Context

• Who wrote Animal Farm?

  George Orwell
• When was Animal Farm published?

  1945
• What genre is Animal Farm?

  Allegorical novella and political satire
• What was Orwell’s real name?

  Eric Arthur Blair
• What other famous novel did Orwell write?

  1984
• What historical event does Animal Farm allegorize?

  The Russian Revolution of 1917
• What type of government does Animal Farm criticize?

  Totalitarianism, specifically Stalinist Communism
• Who does Mr. Jones represent?

  Tsar Nicholas II
• What does Old Major symbolize?

  Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin
• What historical figure is Napoleon based on?

  Joseph Stalin
• Who does Snowball represent?

  Leon Trotsky
• Why is Snowball exiled from the farm?

  It reflects Trotsky's expulsion by Stalin
• What does the character Squealer symbolize?

  Soviet propaganda, particularly Pravda
• What historical role does Boxer the horse represent?

  The loyal working class (proletariat)
• Who do the sheep represent?

  Blind followers of propaganda
• What does Moses the raven symbolize?

  Religion, specifically the Russian Orthodox Church
• What do the dogs in Animal Farm represent?

  Stalin’s secret police (the NKVD)
• What is the main message of Animal Farm?

  Power corrupts, and revolutions can lead to new oppression
• What famous phrase sums up the animals’ changing equality?

  "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
• How does Animal Farm demonstrate the dangers of propaganda?

  The pigs manipulate language to maintain control
• What role does education play in the novel?

  The uneducated animals are easily manipulated
• How does Orwell present the idea of betrayal?

  The pigs betray the rebellion's ideals for gain
• What does the windmill symbolize?

  Stalin’s Five-Year Plans for industrialization
• What does the execution of animals symbolize?

  Stalin’s Great Purge of political enemies
• What is the significance of the final scene where the pigs and humans look the same?

  It shows the pigs are as bad as humans
• What is an allegory?

  A story where characters symbolize real events
• Why did Orwell use animals instead of humans?

  To make the satire more universal and accessible
• What does the farmhouse symbolize?

  Power and privilege
• What does the changing of the commandments symbolize?

  The corruption of original revolutionary ideals
• Why is Napoleon named after the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte?

  To highlight his dictatorial nature and betrayal
• Why was Animal Farm banned in some countries?

  Due to its criticism of totalitarian regimes
• How did Orwell’s own political views influence the novel?

  He opposed both fascism and Stalinism
• How does Animal Farm remain relevant today?

  It warns about political manipulation and power abuse
• How did critics react to Animal Farm when it was published?

  Some praised it, others dismissed it as propaganda
• What is the overall tone of Animal Farm?

  Dark, ironic, and satirical