When I first read Animal Farm the summer before I started 8th grade, I thought that it was a nice story about animals taking over a farm. But then we studied the Russian Revolution of 1917 in school and I saw the book in a whole new light!
Key Terms
lurched
scullery
he had been exhibited
ensconced
stout
s steadiness of character
cynical remark
paddock
trodden
mincing daintily
hideous cruelty
bare minimum
platform
rafters
concealed
enormous
tempered
cynical
admitting
mare
dainty
plaited
Questions
Why does Old Major call the meeting?
What is the significance of Mr. Jones being drunk? Why does he take a last glass of beer?
Why is Mrs. Jones mentioned? What is she doing? Is this ladylike?
What is the significance of describing all the animals and where they sit?
How does the author establish the characters of each species?
Why does Old Major start the meeting with the word Comrades?
What are his major complaints?
Are they justified?
Who do the animals work for?
Who gets the benefits?
What vision of the future does Old Major show for the animals?
Is it reasonable?
Now take a look at this children's book: Farmer Duck: It is a similar story based on Animal Farm, but really written for kids. http://amzn.to/1LFulLt
What similarities do you see between the two books?
What differences do you see between the two books?
What message are we giving our children when we read this book?
How was Martin Waddell influenced by George Orwell?
Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher
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