Smarr Publishers. English for Classical Studies. A Student s Companion to. Animal Farm. by Robert W. Watson

Smarr Publishers English for Classical Studies A Student’s Companion to Animal Farm by Robert W. Watson Copyright © Watson Educational Services, In...
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Smarr Publishers English for Classical Studies

A Student’s Companion to

Animal Farm by Robert W. Watson

Copyright © Watson Educational Services, Inc., 2007 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, please write Smarr Publishers, 4917 High Falls Road—Suite 201, Jackson, Georgia 30233 or call (678) 774–8374.

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Introduction to Animal Farm When George Orwell (a.k.a. Eric Blair) wrote Animal Farm, the world was catching its breath after several years of war. The novella is a fable in the sense that animals in the book talk and act as though they are human beings. Like Aesop, Orwell was able to pack a lot of meaning into his story. All commentators explain that the central purpose of Animal Farm is to critique the failure of the Soviet state. Even though he castigates the Soviet version of socialism, Orwell is an argent socialist himself, who believes that the socialism in the Soviet Union was a corruption of Marxist ideals. However, Orwell still believed that socialism was still the answer to the world’s problems of misery and oppression. Yet, even though Orwell did not intend it, Animal Farm is not just a condemnation of the Soviet system of socialism, or even of totalitarianism in its fascist, capitalist, or mercantilist manifestations. After all, these systems are not forms of civil government, but rather economic systems. What Animal Farm demonstrates is the failure of the political entity called the state. The state as a civil government is unable to offer or to maintain liberty, because the interests of the state are counter to the interests of liberty. As Animal Farm will demonstrate, the state is a criminal enterprise. It makes no difference whether the state is “totalitarian” or “democratic.” One state may be a little less criminal than another state, but any state will become despotic and oppressive if it is given the power to do so. The animals in Animal Farm willingly give more power to the pigs (the elite on Animal Farm), and soon they find themselves in worse conditions than before their “glorious revolution.” One lesson never learned is when citizens give power to the state to do something for them, they give power to the state to do something to them as well. Regarding our own history, most of the founding fathers did not trust the state to be a friend of liberty. After all, the founders had just finished a protracted war with a despotic British state and most of these men had no desire to put themselves under another despot. Our founding fathers tried—but failed—to ensure no American state would ever be formed from the thirteen independent nations in North America. One of the most vocal of the opponents against the U.S. Constitution was Patrick Henry, who prophetically states that many prominent men of his day “…object to this government for its consolidating tendency. This is not imaginary. It is a formidable reality. If consolidation proves to be as mischievous to this country as it has been to other countries, what will the poor inhabitants of this country do? This government will operate like an ambuscade. It will destroy the state governments, and swallow the liberties of the people, without giving them previous notice.” Unfortunately, Patrick Henry was absolutely correct. Unprincipled men began from the beginning to test the bounds of the Constitution, and the flaws became evident as industrialists and bankers in New England gained control of the Northern political machines and used their money to weaken the Constitutional intent. Today, the political reality of the United States of America is that there is only one state—the American state. The so-called states like Georgia or New York are not truly states, but rather are administrative units of the consolidated American state. While George Orwell may have had

2 / Animal Farm the Soviet Union in mind, Animal Farm is also a concise history of the United States starting with liberty (War of Independence), to the consolidation of power (under John Marshall, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln), to the mass executions of those who would not submit to the state (conquest of the Confederate States of America, the plains Indians, and the Filipinos), and ending with its final despotism (twentieth century). Instead of being slaves to the state, to the banks, and to the international corporations, perhaps it is time for Americans to try liberty again. ROBERT W. WATSON

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Animal Farm Lesson One 1.1 Vocabulary preliminary adj. vivacious adj. elaborate v. expound v. 1.2 Vocabulary Recognition 1. Snowball was a more _______________ pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive. 2. And then, after a few _______________ tries, the whole farm burst out into Beasts of England in tremendous unison. 3. [The pigs] held secret meetings in the barn and _____________(ed) the principles of Animalism to the [other animals]. 4. [Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer] had _________________(d) old Major’s teachings into a complete system of thought, to which they gave the name of Animalism. 1.3 Reading Assignment: Animal Farm, chapters 1–2 1.4 Recall Questions 1. Why were the animals willing to lose an hour of sleep in order to come to a meeting? 2. According to Major, what was the nature of the animals’ lives? 3. What is the reason Major gives for the animals’ continuing to live in their miserable condition? 4. What is the only creature that consumes without producing. 5. What is the name of the song that Major remembered in a dream? 6. On the farm, who were considered the most clever of animals and upon whom the task was given to teach about and to organize for the coming revolution? 7. Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer reduced the ideas of Major into a philosophy, which they called what? 8. What does Moses the raven represent, and what is his Sugarcandy Mountain is a symbol for?

