Animal Farm
Reading Study Guide
Chapter I
1. Magical realism is a style of writing in which every element is normal and can naturally occur in the world, all except for one
“magical” element added to the story. How is this story magical realism?
2. What does Major tell the rest of the animals of the farm? Who is the enemy, and why is this species the enemy?
3. How does Major personalize his argument to most animals on the farm?
4. Why does Major make a point to say that they must never come to resemble Man?
5. What does the song Beasts of England tell you? What does the author imply when Major tells us that his ancestors had sung the
song to him as a baby?
6. Are the animals for or against Major’s message? How do you know?
7. What does the farmer do when he hears the uproar, and does his action go along with Major’s message to the animals? How so?
8. Do you agree with Major’s assessment of the relationship between man and animal? If it is so wrong, why has it gone on for as
long as it already has?
Chapter II
1. Springtime is known as the season that resembles birth and new beginnings. Why is this important that Orwell states that the
events to follow from this point on begin in early March?
2. Sometimes the names of characters are symbolic or foreshadow future events. For the two boars that naturally become the
leaders of the revolution, what implications do you think the names “Snowball” and “Napoleon” hold?
3. Select one of the few questions the animals pose on the bottom of page 16 and the top of page 17. Answer the question as it
were your job to convince them to join the notion of Animalism.
4. Why was it difficult to convince the Animals that Moses’ stories were wrong? How does this relate to our world today?
5. What event/action began the Revolution?
6. What was the first thing the Animals did once the Humans were evicted? Why would the animals throw these items away?
7. What do you think of the Commandments? How does the final Commandment relate to the rules and laws of our land today?
8. Do you believe this final Commandment is true in the case of the Animals?
Chapter III
1. What were the Pigs’ role in the work on the farm? Does this abide by their Commandments? Could this be a problem in the
future? Why or why not?
2. What is the difference between the Pigs’ role and Boxer’s role?
3. Describe the flag and what it symbolizes to the Animals.
4. How do Snowball and Napoleon act during meetings? How can this be a problem for Animal Farm?
5. Are the other Animals learning to read and write? Any success?
6. What is the new motto/Commandment? Why was this new one instated?
7. What were the Animals starting to see in the Pigs’ actions and consumption? Why would this be an issue with the Animals of the
farm?
8. Squealer gives the Animals the reasons why the Pigs are consuming more of the food and drink than the rest of the animals. Do
you agree with what he says, that it is for their health and not for personal interest/greed? Explain which you feel better reflects the
truth of what is going on.
Chapter IV
1. Why would Napoleon and Snowball send messenger pigeons to other farms to tell the other animals the news of the Rebellion?
2. How did the other local farmers react to the notion of the animals taking over a farm? Is this reaction logical, if this situation
were to really happen?
3. Why would all of the animals in nearby farms and towns sing Beasts of England?
4. Where did Snowball learn how to protect and defend the farm in a time of war? What was his method of attack? Was it
successful?
5. Why were all of the animals so intent on participating and attacking the humans?
6. What did Boxer do, and what was his reaction? How is his voice a voice of reason, and what message does Orwell impart in
Boxer’s voice?
7. What two dates and events are going to be remembered via gun-salute by the end of this chapter?
8. The events in this chapter take place in October. Spring represents birth and life; summer represents living life at its prime.
What could Fall/Autumn represent? Furthermore, the farm seems to be running very well without any human contact. What do
you feel can lead to their downfall? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Chapter V
1. What happened to Mollie? How does this represent a threat to the farm?
2. What is the nature of Snowball’s and Napoleon’s relationship? How can this cause trouble for the rest of the farm?
3. What are the benefits of having a windmill on the farm? Why would Snowball want to have one?
4. What does Napoleon feel about the windmill? What does he do with the plans? Why do you think he so strongly opposes the
idea?
5. What does Napoleon do during the vote for the windmill construction? What is revealed about his plan with the puppies he
stowed away earlier in the book? Finally, why does Orwell make it a point that the puppies looked at Napoleon the same way pets
looked at Mr. Jones?
6. The sheep helped calm everyone down by repeating the slogan “four legs good, two legs bad!” Do you think this statement is
still applicable to their situation on the farm?
