ANIMAL FARM
QUESTIONS: CHAPTER 1
COMMENT:
Mr Jones represents the Czar of Russia. In other words he represents the ruling class just
before the Communist Revolution of 1917. George Orwell also wants us to think of him as the
sort of person who exploits and oppresses the lower and working classes. Why then has Orwell
given him the very ordinary name of “Mr Jones”? It is to show that cruel and selfish behaviour
is not found in kings and Czars only. As we shall see, it will not be long before the pigs
themselves will be behaving as badly as Mr Jones.
Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Mr Jones?
2. What is the name of the farm before the animals change it to Animal Farm?
3. Why do you think that the first thing we are told about Mr Jones is that he locked the henhouses?
4. What event in history does Major’s “strange dream” refer to?
5. What do the other animals on the farm think about Old Major?
6. For what was Boxer universally respected?
7. Why do you think Mollie will not be happy about the Revolution?
8. What do you think the raven Moses represents? Does Moses support Old Major?
9. What three words does Major use to describe the life of the animals?
10. Give a definition for “tyranny”.
11. Comment on the warning of Old Major that the animals must never come to resemble man.
12. In the song “Beasts of England” reference is made to nose-rings. Of what would nose-rings
be a symbol?
13. Why does the Rebellion not take place immediately?
14. What did Mr Jones always keep in the corner of his bedroom?
15. Although “Animal Farm” is an allegory of the Russian Communist revolution, why do you
think George Orwell makes the events take place in England?
ANIMAL FARM: CHAPTER 1
Model answers:
1. He is a farmer and the owner of Manor Farm.
2. Manor Farm
3. It shows that he runs the farm in a brutal and tyrannical manner and that he oppresses the
animals.
4. The October Revolution in Russia in which the Communists overthrew the Czar.
5. He is very highly regarded by all of them.
6. His steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work.
7. She will not like to be deprived of luxuries and have to work so hard.
8. He represents the Russian Orthodox Church. Yes he does.
9. Miserable, laborious and short.
10. It is the cruel or unjust use of power. A harsh and cruel Government which would not
tolerate any opposition.
11. His warning is about the fact that the animals must never imitate man and the way he lives.
The book, however, ends with exactly this happening.
12. Nose-rings are a symbol of slavery.
13. Mr Jones fires his gun and all the animals scatter away. This represents the way the first
attempts at revolution in Russia were put down by the army.
14. A gun.
15. So that the books would serve as a warning, that a totalitarian Government could happen in
England just as it did in Russia.