4 / Animal Farm 9. What was the incident that began the rebellion on the farm? 10. Regarding the house, what resolution was passed? 11. When the animals returned from the hayfield, what was missing? 1.5 Critical Thinking  How does the song “Beasts of England” serve as propaganda? Why is propaganda a useful tool of the state for social control? Discuss.  Consider Major and his doctrine of rebellion. You perhaps noticed that Major did not have “a miserable life.” Indeed, the old pig admits that he was “lucky.” Is Major a hypocrite, who plants the seeds of rebellion after he had a good, long life and knows that he will not suffer from the consequences of casting aside the established social, political, and economic order? What was his motive for sowing his seeds of discontent? What does the Bible teach about “contentment”? Discuss.  What are some of the traits of the “common” animals, and how does their naivete play into the hands of the leaders of the revolution? How is the “common” working class used by the American state today? Discuss. 1.6 Bonus Thoughts  Rebellion verses Resistance: Important for understanding a Biblical response to tyranny is knowing the difference between rebellion and resistance. In Proverbs 17:11, you will find rebellion is an evil act: “An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.” Indeed, nowhere in the Bible will you find rebellion tolerated at all. The Lord God considers rebellion to be the same as witchcraft, which is a capital offense under the law of God in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 15:23 and Exodus 22:18). On the other hand, resistance to evil is honorable. The Christian is commanded to resist the Devil, the father of all lies. The early Christians never rebelled against civil governments, but they did resist the evil in them, even as early as Acts chapter 4 when Peter and the apostles were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. God has established limits on civil government, whose only authority is to maintain justice (Romans 13:1–6). Being the guardian of justice is the sole purpose of civil government. However, whenever civil government exceeds or ignores its proper limitations and becomes the champion of evil—in other words, a criminal enterprise—then no one is obligated to obey its laws. Nevertheless, even resistance to evil may have some unpleasant consequences, particularly when resisting criminals.

 Status quo: The American Declaration of Independence recognized the importance of maintaining the status quo. Indeed, even if the injustices of a civil government are egregious, these abuses of power may not be enough to establish another government. The Declaration states in part, “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” In other words, the status quo, or the way things are at the moment, enjoys the presumption, and therefore should not be replaced unless there is something better to replace the way things are. This

Animal Farm / 5 presumption is not an acknowledgement that the status quo is right or even moral. However, the presumption does mean that the way things are currently occupy the ground and must stand until the status quo becomes so deficient as to allow something else to take its place. The problem with rebellion is it is fostered by discontent, and this discontent fails to give rise to a plan that will be better than the status quo. You will note that while the animals changed the status quo with violence, they possessed no plan that was better than the rule under Mr. Jones. The status quo may indeed require changing, but we must be sure that we have something to take its place that will be better that the way things are.  State verses Nation: A recurring principle in the Bible is God creates nations, while evil men create states (or empires). In addition to this, God always divide nations by language and custom, while evil men always consolidate nations by force. The state is a man-made contrivance which uses coercion and intimidation to ensure obedience to its will. On the other hand, a nation is a people who share a common culture and history, and generally order their affairs through co-operative efforts, because the people have a commonality of purpose. .

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Animal Farm Lesson Two 2.1 Vocabulary dole v. parasitical adj. indefatigable adj. fortnight n. 2.2 Vocabulary Recognition 1. Regarding his organizing various Animal committees, Snowball showed himself to be ______________, working tirelessly. 2. Every mouthful of food was an acute positive pleasure, now that it was truly their own food, produced by themselves and for themselves, not ______________(d) out to them by a grudging master. 3. The neighboring farmers laughed at the idea of animals working a farm and believed the whole affair would end shortly within a ______________, or no better than half a month. 4. With the worthless _________________ human beings gone, there was more for everyone to eat. 2.3 Reading Assignment: Animal Farm, chapters 3–4 2.4 Recall Questions 1. Due to their “superior” knowledge, who assumed the leadership role at Animal Farm? 2. What was Boxer’s personal motto? 3. While the animals understood how to vote, only the pigs were “clever” enough to present what? 4. While Benjamin was able to read well, why did he not read often? 5. Since so many of the animals were unable to memorize the Seven Commandments, what maxim did Snowball create, which embodied the essential principle of Animalism? 6. What explanation did Squealer give for the reason why the milk and apples had to be reserved for the pigs? 7. Why were the pigeons in the “wildest excitement” on one October day? 8. Which of the animals fled from battle in order to hide after Jones fired his pistol?

