chapter 2

• Historical

  “And shall I still be allowed to wear ribbons in my mane?” asked Mollie. “Comrade,” said Snowball, “those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery. Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than ribbons?”

  The character of Mollie is an allusion to the bourgeoisie, or upper-middle class in Russia at the time of the Revolution.
• Religious

  "The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses, the tame raven. Moses, who was Mr. Jones’s especial pet, was a spy and a talebearer, but he was also a clever talker. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain, to which all animals went when they died."

  The character of Moses is an allusion to the Russian Orthodox Church.
• Historical

  "In past years Mr. Jones, although a hard master, had been a capable farmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit, and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. . . . His men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the buildings wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed."
• Who is Mr. Jones in the historical context?

  A character representing Czar Nicolas II
• What does Mr. Jones's character symbolize in the story?

  Failures of leadership and capitalism
• What negative changes occurred in Mr. Jones's life?

  He became disheartened and drank more
• What were the conditions of Mr. Jones's farm?

  Idle men, weeds, neglected buildings
• How does Mr. Jones's situation reflect historical events in Russia?

  It mirrors the decline of Czar Nicolas II
• What was one of the reasons for Mr. Jones's decline?

  He lost money in a lawsuit
• What does the neglect of the farm signify in the context of leadership?

  It indicates poor management and responsibility
• What is one consequence of Mr. Jones's drinking habits?

  His men became idle and dishonest
• How does the character of Mr. Jones relate to capitalists?

  He represents the failures of capitalism
• What historical event is alluded to by Mr. Jones's character?

  The Russian Revolution
• What were the conditions of the animals on Mr. Jones's farm?

  They were underfed
• What does the phrase "fallen on evil days" imply about Mr. Jones?

  He has experienced a decline in fortune
• What does the neglect of the hedges and buildings suggest about Mr. Jones's priorities?

  He prioritizes drinking over farm management
• How does Mr. Jones's character reflect the state of Russia during his rule?

  It shows the discontent and mismanagement
• What is a key characteristic of Mr. Jones as a master?

  He is described as a hard master
• What does the phrase "the fields were full of weeds" symbolize?

  Neglect and lack of care in management
• How does Mr. Jones's character serve as a critique of leadership?

  It illustrates the consequences of neglectful leadership