8th Entry
Entry of your choice

I think this novel is full of symbolism and meanings. At first, I was confused with some character’s traits and what happened on the island. After I understood the inside meaning of novel, I was able to connect it with our life and society very easily.
At the beginning of a novel, there was a big war, and the plane that the boys were riding crashes on the island. I think this means that no matter how much the society is civilized, it can never escape the evil nature inside all humans. Our evil nature is always the reason for the downfall of our society.
The conch shell plays an important role in the novel. It is used to gather the boys and have an assembly. They meet at a certain place and decide things together for a better and civilized life. Therefore, I think the conch symbolizes the democratic power and civilization. However, as the story proceeds, the boys become violent and fall to savagery, and the power of the conch shell is lost. At the beginning, the shell was new and sharp, which indicated that the boys were trying to follow the order of the society and civilize. Later on, the conch shell is all worn out and the color is fading. I think this indicates the start of the savagery and loss of democratic power in the island. At last, the conch shell is shattered in to pieces, which means the lost of human’s civilizing instincts.
Another object that plays an important role in the novel is Piggy’s glasses. It symbolizes intelligence and science. It is also a main source that would help the boys to be rescued from the island. Piggy, who is the owner of the glasses, is the most rational and intelligent boy on the island. He represents democracy and civilizing instincts inside all humans. He represents the human’s instinct of trying to follow rules and rejecting evil. However, his glasses slowly destroyed through out the story. This indicates the downfall of civilization and the rational thinking. First, one of the lenses is broken. Then, the glass is stolen by the Jack’s tribe or the savagery on the island. Ralph and Piggy tried to get it back, but they fail in doing so. Here, Piggy dies, which means the demise of human’s civilizing instincts. Also, the glass is taken away from Ralph, leaving him hopeless with despair.
Signal fire’s purpose is to catch a ship passing by and get rescued from the island. Therefore, it is the boys’ only connection with the civilized society. When the fire is low, their connection with the civilized society is weak and it indicates that they don’t care a lot bout being rescued. When the fire is going on well, it indicates that their desire to be rescued and go back to civilized society is desperate. At these times, their connection with the civilized society was very strong. However, as savagery takes over the island, their desire to go back to the civilized world is weak, and the signal fire is completely out.
The Beast in the island is an imaginary creature created by boys’ fears. As savagery takes place on the island, the belief about the beast grows stronger and stronger. This is because the beast also stands for savagery, violence, and fear. The boys become more and more frightened about the beast, and the beast’s existence seems to become more real. Simon is the only one who realizes that the beast is the fear inside each of them, which is why they all think of beast as different forms (snake, water monster…). However, Simon is killed by the beast itself, or the fear and evil inside all of the boys.
The Lord of the Flies is physically a sow’s head on a stick. It is actually the evil nature inside all humans. This is the reason why the boys turned in to savagery. Lord of the Flies connects greatly to the Beast, which is the fear inside all humans.

Question 7

7th Entry
Are there any settings in this novel which you have found to be beautiful? or disturbing? or memorable? Describe these settings and comment on why they were meaningful to you.

As I read the novel, I thought that this was indeed a beautiful island. Filled with dancing butterflies and sweet fruits, the weather is also pleasant and calm. The sea is crystal clear and blue, and the honey-colored sunshine is always enjoyable. The flowers and the trees are also beautiful. At night, the dark sky is loaded with twinkling stars. This setting was memorable and beautiful to me because it made me dream of a paradise. I could easily picture a marvelous place that would only appear in fairy tales.
However, the island was disturbing at the same time. The darkness of the thick forest creates an air of evilness. Also, the steep rocks and the cliffs of the mountain made me feel like there was always evil watching over the children, trying to soak the whole island in to violence and savagery. It made me feel like evil spirits were living in the island. Also, when the dead guy with a parachute landed on the island, it was so despairing and dreadful.
I think what makes this beautiful island in to a place full of fear and evil is the boys living on the island. The evil nature inside them commits murders on the island. The violence becomes worse, and Jack’s greed takes over the whole island. From this novel, I learned that no matter how good the environment is, human’s evil nature can be easily shown. I thought before that the lack of food or drink might cause the violence in the island, but even when they had enough of it, there was still savagery. At the end, the whole island is set on fire and burnt down because of the boys’ fears and evilness. This shows that when a society is filled with evil and violence with no rules, everything comes to destruction.

Question 6

6th Entry
Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you. Why is this passage meaningful? Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.

(Chapter 12) Ralph looked at him dumbly. For a moment he had a fleeting picture of the strange glamour that had once in vested the beaches. But the island was scorched up like dead wood- Simon was dead-and Jack had…. The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of men’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.

