Animal Farm: Chapter 1 Study Guide (ANSWER KEY)
1.
What is the setting for the story?
Farm, barn
2. What four characteristics are noted about Boxer the horse?
- stupid appearance (white stripe down nose)
- enormous, nearly 18 hands high
- as strong as 2 horses
- not smart, but respected for character and work power
3. What comment does Benjamin the donkey make that shows his cynicism and bad temper?
- God gave him a tail to keep the flies off; but he would sooner have had no tail than no
flies
-Benjamin is the oldest animal on the farm, worst-tempered, seldom talked, only made
cynical remarks, never laughed
-Benjamin is completely devoted to BOXER, they spend Sunday afternoons together
4. How does Clover help the other animals at the meeting?
-she makes a wall around the ducklings with her foreleg; the ducklings nestled down inside it and
fell asleep (she kept them from being trampled)
5. What does Old Major say is the reason the animals have such miserable lives?
-they are born, given just enough food to keep them alive; those who are capable are forced to
work to the “last atom of our strength”; the instant their “usefulness” has come to an end they
are “slaughtered with hideous cruelty”; “No animal in England is free” [the whole of the produce
of our labor is stolen by human beings] MAN IS THE ONLY REAL ENEMY WE HAVE
6. What is Major’s prediction about Boxer?
-the very day Boxer’s great muscles lose their power, Jones will sell you to the knacker who
will cut [his] throat and boil you down for the foxhounds
7. What decision is made concerning the status of wild creatures such as rats and rabbits?
-Rats are comrades (only the 3 dogs and 1 cat dissented)
8. What is the name of the song Old Major teaches the animals?
“Beasts of England”
9. What are the main ideas expressed in Major’s speech?
"Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a
friend. And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not come to resemble him. Even
when you have conquered him, do not adopt his vices. No animal must ever live in a house, or sleep
in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or engage in trade.
All the habits of Man are evil. And above all, no animal must ever tyrannize over his own kind.
Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other animal.
All animals are equal."
10. What indications does Orwell give in this chapter that suggest the pigs may be superior to the other
animals?
They were "generally recognized as being the cleverest of animals." They have jobs organizing and
teaching.
11. How is Mr. Jones portrayed in Chapter One?
- he is portrayed as a drunk; drinks beer
12. The animals who gather to hear Major’s speech each mirror a single human trait. What trait is
revealed in:
Clover—
A good-hearted female cart-horse and Boxer's close friend. Clover often suspects the
pigs of violating one or another of the Seven Commandments, but she repeatedly blames
herself for misremembering the commandments; helpless; middle-aged; never got her
figure back after having her fourth foal
Boxer-Exemplifies best qualities of the exploited working classes: dedication, loyalty, and a
huge capacity for labor.
Most sympathetic of all characters
Naive trust in the good intentions of the intelligentsia and an inability to recognize even
the most blatant forms of political corruption
Benjamin-Pessimistic, does not believe change can really happen
Represents human apathy
Realistic
Mollie-Spoiled, vain, flighty mare who pulls Mr. Jones's carriage. Mollie craves the attention
of human beings and loves being groomed and pampered; represents the petit bourgeoisie
that fled after the Russian Revolution
The cat—lazy and indifferent, sleeps and does not listen during the meeting
The dogs--
13. What is significant about the pigs and the raven?
Raven- tame- sits on perch by door (later thought to be a spy)
Pigs- seem to be in control already….
14. Why has Major called the meeting?
- to tell the other animals of his dream and his vision for happier times when animals can
live together without man
15. What is the political statement that emerges from Major’s dream?
- Revolution
16. What is Major’s warning to the animals?
Don’t listen when they tell you that prosperity for one is prosperity for all—man serves the
interest of no creature except himself; all men are enemies; all animals are comrades
17. What are the evil human habits against which Major particularly warns the animals?
-no animal must ever live in a house, sleep in a bed, wear clothes, drink alcohol, smoke
tobacco, touch money, or engage in trade {all habits of man are evil} Above all- no animal
must ever tyrannise over his own kind
18. How does Major describe the equality of animals?
-Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers, No animal must ever kill any other
animal, all animals are equal
19. What kind of world does Major dream of?
-A dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished
20.
Why does Orwell describe “Beasts of England” as a “stirring tune, something between
‘Clemtine’ and ‘La Cucaracha’”?
-Both are familiar songs, but most people only know 2 or 3 lines of each song
21.
Which animals learn the song quickly?
- the clever ones…the pigs and dogs
22. How do the animals respond to the song?
- they burst into unison, they are delighted and sing it 5 times in succession; they would
have continued to sing all night if Mr.Jones had not awaken