Animal Farm / 7 9. What award did the sheep that died in the battle receive? 10. What did the animals do with the pistol that was abandoned by Jones? 2.5 Critical Thinking  As consolidation of power begins under the pigs, what “rituals” appear? What is the purpose of these rituals? What rituals are used by the American state and what are their purposes?  What early indications appear in today’s readings that a class structure was beginning to emerge in this so-called “equal” society? What traits in the animals determine what class they will belong? Is there a way to avoid class structures in any society? Discuss.  Explain why different and often antagonistic classes in a society will unite in a war against a common “enemy.” Is this the reason for the fondness of the elite in a state to constantly have wars?  What was the motive of the farmers to attack Animal Farm? Was the motive a noble one? Is capitalist totalitarianism any different than socialist or communist totalitarianism? Discuss. 2.6 Bonus Thoughts  Origin of the State: Textbooks about political science suggest that states arise for a social purpose. The theory usually supposes the world to be filled completely with murderers and thieves, who will stop at nothing to kill and to loot. Thus, there is constant warfare of individuals defending their property and lives. With this being the condition of the world, an individual is unable to grow a garden or to conduct business, because he is expending all of

Leon Trotsky (1879–1940)

Joseph Stalin (1878–1953)

8 / Animal Farm his wit and resources in defending himself. Therefore, society’s solution is to appoint a king who will be responsible to defend the individual, so long as the individual gives up his power of self-defense and pays a fee, called taxes. However, this social-purpose theory of the creation of the state is nonsense. History shows that all states are born out of conquest, bloodshed and theft. Generally, a small province will conquer a neighboring province, and then other. During the conquests, many people are killed and lands are taken for the benefit of the conqueror. Therefore, all states, whether totalitarian or democratic, are conceived in criminal intent. As for our own history, the American experiment of a “Republic of republics” died on Northern and Southern battlefields from 1861 through 1865. The result of the conquest of the Southern nation and of the deaths of over one-million men, women, and children was the replacing of the American constitutional republic with the American state, baptized in blood and enriched by theft.  Education and the State: We have heard so often, thanks to politicians and journalists, that the ills of society can be cured with more education. According to the pundits, with a little more education, our social problems will be wondrously eradicated. As the universal panacea, more education has become fixed in the American psyche and is a maxim of unquestionably validity. In fact, the doctrine of more education as a tenet of faith has allowed politicians to deceive the simple, to plunder the citizens’ wealth, and to coerce the “unenlightened.” Implicit in more education is the notion of reform. If the state can reform its citizens by instilling good habits through enough “education,” as Plato suggests, then the just state will emerge. However, call it whatever you wish, this reforming of citizens for the purpose and betterment of the state fails to be education. In his essay “Education, Past and Present,” John Gould Fletcher gets to the heart of the matter by stating, “All that education can do in any case is to teach us to make good use of what we are; if we are nothing to begin with, no amount of education can do us any good.” In other words, a scoundrel, whether he is an illiterate pickpocket or a U.S. president with a Ph.D. from Yale, is still a scoundrel. While this is true, Fletcher seems to think moral worth and genius are innate. On the other hand, character and genius arguably are the result of one’s earliest education that is received from parents or guardians. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that parents cultivate the rudiments of moral character, religious faith, and reading early in their children’s lives. The central lesson that children must learn is that they are to love their God with their heart, soul, mind, and body, and this love for God will be evinced by loving their neighbors. This responsibility belongs solely, not to government, not to the church, but to parents, who should set the example for their children.

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Animal Farm Lesson Three 3.1 Vocabulary blithe adj. restive adj. sordid adj. ignominious adj. 3.2 Vocabulary Recognition 1. In glowing sentences [Snowball] painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when ___________ labor was lifted from the animals’ backs. 2. One day as Mollie strolled _________(ly) into the yard, flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay, Clover took her aside. 3. Napoleon finally accuses Snowball for all of the failures on Animal Farm and explains that the expelled pig was getting revenge for his ________________ expulsion. 4. [The farmers] had all the more reason for doing so because the news of their defeat had spread across the countryside and made the animals on the neighboring farms more __________ than ever. 3.3 Reading Assignment: Animal Farm, chapters 5–6 3.4 Recall Questions 1. Who finally deserts Animal Farm? 2. Animal Farm soon divided into factions being lead by either Snowball or Napoleon. Whose faction was able to garner the support of the sheep? 3. The factions divided over the need for a windmill. While one side favored a windmill, what did the other faction believe to be the most important task at the moment? 4. What caused Snowball to run away? 5. According to Napoleon, the Sunday meetings with debates were unnecessary, and what would take place of the meetings? 6. In addition to the pistol in front of the flagpole, what else was mounted in this location? 7. What project commenced in chapter six which took all of the animals by surprise? 8. Since there were some items that could not be made at Animal Farm, Napoleon announced to the assembly that he decided to do what?