7. Would you trust Napoleon as your leader by the end of this chapter? Why don’t any of the animals object?
8. The events of Napoleon’s dictatorship take place around Spring. Why is it important to note that these events occur at this time?
Chapter VI
1. Describe Napoleon’s work ethic. Are conditions on the farm still better than when it was run by Mr. Jones?
2. What is Napoleon’s new proposal for the farm? How does this arrangement make you feel?
3. Why does the pigs deciding to live in the house cause controversy among the animals on the Farm?
4. What had destroyed the half-erected windmill? How do you know?
5. What is Napoleon’s reaction to the destroyed windmill? Why would he do this?
6. Why did all of the animals believe Napoleon when they saw clear evidence that the storm had destroyed the windmill?
7. Would you want to be a member of the Animal Farm under Napoleon’s reign? Why or why not?
Chapter VII
1. Why were the humans happy to see the windmill had been destroyed in the storm?
2. Describe why Boxer is such a loyal and dedicated worker for Napoleon? Does he share the same intentions and beliefs as
Napoleon?
3. How did Napoleon deceive Mr. Whymper? More importantly, why would he want to deceive Mr. Whymper?
4. What was the new rebellion that occurred on the farm? How did Napoleon react? Did you expect Napoleon to act any
differently?
5. Do you believe that Snowball is performing all of these mischievous crimes on the farm at night? Is he an enemy of the farm?
Why or why not?
6. How did Napoleon seal the deal of making Snowball the enemy of the farm?
7. Why would the animals, after witnessing the pigs’ death, admit to be working with Snowball?
8. Do you think that the song Beasts of England serves no purpose at Animal Farm any longer? Why or why not?
Chapter VIII
1. What was the sixth commandment of the original Commandments of Animal Farm? What was it now? Why are the
commandments different from how they were first written?
2. What is the significance of the new poem about Napoleon being posted on the wall opposite of the Seven Commandments?
How about his picture being painted up there in white?
3. Where do you think the rumors of the neighboring farmers planning on attacking Animal Farm had originated? What purpose
do you feel these rumors serve?
4. Why would Napoleon revoke Snowball’s awarded title of Animal Hero, First Class?
5. Why do none of the animals on the Farm see what Napoleon is doing? How do they not see that they are being mentally and
emotionally manipulated?
6. Did the Animals really earn a victory over the battle against Frederick and his men? How does Napoleon convince them that it
truly was a victory?
7. What was Squealer doing to the Seven Commandments when he fell? Why did he fall?
8. Why did Squealer adjust the commandment about drinking alcohol? How does this situation resemble everything else that
Napoleon has done during his leadership of Animal Farm?
Chapter IX
1. Why would Boxer refuse to slow down his work pace, even though he is badly injured?
2. Squealer announces that, compared to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge, the animals now have more oats, more hay,
more turnips…they worked shorter hours, the drinking water was of better quality, they lived longer, and living conditions have
improved. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
3. What is the danger in allowing Napoleon himself to teach the newborn pigs?
4. How do you feel about the pigs on the farm? Why? Do you know of anyone that resembles the pigs’ attitude and lifestyle?
5. What is significant about the order in which the animals marched around the precincts?
6. Why would the pigs allow Moses to stay on the farm, while they clearly do not believe in what Moses has to say about
Sugarcandy Mountain?
7. Who was taking Boxer to the hospital? Was he really going to the hospital?
8. Are you surprised that Squealer convinced the farm that Boxer had really gone to the hospital? Why?
Chapter X
1. Before beginning reading the final chapter, compare the conditions and living quality of the Animal Farm between now and
when they animals had first taken over the farm at the beginning of the story. How is it different, and how is it the same?
2. What did the pigs learn to do? How does this make you feel?
3. Why did Squealer spend extra time with the sheep? What did he teach them, and how is this different from what they have
been preaching from the beginning?
4. What did the animals see when they looked into the house windows?
5. What do the other farmers say about the way Animal Farm is run, and how is it important to the message of the story?
6. What does the fact that both Mr. Pilkington and Napoleon played an Ace of Spades imply? Why did it cause a brawl among all
the party guests?
7. What do the animals notice about the pigs and the men at the conclusion of the story?
8. Does Animal Farm have a positive or negative message? Explain how you’ve come to this decision.