Class

• What is a theme in literature?

  A theme is an idea that runs throughout a text.
• What themes are explored in Animal Farm?

  Themes of class, equality and inequality, and power and control are explored.
• How does Orwell use the animals in Animal Farm?

  • To highlight the hardships of the working classes
  • Each animal represents a different section of society
  • The plot parallels the events of the Russian Revolution
• Who ruled Russia before the Revolution of 1917?

  Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia.
• What was the condition of the majority of the population before the Revolution?

  Most were poor, exploited peasant workers or from the working class.
• What does the Rebellion on the farm seek to change?

  It seeks to change the exploitation of the working class by the ruling class.
• How does Orwell depict Mr. Jones in Animal Farm?

  Mr. Jones is a symbol for the Emperor, highlighting his laziness and neglect.
• What hardships do the animals face under Mr. Jones' rule?

  They are fed only enough food to survive and are worked until their last breath.
• What does Old Major say about the life of an animal?

  He states that the life of an animal is misery and slavery.
• How does Old Major use rhetorical questions in his speech?

  He uses them to make the hens consider how Mr. Jones has exploited them.
• How do the pigs exploit the other animals after taking control?

  The pigs take extra apples and milk for themselves instead of sharing.
• What does Squealer suggest when he says, "It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples"?

  He suggests that the pigs eat the food for the benefit of the other animals.
• How does Orwell explore class in Animal Farm?

  • The hardships the working class animals endure under Mr. Jones' rule
  • Mr. Jones takes everything the animals produce for his own profit
  • The pigs adopt Mr. Jones’ ways and exploit the other animals
• What happens to the Commandments as the pigs gain power?

  The pigs slowly change the Commandments to suit themselves.
• What is the main outcome of the Rebellion on the farm?

  The pigs become a new ruling class that continues to exploit the working class animals.
• "No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. No animal in England is free. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth."
• "…how many of those eggs have ever hatched into chickens? The rest have all gone to market to bring in money for Jones and his men."
• "It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back!"