10 / Animal Farm 9. When Clover went to read the Fourth Commandment, how was it changed? 10. After the storm, the animals discovered the windmill had been destroyed. Whom does Napoleon blame for the windmill’s destruction? 3.5 Critical Thinking  Consider Napoleon’s constant, negative criticism to the plans of Snowball. Should criticism be withheld unless one has another way of accomplishing the task? Why is it easier to find fault with plans rather than thinking of ways to make the plan work? Discuss.  Explain how the dogs demonstrate that not all animals are no longer equal.  If you are coerced to do something, is it a voluntary act, like losing half your rations if you do not “volunteer”? How does the American state coerce its citizens to do things against their will? Discuss.  Why are people so easily convinced to accept the “official” reason why the state does anything? Does this acceptance have any thing to do with a “public” education? Discuss. 3.6 Bonus Thoughts  Criminality of the state: The rebellion by the animals in Animal Farm shows that all states are formed by conquest. Land and other resources were violently taken away from the owner. Clearly, violence and stealing are criminal acts, which are condemned by the Bible. Yet, as already pointed out previously, evil men are constantly trying to consolidate nations into a state in order to take more power from and to enslave individual human beings. Therefore, do not be surprised when the leaders of the American state engage in criminal acts under the guise of “law.” Indeed, because states are criminal organizations, born out of violence and theft, they will establish one set of rules for the citizens and establish another set of rules for the elite who control the state. If citizens are not to steal, then the state should not steal by calling it “taxation.” If citizens are not to kidnap anyone, then the state should not kidnap anyone by calling it “selective service.” If citizens are not to lie to the state, then the state should not lie to the citizens by calling it “national secuity.” If citizens are not to counterfeit money, then the state should not counterfeit money by calling it “monetary policy.” In reality, the sole concern of the elite is its survival and selfpreservation. The laws, armed forces, and courts are for the protections of the state, not for the citizens of the state. The state will do unimaginable acts of terror in the name of “patriotism” against its own citizens as shown in history, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. More people have died and suffered at the hands of their own central governments than by the hands of any “enemy.” In short, the state is a sociopath, exhibiting anti-social and aggressive behavior common to all criminals.  Industrialism: The construction of the windmill is significant as a symbol of Animal Farm’s attempt to “modernize” and “industrialize” itself. The animals divided on the issue of the windmill, because industrialization should have been a secondary concern to growing enough food. In 1930, thirteen essays written by well-known scholars, poets, and writers were combined into a volume called I’ll Take My Stand: The South and the Agrarian Tradition. The essayists pointed out that the conflict throughout American history was a war between the industrial way of life and the agrarian way of life. The former, or American way, stresses a constant need to be doing something, or progressing, which is the mark of

Animal Farm / 11 immaturity. Only children feel the need to be doing something all of the time. Human relationships are not important to industrialism. Control of nature is. In addition to this, man is redefined as merely a “resource,” an increasingly minor part in the overall equation of productive output. Personnel offices are now call departments of “human resources.” Also, recently leaders in the American state were arguing the need to have a draft in order to maintain the “inventory” of soldiers, an extremely callous and dehumanizing notion to be sure. On the other hand, the latter, or Southern or Agrarian way, emphasizes dependence on God and a development of human relationships, which in turn provide the material for a permanent culture. Man was intended to live the good life, a life free of stress and cooperating with nature, not working against it. While agriculture provides for such a life, the lure of the city with its empty promises offers only a poor diet, lack of exercise, and high stress accompanied by mental and physical health problems. The Agrarians (as they were later called) showed that the cities with their nomads, who never establish roots in a community, were parasites, feeding off the rural communities for resources and labor. Regarding Animal Farm, the animals were not suited for the industrialized life just like human beings are not. Yet the pigs begin to coerce the other animals through propaganda first, and threats second, to build a windmill that was supposedly to benefit everyone. As it turns out, the industrialization of the farm ends up benefiting only the pigs, the “elite” of Animal Farm. Frankly, having a windmill to make life more comfortable for the animals was not logical. However, the building of the windmill offers a good example of the infallible maxim, “when something doesn’t make sense, there’s a buck in it.”

