they keep it for
themselves.

6. The animals change the name of the farm from Manor Farm to Animal Farm. Why is this important?
What does changing a name do for ideas, behavior, power, etc.? Can you think of any examples in the real
world?

Rejecting the farm's previous name also symbolizes the rejection of the previous ideas and way of life.
The new name is something the animals can unite under. It shows a shift in power from the people to
the animals. Names hold significance much like this in the real world. This also happened in Russia
when it became the Soviet Union.