Chapter One

1. Why did the farm animals decide to meet in the big barn, when Mr. Jones was “safely out of the way”?
2. What impression does Orwell create by describing Boxer in the way that he does on page two? Describe, in your own words, what your impression of Boxer is, based on Orwell’s description of him.
3. What aspects of Benjamin’s character set him apart from other animals in the barn? What will he not “openly” admit to?
4. How does old Major describe the lives of the animals on page three? What does he say is the plain truth?
5. What is the only “real enemy” that the animals have? Why? Examine Major’s reasoning, on page four, in your answer.
6. On page six Major reminds the other animals that “Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend”, but “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.” He goes on to explain that when fighting against Man the animals must not become like Man. What rules does Major set regarding the “vices” of Man and why do you suppose that he creates these rules?

Chapter Two

1. Why did the work of teaching and organizing the rebellion fall to the pigs?
2. Describe the characters of both Snowball and Napoleon, using your own words. What are the differences between the personalities of these two pigs?
3. What lies were being spread by Moses, the tame raven? What does Sugarcandy Mountain sound like?
4. Why did the rebellion occur “much earlier and more easily than anyone had expected”?
5. What did the animals do with the contents of the “harness-room”? What did this activity symbolize for the animals?
6. What did the animals decide to do with the farmhouse? Why?
7. How had the pigs been able to reduce the principles of Animalism to seven
commandments? What was the purpose of these commandments?
8. What, do you suppose, happened to the cows’ milk at the end of Chapter Two? Support your opinion with evidence from the text.

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