Heage Windmill is one of few working windmills in England today.

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Animal Farm Lesson Four 4.1 Vocabulary thwart v. capitulate v. stupefy v. machination n. 4.2 Vocabulary Recognition 1. Led by three young Black Minorca pullets, the hens made a determined effort to ___________ Napoleon’s wishes. 2. The animals were ___________(ed). This [treason] was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball’s destruction of the windmill. 3. For five days the hens held out, then they _______________ (d) and went back to their nesting boxes. 4. In the late summer yet another of Snowball’s _______________(s) was laid bare. The wheat crop was full of weeds. 4.3 Reading Assignment: Animal Farm, chapters 7–8 4.4 Recall Questions 1. According to the outsiders, what was the reason for the failure of the windmill? 2. How was Mr. Whymper deceived to think the food bins on Animal Farm were full? 3. What order from Napoleon created a rebellion among the hens? 4. How does Squealer discredit Snowball at the battle of Cowshed? 5. What was the reason given for the prohibition of singing “Beasts of England”? 6. Upon completion of the mill, what name did Napoleon give it? 7. Even though Napoleon was “clever” to get cash instead of a check for lumber, what was learned about the £5 notes? 8. How was the completed windmill destroyed? 9. What did the pigs discover in the farmhouse, which made Napoleon sick for a couple days?

Animal Farm / 13 10. What was Squealer doing at midnight when all of the sudden his ladder broke, waking up the inhabitants of Animal Farm? 4.5 Critical Thinking  Consider the executions of the animals. Was society better after the executions? Were the crimes connected with treason? Is treason ever justified? If the animals were unhappy with the situation under Napoleon, were there any nonviolent remedies that they could have used? or was a counter-revolution too late? (Consider Squealer actually being caught changing the Commandments when considering your answer.) Discuss.  What should be the standard for determining what violations of the law will be capital offenses? Discuss.  Read the poem about Napoleon. How does the poem give divine attributes to Napoleon? Do these attributes also apply to the American state? In other words, has the American state usurped the place of God? If so, how? Discuss.  John Wayne in The Searchers states a man is good for only one allegiance in his lifetime, and he gave his allegiance to the Confederate States of America. To whom should a Christian owe his allegiance? Can an allegiance be divided between two masters? Discuss. 4.6 Bonus Thoughts  Manipulation of the masses: Napoleon Bonaparte uttered the well-known statement, “There are but two powers in the world, the sword and the mind. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the mind.” Sun Tsu in his book, The Art of War, stressed the importance of winning a war with little killing. Therefore, commanders of armies should use as much deception as possible. It is easier and less costly to get a victory when the opposing force thinks it is already defeated. In military terms, we call this deception of the mind “psychological operations” or “pys-ops” for short. When a state uses pys-ops on its own people, we call this “propaganda,” but the objectives are the same whether conducted by the military or by the state; that is, to deceive. The purpose of this deception is to change behavior of enemy armies, foreign states, or the subjects of the state. The control of information is very important. The truth is never to be found on the front pages of a newspaper. Only selected information is provided, and the use of this information is to serve the purposes of the state, not to have a “well-informed public.” In fact, if anything makes the newspapers, the issue must be a very trivial one, because the really serious issues are kept secret. The insiders of the state must always create a false reality exactly the way the pigs do when using misinformation and a reinterpreted history. However, there is a another way to control the masses. In Animal Farm, the pigs become ruthless, because they wish to keep their power over the other animals. Napoleon uses fear, which is the best manipulator. Since Animal Farm mirrors the Soviet experiment, the executions of the animals represent the “purges” instigated by Stalin. Stalin had many innocent people tortured until they confessed to supporting Trotsky just to stop the pain. Then Stalin had the victims executed, which caused everyone to be fearful of Stalin. In short, if an individual lives in fear, then he is not free. Unfortunately, the citizens of the United States have allowed the state to take away all of their liberties due to fear of being unemployed, of growing old, and of imagining a terrorist behind every bush.

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Animal Farm Lesson Five 5.1 Vocabulary morose adj. taciturn adj. frugal adj. incumbent adj. 5.2 Vocabulary Recognition 1. Napoleon had denounced such ideas as contrary to the spirit of Animalism. The truest happiness, he said, lay in the working hard and living _____________(ly). 2. Only old Benjamin was much the same as ever, except for being a little grayer about the muzzle, and, since Boxer’s death, more _________ and _________ than ever. 3.

[Before he gave a toast,] there were a few words that Mr. Pilkington felt it ______________ upon him to say.