This passage was significant to me because although Ralph is reused, he cries in despair and grief. When he sees the civilized creature in front of him, rather than reminding him of the comfortable bed and food, he is reminded of the horrors and the evil things that happened on the island. He knows that things wouldn’t be the same anymore, or that he wouldn’t be the same anymore, even if he goes back to the civilized society. Now, he knows about the evil nature inside all humans. He knows what humans are capable of. He had experience the deepest fear inside all humans which results to evil and violence. The horrors that he experienced in this island will always haunt him as he lives though his life. The situations such as war would always remind him how humans really are. The darkness of men’s heart is maybe what results to every misfortune in this world. Murder, violence, ignorance, grief, sadness, cruelness, and all the other evil in this world didn’t come out form Pandora’s Box. It came out form the box inside us, which is always trying open a little wider, creating misfortune both to ourselves and the world that we live in.
However, I believe that we all have a lock to close that box inside us. It is called “Love”. With love and care for each other, we can defend our world from pure evil. Love has the power to overcome the evil. Although it may be impossible to get rid of the evilness inside us completely, we can always love each other. I think that is why God created both love and evil exists in this world.

Question 5

5th Entry
What is the mood of this novel? What happens? How do the events of this novel make you feel?

The mood of this novel is dark and tragic. However, at the very beginning, it seemed so bright and cheerful. I could just picture the paradise where there are no adults to nag you and every thing is perfect. Also, the boys seemed to start off well. They had many plans and made rules to live like a civilized people. They cooperated and helped each other. They were certain that they were going to be rescued. Most of all, they really wanted to be rescued and cared a lot about it. They seemed to know the importance of the rules and the orders of the society. However, the rules were never followed, and the civilized society they were planning on making came to pieces. The boys started to ignore the rules and lived a savagery life. They killed two boys, Simon and Piggy, and they even plan to kill Ralph, who became the only person in the island who wants civilized life due to the death of his companions. First, I thought that this was impossible. How can small boys be so cruel and violent? This must be because it’s only a story. Then, I began to think, “Isn’t this what is currently happening in our world?” And I realized that nothing was different, except that we were on bigger scenery. There is war still happening around us, and people are killing each other with dangerous weapons. When I thought of this, I felt shame and anger at the same time. Why can’t we just eliminate the evil side inside us? Why do we choose to hurt and kill each other? We are no better than the boys on this island. I felt that the world with absolutely no war and violence would never come to us; or that we will never let it come to us.

Question 4

4th Entry
What is the climax of this novel? What happens? How do the events of this novel make you feel?

The climax of this novel is when Roger kills Piggy by rolling a huge rock on him. Piggy and Ralph set off together with Sam and Eric to retrieve the stolen specs. However, when they arrived at the castle rock, the members of Jack’s tribe are guarding the place. When Jack’s whole tribe arrive with Jack in the lead, Piggy is killed by Roger who rolled a huge rock from over Piggy’s head. He was killed because he spoke boldly for what he believed was right. Although almost nobody agreed with him, he tried his best to tell them that savagery was bad and the importance of a peaceful society and democracy. Although he dies, I believe that he was brave and stood out for what is right till the very end.
The events of this novel make me feel eventually hopeless and sorrowful. At the beginning of the novel, the boys seemed so innocent and nice. Who would have believed they had and evil side inside them? They seemed to have a great time enjoying all the food and the environment of the island. However, as the events go on, the boys become more and more violent and barbaric. They ignore the rules that Ralph keeps trying to tell them. They act as if they don’t care about being rescued or not. I believe that at the end, when they run away from Ralph and follow Jack, they really do not care. The events were more and more shocking as they proceeded. First, an accident occurred and a little boy died. Then, Simon was killed by a whole bunch of boys screaming and dancing in madness. At last, the event that gave me the most shock was the murder of Piggy. He was killed by Roger, and Roger must have known that this isn’t the right thing to do. I just couldn’t believe that those innocent boys at the begging became so violent.

Question 3

3rd Entry
Who are the main characters in the novel? Do you like them? Why or why not? What is special about them? What do they reveal about the universal human experience?

The major character in this novel is Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon. They all represent different things in the novel.
Ralph is the protagonist of this novel. He was chosen as the chief at the begging, but gradually, he loses authority over the society. After he becomes completely against Jack, his rules and orders become useless. He respects rules and restrictions, and knows the purpose of them. He represents civilizing nature in all humans, choosing to live peacefully, obeying all the rules. It is shown clearly in the novel that no matter how much he tries to emphasize the importance of rules, he can never win the evil side. Because he refuses the evil and savagery, he is constantly having conflicts with Jack.
Jack is the antagonist of this novel. He doesn’t respect rules and orders, and he represents the savagery side of humans. Because Ralph keeps emphasizing him about the importance of rules, Jack becomes more violent and rejects against the rules strongly. He thinks that civilizing and creating peace and harmony in the society is not important. He is violent, and wants to rule over everybody with violence and force. Because he didn’t want to be in part of the society where people have to obey rules, he created a tribe of his own and became as violent and wild as he wanted. As the story goes on, he becomes more barbaric and violent.
Piggy is the main follower of Ralph. He represents democracy and civilizing instincts that the humans have. Although they are on a wild, inhabited island, he clings on to the rules and the orders. Rather than wanting to disobey the restrictions that the adults make, he respects them and wants the society to also obey the rules. He is intelligent and has the ability to think logically. He is also rational and knows what he is doing. However, he lacks the ability to socialize with the other people. Because of his intelligence and the respect for the rules, he is usually treated as an outcast in the island. Is logics and rational thinking is sometimes laughed at.
Although Simon seems to have a little role in the novel, he is a very important character. Because of the pure goodness inside him, he is the first and the last one to find out what is really the beast in the island. He faces evil nature of humans, face to face in his mind. He is the only one to realize that the horrors and the terrible things on the island are resulted by the evil side inside them. At the end, he is killed because he tried to tell the other people about what really was the beast in the island.
My favorite character in this novel was piggy. I like him because he stands up for what he believe is right. He rejects all evil, and wants harmony and peace. He knows that the orders and rules are not made for them to suffer; they were made for them to help them to create peaceful society and also help them to escape from the island. He knows this by heart, and he keeps encouraging Ralph into believing what is right. Because of him, Ralph didn’t give up his hopes of creating a peaceful society. He seems to tell the readers that you should never give up on what you believe is right. If you are forced to do something that you believe is wrong, you should stand up boldly and speak what is right, even when there are few or nobody agreeing with you.

