ANIMAL FARM CHAPTER 2
COMMENT:
The first thing to note in this chapter is the manner in which the Rebellion takes place. It is
spontaneous, caused by aggravating circumstances, and is successful because the animals all
work together. Notably, there were no leaders in overthrowing Jones’ “government”.
Another important moment is the issue about the milk and its disappearance. This is Orwell’s
way of introducing another conflict. Considered together with the fact that the pigs naturally
assume leadership because of their intelligence, this makes their later behavior all the worse. It
is Orwell’s way of saying that they should have known better.
The reference to Moses and the Sugarcandy Mountain is a reference to the Christian Church’s
teaching of a paradise after death. The communist revolutionaries were opposed to religion
and its teaching as they argued it convinced people to accept their lot in life and not to want a
better life.
QUESTIONS:
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20.
How did Old Major die and how old was he when he died?
Where was he buried?
What was the “secret activity” that took place during the three months after Major’s
death?
Which two species of animals were considered the most intelligent?
What does the phrase “pre-eminent among the pigs” mean?
Who were the pre-eminent among the pigs?
What did Mr Jones intend to do with these two pigs?
For what did Napoleon have a reputation?
Comment on the fact that Squealer had a way “of skipping from side to side” whenever he
was arguing some difficult point.
What does the word “apathy” mean?
What was Mollie’s main concern about life after the Rebellion?
What does Snowball call the ribbons which Mollie likes so much?
Of what is Mollie not very convinced.
What was the immediate cause of the Rebellion/
Who escaped from the farm with Mrs Jones?
What was taken out of the farmhouse for burial?
On what were the Seven Commandments painted?
Write down the Seven Commandments of Animalism.
What did Snowball say they should make a point of honour?
Why would the animals look at the buckets of milk with interest?
ANIMAL FARM: CHAPTER 2
Model answers:
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9.
He died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 12.
At the foot of the orchard.
The pigs were preparing the other animals for the Rebellion.
The pigs and the dogs
They were the leaders, the most important and the most intelligent.
Napoleon and Snowball.
To have them sold as breeders.
For getting his own way.
This means that he could take any side of an argument according to the needs of the
moment and in order to win the given argument.
10. Not caring, not being interested.
11. Whether there would be any sugar.
12. The badge of slavery.
13. That liberty was worth more than ribbons.
14. The animals were very hungry
15. Moses
16. The hams
17. On the end wall of the barn.
18. The Seven Commandments of Animalism:
 Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
 Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
 No animal shall wear clothes.
 No animal shall sleep in a bed.
 No animal shall drink alcohol.
 No animal shall kill any other animal.
 All animals are equal.
19. They should get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do.
20. In the past none of the milk had ever been given to them.