chapter 4

• Historical/Political

  "Every day Snowball and Napoleon sent out flights of pigeons whose instructions were to mingle with the animals on neighbouring farms, tell them the story of the Rebellion, and teach them the tune of Beasts of England."

  This is an allusion to the practice of the Communist International (known as the Comintern) to attempt to export communism after the Russian Revolution.
• What are the names of the two farms adjoining Animal Farm?

  Foxwood and Pinchfield
• How is Foxwood described in the text?

  As a large, neglected, old-fashioned farm
• Who is the owner of Foxwood?

  1. Pilkington
• What type of farmer is Mr. Pilkington described as?

  An easy-going gentleman farmer
• How is Pinchfield described in comparison to Foxwood?

  As smaller and better kept
• Who is the owner of Pinchfield?

  1. Frederick
• How is Mr. Frederick characterized?

  As a tough, shrewd man
• What is the relationship between Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick?

  They dislike each other greatly
• Historical/Political

  "[T]he owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. One of them . . . Foxwood, was a large, neglected, old-fashioned farm . . . [i]ts owner, Mr. Pilkington, was an easy-going gentleman farmer . . . The other farm . . . Pinchfield, was smaller and better kept. Its owner was a Mr. Frederick, a tough, shrewd man . . . These two disliked each other so much that it was difficult for them to come to any agreement[.]"
• What does Foxwood symbolize in the context of the story?

  England and the western Allies in WWII
• Who does Mr. Pilkington allude to in real history?

  Winston Churchill
• What does Pinchfield symbolize in the context of the story?

  Germany
• Who does Mr. Frederick allude to in real history?

  Adolf Hitler
• What time period did Adolf Hitler lead Nazi Germany?

  1933 to 1945
• What time period did Winston Churchill serve as Prime Minister?

  1940 to 1945 and 1951 to 1955
• How do the characters of Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick represent historical figures?

  They symbolize Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler
• What does the animosity between Foxwood and Pinchfield suggest about their historical counterparts?

  It reflects the tensions between Allies and Axis powers
• Who led the group attempting to recapture the farm?

  Jones
• What were the men carrying during their approach to the farm?

  Sticks, except for Jones with a gun
• What does the term "Battle of the Cowshed" allude to?

  The Russian Civil War (1917–1922)
• Who were the revolutionaries led by during the Russian Civil War?

  Vladimir Lenin
• What was the goal of the forces supporting the monarchy during the Russian Civil War?

  To recapture Russia and remove revolutionaries
• What were the main factions involved in the Russian Civil War?

  • Forces supporting the monarchy
  • Revolutionaries led by Lenin
• How does the situation in the text reflect historical events from the Russian Civil War?

  It parallels the attempt to recapture power
• Historical

  "Jones and all his men, with half a dozen others from Foxwood and Pinchfield, had entered the five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm. They were all carrying sticks, except Jones, who was marching ahead with a gun in his hands. Obviously they were going to attempt the recapture of the farm."