Animal Farm
By George Orwell
Chapters 8-10
Focus
Do you think the revolution is worth the upheaval and damage it inevitably causes? Can it bring about
real and lasting change? Why or why not?
Background
Did you know?
Orwell pokes fun at the animals’ revolution throughout the novel by revealing to readers information
that the characters do not know or acknowledge. (This is called using dramatic irony.) Though Animal
Farm is narrated from the point of view of the lower animals, who appe ar to grasp very little of the
power struggles and political jostling, readers can clearly sense Orwell’s commentary on the events. In
the final chapters, Orwell’s heightened use of irony brings the story to dramatic and unsettling
conclusion that clearly spells out the author’s concerns about the Soviet Union.
Allies and Enemies
Napoleon wants the farm to have greater contact with the outside world. Joseph Stalin had similar
visions for the Soviet Union. During the 1930’s, he was torn between allying himself with Western
capitalist nations or with Adolf Hitler’s fascists German government. The Soviet propaganda machine
defiled each “enemy” in turn as Stalin shifted allegiances. In 1939 Stalin pledged himself to Hitler by
signing a “non-aggression pact”. Hitler broke his promise and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. The
Soviets then became allies with the West. At first, Hitler had great success against Stalin ’s less modern
armies. Ultimately, the Soviet army turned the tide with the Battle of Stalingrad, though the city was
nearly destroyed and thousands of Soviets were killed.
Setting A Purpose
Read to find out the ultimate consequences of the animals’ revolution.
Questions for Animal Farm Chapters 8-10
Please answer 12 of the following 24 questions.
1. What is your response the novel’s ending? For example, do you find it uplifting, depressing,
cynical? Explain.
2. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the
windmill affect the animals?
3. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to a
final conclusion about these events?
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
4. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of
Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is Orwell making about the role of
communication in Soviet society?
5. In chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of
progress. Explain.
6. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human
political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are
interchangeable? How might power change those who have it? Explain.
7. What is your reaction to the final scene when Pilkington tells Napoleon that the visitor admire
how Animal Farm is run and want to adopt Napoleon’s methods and discipline?
8. The use of rumor can be an effective propaganda technique. Give three examples of how rumor
is used to distort truths about Frederick and Snowball. Explain the objective of these rumors.
9. How is the theme “power corrupts” evident in the privileges gained by the pigs.
10. What is ironic about the fact that Napoleon introduces Spontaneous Demonstrations and orders
that they be held every week?
11. Since the pigs do not believe Moses’s stories of Sugarcandy Mountain, why do they allow his
presence on the farm rather than expel him?
12. What aspects of the “memorial banquet” for Boxer are ironic?
13. Why does the word more cancel out the meaning of the new Commandment that appears on
the barn wall in chapter 10?
14. What does Napoleon’s announcement that Animal Farm will return to its original name, “The
Manor Farm,” reveal about his character?
15. The term Orwellian refers to concepts of phases from Orwell’s writing that have extended our
language. “All Animals Are Equal But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others” is quoted to
criticize special privilege, such as someone being escorted unfairly to the head of a line. Discuss
this phrase based on your own experience, observation, or knowledge of situations or
circumstance.
16. On commentator has observed: “There have been, are, and always will be pigs in every
society…and the will always grab power.” How is the emergence of individual leadership
different from the “grab” for power?
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
17. Give examples in Chapter 8 of how Napoleon systematically lies to the animals.
18. How does the poem “Comrade Napoleon” serve to build up Napoleon’s image?
19. Compare and contrast the Battle of Windmill with the Rebellion and the Battle of Cowshed.
20. Describe the stated purpose and the actual purpose of the Spontaneous Demonstration.
21. Explain Napoleon’s purpose in allowing Moses to return to the farm. How is this decision
significant for Napoleon?
22. The animals on the farm admire Boxer. Why? What are the animals led to believe about where
he is sent when he is ill? Where is he really sent? Describe Squealer’s cover-up of the event.
23. Analyze the symbolism of the knacker.
24. Over the course of the story, the society on the farm has portioned itself into two classes. What
are they, and why and how did they form?
Projects
Performance-Animal Masque
A masque was a spectacle-filled play with music and dancing put on for kings and nobles in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Present a masque showing a condensed version of the
events of Animal Farm. In a small group, create simple masques from paper plates, cardboard,
or cloth that captures the “look” of the character. Write a short rhyme, speech, or song the
expresses the animal’s personality. You might want to choreograph a dance for the character
that matches the rhyme. Once character can act as the announcer and give necessary
background information.
Creative Writing – The moral of the story is…
A fable is a very short story that teaches a practical lesson about live and usually involves
animals who act and talk like people. Consider lessons learned by the animals of Animal Farm
and by you as a reader of Animal Farm. Write a very short fable about one of the lessons,
creating your own characters and setting to convey the message. State the lesson learned at the
end of the table.
Creative Writing/Performance – Pig to Pig
Rarely are the animals, or the readers, privy to the Napoleon’s thoughts or actual words.
Squealer is his voice. Imagine a conversation between the two pigs. Create a script for Napoleon
Animal Farm
By George Orwell
and Squealer, perhaps a conversation prior to Squealer’s altering one of the Commandments on
the barn wall. The dialogue and its performance should reveal how each pig feels about the
other, as well as their feelings about the animals they lead. Present the scene to the class.
Art – Napoleonic Designs
Design a T-shirt based on Animal Farm. It might be a promotional T-shirt to advertise the book
or to promote Animalism, or perhaps a T-shirt that a character might design for him or herself.
Social Studies – Revolution
Do you think the animals’ lives have changed significantly from the beginning of the book to the
end? Consider how much revolution has changed peoples’ lives. Then use the internet, media
articles, and organization such as Amnesty International or the Red Cross to gather information
about people who live in nations that have undergone revolution. Focus your research on how
people’s daily lives have changed. Present your findings in a written or oral report.