Animal Farm by George Orwell Study Questions

Animal Farm by George Orwell has become a classic in political "fantasy."  We are studying the book, and I am writing study questions as we read the book.

http://msxnet.org/orwell/print/animal_farm.pdf

Here is a study guide that you can also do as we read the book: http://curriculumproject.org/wp-content/uploads/AF_SB_DRAFT_Aug2012-web.pdf

Questions

Why do the animals rebel?  How is it similar to the Russian Revolution?
What do they do first?
Why do they leave the house intact?
What role do the pigs do with the farm work?
What is Boxer's attitude toward the farm?
How does he set an example to the other animals?
What does the 7 commandments remind you of?
What commandments would you write?
Which commandment will be broken first?
Why do the pigs criticize the mare when she wants the ribbons?




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher

Animal Farm by George Orwell Chapter 1

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!

 http://msxnet.org/orwell/print/animal_farm.pdf 

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