5.3 Reading Assignment: Animal Farm, chapters 9–10 5.4 Recall Questions 1. Who was in charge of instructing the young pigs? 2. What did the pigs make with the barley? 3. In April, Animal Farm becomes what political entity? 4. Who returns to Animal Farm, preaching the glories of Sugarcandy Mountain? 5. After Boxer retires, what did the horse plan to do during his time of leisure? 6. Why were the animals upset when the “doctor” came to take Boxer away? 7. Instead of being used to generate electricity, what was the completed windmill used for? 8. According to Napoleon, what is the “truest happiness”? 9. What did Clover see that caused the rest of the animals to become excited? 10. What was the new chant that the sheep had learned from Squealer? 11. What single saying replaced the Seven Commandments?

Animal Farm / 15 12. What caused the quarrel between Napoleon and Pilkington while they were playing cards? 5.5 Critical Thinking  Squealer was able to convince the animals that they were free and not slaves. Was this true? What is slavery? What is freedom? Are citizens of the American state free or are they slaves according to your answers?  Why is the betrayal of Boxer by the state so tragic? While Boxer appeared to have no weaknesses, except perhaps his intelligence, did Boxer have a flaw regarding the revolutionary ideals being equated with the leadership of Snowball and Napoleon? Discuss.  If religion before the rebellion was wrong because it weakened the will to rebel, then why is Moses the raven allowed to return to Animal Farm? What is the nature of religion— revolutionary or conservative?  How is the class structure strengthen in today’s reading? Why do ruling classes abuse their power? Is revolution the only remedy to curb this lust for power? 5.6 Bonus Thoughts  Republicanism: Whenever a modern state calls itself a “republic,” chances are the designation is just a bunch of hogwash. You no doubt caught the irony of Animal Farm being called a republic, while the animals were oppressed, lied to, and exploited. Regarding the concept of republicanism, Noah Webster stated, “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers ‘just men who will rule in the fear of God.’…If a Republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.” In theory, under a republic, good people will elect good leaders to rule over them. However, like the animals on Animal Farm, the citizens of a state (even when called a republic) will have their choices of candidates severely limited, because only one political party is allowed to officially exist. In the American state, there is only one party with two branches, both of which support and foster socialism. Since there is no opposition party to the socialists, the participation of the citizens of the United States has dropped considerably over the past few decades. Why vote when the same policies are pushed by both branches of the single party? However, republicanism is much more than just being able to vote for leaders. After all, even the former Soviet Union had elections. Republicanism is centered on a commonality of purpose. This purpose must be more substantial than abstract ideas or political jingoism. A republic can be successful only when the population is small, the religion is shared by all, and generally of the same race. As Animal Farm demonstrates, a society with many races will always have a dominate race, like the pigs. Because the interests of the pigs were different than the other animals, there would never be any commonality in spirit or deed among the animals. Once a republic loses its purpose and becomes too large with many religions and several different races co-existing together, the republic must give way to a consolidated state, where policy and purpose are directed downward from the oppressors instead of upward from the people in the case of the republic. Relations under a republic is directed by tradition and cooperation; but under the state, relationships are defined in legal terms, even marriage.

16 / Animal Farm

Glossary for Animal Farm blithe (blºth) adj. Carefree and lighthearted; lacking or showing a lack of due concern; casual; jolly capitulate (k…-p¹ch“…-l³t”) v. To surrender under specified conditions; come to terms; to give up all resistance; acquiesce; yield dole (d½l) v. To dispense as charity; to give out in small portions; distribute sparingly elaborate (¹-l²b“…-r³t”) v. To work out with care and detail; develop thoroughly; to express at greater length or in greater detail expound (¹k-spound“) v. To give a detailed statement of; set forth; to explain in detail; elucidate fortnight (fôrt“nºt”) n. A period of 14 days; two weeks frugal (fr›“g…l) adj. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources; sparing ignominious (¹g”n…-m¹n“¶-…s) adj. Marked by shame or disgrace; despicable; degrading; debasing incumbent (¹n-k¾m“b…nt) adj. Imposed as an obligation or a duty; obligatory; leaning or resting on something else; currently holding a specified office indefatigable (¹n”d¹-f²t“¹-g…-b…l) adj. Incapable or seemingly incapable of being fatigued; tireless machination (m²k”…-n³“sh…n) n. The act of plotting or a crafty scheme for the accomplishment of a sinister end; conspiracy morose (m…-r½s“) adj. Sullenly melancholy; gloomy parasitical (p²r”…-s¹t“-¹-k…l) adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of living off others preliminary (pr¹-l¹m“…-nμr”¶) adj. Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory restive (rμs“t¹v) adj. Uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay; resisting control; difficult to control sordid (sôr“d¹d) adj. Filthy or dirty; foul; squalid; wretched; exceedingly mercenary taciturn (t²s“¹-tûrn”) adj. Habitually untalkative; silent thwart (thwôrt) v. To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of; to oppose and defeat the efforts, plans, or ambitions of; frustrate vivacious (v¹-v³“sh…s) adj. Full of animation and spirit; lively stupefy (st›“p…-fº”) v. To dull the senses or faculties of; to amaze; astonish

