Animal Farm Chapter 1
Dialectical Journal Exemplars
Passage and Source (citation)
“The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came
in together, walking very slowly and setting
down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest
there should be some small animal concealed
in the straw. Clover was a stout motherly
mare…Boxer was an enormous beast…he was
universally respected for his steadiness of
character and tremendous powers of work”
(Orwell 4).
“Is it not crystal clear, comrades, that all the
evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny
of human beings? Only get rid of Man, and the
produce of our labor would be our own.
Almost overnight we could become rich and
free. What then must we do? Why, work
night and day, body and soul, for the
overthrow of the human race! That is my
message to you, comrades: Rebellion” (Orwell
9)!
“[H]e [Benjamin] was devoted to Boxer”
(Orwell 5).
“The dogs had suddenly caught sight of [the
rats], and it was only by a swift dash for their
holes that the rats saved their lives” (Orwell
10).
Basic Response
(R) The beginning description of the two horses, Boxer
and Clover, remind me of the description often given to
parent figures. Describing them both as walking
carefully so as not to step on any small creatures in the
straw suggests to me that they are conscious of others
around them, and concerned for their well-being. Boxer
is described as being well respected for his good
character, which is representative of a father figure, and
also being strong with a good work ethic. Molly is even
described using the word “motherly” and later shelters
some ducklings which had lost their mother… again
suggesting she is very compassionate.
(E) I think the author included Old Major’s speech to
the animals for a number of reasons. First of all, Orwell
chose to allow Old Major to speak as a first person
narrator in order to symbolize the manner in which
Lenin, whom Old Major symbolizes allegorically,
delivered the message of communism to Russian
citizens. Just as Lenin appealed to the plight of poverty
stricken Russian peasants, Old Major appeals to the
working class animals. Secondly, it is necessary for
Orwell to establish the foundation upon which
Animalism will be built. Old Major’s speech provides
both the motivation and the premise for the animal
rebellion. Finally, Old Major’s speech works allegorically
as a form of propaganda. By engendering readers’
sympathy for the suffering animals on the farm, Orwell
manipulates his audience into a more favorable
understanding of the motivation of the proletariat to
rebel.
(Q) Why does Benjamin spend time with Boxer?
Benjamin seems like a taciturn old donkey who doesn’t
really have the time or care for personal relationships.
And of all the animals, the fact that he chooses to be
friends with a horse “not of first rate intelligence”
seems additionally odd. Perhaps since Benjamin is
described as cynical, and that word denotes a mistrust
of others’ motives, Benjamin is confident that the
horse’s “steadiness of character” does not come from
any ulterior motive, as he is too stupid for scheming.
Still, though, the two don’t even speak when they spend
time, further confusing the cause of their (silent)
companionship.
(C) This sentence provided clarification regarding the
collective characterization of the animals. Up until this
point, it didn’t seem like the animals were
that…animalistic. Their secret meeting in the barn was
more courteous than a tea party. None were fighting or
attacking each other; the large animals took care of
smaller ones of different species—what kind of animals
are these? At least now I know that these characters do
possess some of the basic instincts one expects from a
bunch of beasts. And, I can foresee a potential conflict
in the animals being torn between their civility and
baser nature.
Higher level response –
literary analysis
Characterization – this is the main
focus of this response, including
specific traits of the two characters
Boxer and Clover.
Imagery – the imagery of Clover
being “a stout motherly mare… who
had never quite got her figure back
after her fourth foal” is suggestive of
a woman who is family oriented and
more concerned with taking care of
others rather than her own
appearance.
Foreshadowing: This passage hints at
future plot events such as the
creation of Animalism and the
ultimate rebellion against Jones.
Conflict: this passage illustrates an
example of external conflict as the
animals express their hatred of Man