Animal Farm Vocabulary Quiz 1. ______ After the death of old Major, the pigs felt it was ________________ upon them to instruct the other animals in the doctrines of Animalism. (A) blithe (B) frugal (C) ignominious (D) incumbent (E) vivacious 2. ______ While they were certain that Animal Farm would fail, the neighboring farmers were becoming worried, since their own animals were becoming more ___________ and uncooperative than usual. (A) vivacious (B) sordid (C) restive (D) indefatigable (E) frugal 3. ______ When Jones and his men ran away from the fight, this amazing feat ____________ the animals in a way that they were unable to talk or move for a moment, but then they broke out with rejoicing, knowing that the free-loading and ______________ humans were gone. (A) capitulated . . blithe (B) elaborated . . frugal (C) expounded . . ignominious (D) thwarted . . indefatigable (E) stupefied . . parasitical 4. ______ Of all of the animals, only Molly seemed to be ____________, walking about in a continuous gloom. (A) frugal (B) ignominious (C) incumbent (D) indefatigable (E) morose 5. ______ By his ___________ schemes and deceit, Napoleon was able to pervert history to show that the hero Snowball was a(n) _________________ coward and traitor. (A) blithe . . vivacious (B) frugal . . taciturn (C) incumbent . . restive (D) morose . . indefatigable (E) sordid . . ignominious CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE 1

11. ______ By nature, Benjamin the mule was taciturn, but whenever he spoke, he offered words of wisdom.

6. ______ At first, the pigs have difficulty of trying A and counteracting the “lies” of Moses, the B C tamed raven, who speaks about Sugarcandy D Mountain. No error. E

The word “taciturn” means (A) impatient. (B) happy. (C) angry. (D) silent. (E) talkative.

7. ______ 12. ______ The rebellion of the chickens offers a lesson about counting the cost before embarking on the road toward civil disobedience, because capitulating to the state will always mean retribution and oftentimes execution.

Often staying up late at night, the plan A developed by Snowball was clearly of a B C common, ordinary windmill. No error. D E

The word “capitulating” means most nearly in this sentence

8. ______ Initially, the animals appeared to enjoy more A food and more leisure, because they were not B C having to dole out food to the non-productive D humans. No error. E

(A) giving up. (B) forgiving. (C) hindering. (D) praying. (E) destroying. 13. ______ Typical of all elitists, the pigs allowed themselves to be indulged with luxurious living, while they preached to the other animals the virtue of living frugally and within their means.

9. ______ They did not understand Snowball’s long A B words, but they accepted his explanation, and

The word “frugal” means (A) foul. (B) lively. (C) sparing. (D) gloomy. (E) restless.

all the humbler animals set to work to learn the C D new maxim by heart. No error. E 10. ______ Napoleon did not care for Snowball’s A committees, but he believed the education B of the youth were the most important project at C D the moment. No error. E

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The betrayal of Boxer by the elitist pigs on Animal Farm is the most egregious event in Orwell’s novella. Hard working, loyal, and trusting. 14

Boxer represents the simple naive mass of people who think its 15

leaders have the same morals and goals as it does. When projects or production fall behind, Boxer is willing “to work harder”. In fact, the 16

faithful horse thinks the success of Animal Farm is dependent upon his strength. The reason for doing more than his “fair spare” is due to his enormous strength, and him believing the promises of the pigs regarding 17

retirement. In other words, if one works hard early in life, then he can relax later when he is unable to work. The powerful horse finally overexerts himself, and the pigs no longer have no use for Boxer. The 18

state heartlessly uses the horse, and then callously profits from his death when selling him to a glue manufacturer. The hypocrisy of the state is clear when the propaganda convinces Boxer along with the other animals that they should work for the good of all, but he actually works 19

for the good of a few, who trade Boxer’s life for a case of booze. Thus, to the state, life is cheap and unimportant, human existence—or in the case of Animal Farm, animal existence—provide for the elite. 20

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14. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE misplaced modifier comma splice fragment

15. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE simple-naive simple; naive simple, naive

16. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE “to work harder.” ‘to work harder’. [to work harder].

17. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE his he Boxer

18. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE haven’t any use have any use no use

19. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE he him them

20. A. B. C. D.

NO CHANGE misplaced modifier comma splice fragment

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Answer Keys to Animal Farm Vocabulary Recognition—Lesson 1 1. vivacious 2. preliminary 3. expound 4. elaborate Lesson 1 1. Old Major had called the meeting, and the animals respected him. 2. Life is miserable, laborious, and short. 3. Human beings steal most of the productive labor of the animals. 4. Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. 5. The name of the song is “Beasts of England.” 6. Those who taught about and organized for the revolution were the pigs, the cleverest animals on the farm. 7. The philosophy is called “Animalism.” 8. Moses is the state-church (being fed by Jones), and Sugarcandy Mountain is a symbol for Heaven. 9. The animals were not fed, they broke into the storehouse, and when Farmer Jones and his men tried to get them out, the animals turned on the men. 10. The animals resolved to make the house a museum and that no animal should ever live in the house. 11. The milk was missing. Vocabulary Recognition—Lesson 2 1. indefatigable 2. dole 3. fortnight 4. parasitical Lesson 2 1. The pigs assumed leadership. 2. Boxer’s personal motto was “I will work harder!” 3. Only the pigs could present resolutions to be discussed and voted on. 4. Benjamin said there was nothing worth reading. 5. The maxim was “Four legs good, two legs bad.” 6. The pigs used brainpower, and their health was vital for Animal Farm; otherwise, Jones would return and take over the farm. 7. Jones and several other men had entered Animal Farm, wanting to retake the farm. 8. Molly fled from the battle. 9. The sheep was awarded the title of “Animal Hero, Second Class.” 10. The animals mounted the pistol in front of the flagpole. Vocabulary Recognition—Lesson 3 1. sordid 2. blithe

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3. ignominious 4. restive Lesson 3 1. Molly deserts Animal Farm. 2. Napoleon was able to garner the support of the sheep. 3. The other faction believe that a increase in food production was more necessary. 4. The dogs trained by Napoleon attacked Snowball, and in order to save his life, the pig ran. 5. A committee of pigs would decide the issues about running the farm, presided by Napoleon himself. 6. The skull of old Major was mounted in front of the flagpole. 7. Napoleon had approved the building of the windmill. 8. Animal Farm would begin trading with the outside world, but only to get the necessities needed for the farm. 9. The commandment which prohibited sleeping in beds, now had “with sheets” added to it. 10. Napoleon blames Snowball for the destruction of the windmill. Vocabulary Recognition—Lesson 4 1. thwart 2. stupefy (stupefied) 3. capitulate 4. machination Lesson 4 1. The walls of the windmill were too thin. 2. Napoleon had the bins filled with sand, putting grain on the top of the sand. 3. The hens were ordered to deliver up their eggs to be sold for food. 4. According to Squealer, Snowball was the secret agent of Jones, his wound was planned, and he led several animals away from the fray. 5. The song is about rebellion, and now the rebellion is complete; therefore, the song was unnecessary. 6. Napoleon named the mill, Napoleon Mill. 7. The £5 notes were worthless, because they were forgeries (counterfeited). 8. Frederick with several men attacked Animal Farm and then blow up the windmill with explosives. 9. The pigs discovered bottles of whiskey. 10. Squealer was changing the Fifth Commandment to “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.” Vocabulary Recognition—Lesson 5 1. frugal 2. frugal, taciturn 3. incumbent Lesson 5 1. Napoleon personally looked after the education of the piglets. 2. The pigs brewed beer with the barley. 3. Animal Farm was proclaimed a republic. 4. Moses the raven returns to Animal Farm. 2

5. Boxer intended to learn the rest of the alphabet. 6. Boxer had been sold to a horse slaughterer. 7. The windmill was used to grind corn, which brought a very good profit. 8. The truest happiness is working hard and living frugally. 9. Clover and the other animals saw Squealer walking on his hind legs. 10. The chant was “four legs good, two legs better.” 11. The saying was “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” 12. Both Napoleon and Pilkington played an ace of spades at the same time.

Animal Farm 1. D 2. C 3. E 4. E 5. E 6. B (to counteract) 7. A (misplaced mod.) 8. E 9. A (indefinite subj.) 10. C (S-V agreement) 11. D 12. A 13. C 14. D 15. D (mechanics) 16. B (mechanics) 17. B (pronoun case) 18. C (double negative) 19. B (pronoun agreement) 20. C

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