Question 2

2nd Entry
Are there any current situations in the world that relate to the novel? What are they, and how do they relate? Does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved for "fixed"?

I think the War between Iraq and United States relates to this novel greatly. The major thing that creates the theme in this story is the evil nature inside all humans. When 9.11 Terror happened, United States determined Iraq as an axis of evil. This “axis of evil” is a group of countries, including North Korea and Iraq, which are known as countries that are against peace and creating dangerous weapons such as nuclear bombs. Although the purpose of the war was to create peace and harmony, the war itself turned out to be bloody. United States attacked Baghdad, and the missile was shot. This is similar with what happened in the Lord of the Flies. Iraq can be seen as Jack, who is violent and doesn’t respect rules. He doesn’t really care about the peace and harmony between people. Like the way he attacked Piggy, Iraq attacked the Twin Towers. Thousands of people died, without even knowing why. United States can be seen as Ralph. Because he believes that rules and restrictions are crucial, he is against everything with Jack. Ralph could have been more compromising and cooperative with Jack, but at times, because his anger got over him, he was too mean and harsh on him. United States is also attacking Iraq pitilessly. Although there have been reports that there are no such weapons like nuclear bomb being made or experimented in Iraq, the so called “Freedom of Iraq” maneuvers are still going on.
Actually, this novel ends very bitterly. The fallen society of the kids, where savagery has taken place, is no longer guided by rules or restrictions. The violence, evil, and fear have already taken over the whole island. Even though when they were rescued, it was a sign that they were being taken to the bigger scene of the whole decaying society. The war was taking place, even bigger one than the one that they had on their island. The naval officer who came to their island is surprised that educated British kids lived so violently. However, he is not noticing that he is also a part of that society, only in a bigger scene. The violence, evil, and fear inside all humans can’t be covered up totally. No matter how big the society that a person is involved, it can’t escape form the evil nature inside all humans. When we are face to face with our conflicts, or our opposing enemies, we can’t escape from the shadow of the evil in our minds. Therefore, I think this would be an unrealistic but an ideal solution: Even when we are facing our greatest conflicts and fears, we should always obey the rules, for they are our only ways of stopping our evil natures from uncovering. They are our only way of stopping the downfall or war in our society.

Question 1

1st Entry
What is the major theme of this novel?? Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2007?


The major theme of this novel is that without rules and restriction, the society is easily destroyed. The people follow rules because it is what holds the society together. However, these rules are broken because of the evil nature inside humans. Our evil natures tend to appear when we are fighting against other people. The groups of people are against each other because they are stopping each other from doing what they want. This can be seen easily in this novel. When Ralph and Jack were against each other, having different ideas and ways, the evil nature inside Jack was uncovered. Because Ralph kept forcing rules and restrictions, Jack’s evil nature was awakened from deep inside him. From this point, the order and the human standards of this society was crushed into pieces. Jack’s group stopped caring about what should and shouldn’t be done as a human. They killed human and beat people without any concern. They became more and more violent as the story went on, and it became harder and harder for Ralph to control them, because he respected rules and restrictions. Therefore, I think that the rules and restrictions are like our way of covering our evil nature.
I think this theme is very important to teenagers living in 2007. We should be aware of the evil natures inside all humans. When we are aware of this, there won’t be too much violence when conflicts occur in our society. Conflicts and fights against groups of people, including countries, can’t be solved by violence or force. The rules, which cover our evil natures from occurring, should always be respected. It is our only way of holding our society together and stopping violence from occurring.

Question 8

Put entry of your choice.






The animal farm reflects the Russian Revolution. First, the characters in this novel reflect the peoples who were involved in the Russian Revolution. The two leaders, Snowball and Napoleon, were actually Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Leon Trotsky was a compassionate and intelligent leader. He shares many traits with Snowball. Snowball was popular among the animals, and so was Leon Trotsky among the people. On the other hand, Stalin is similar with Napoleon. They are both cunning and cruel. They were both a powerful dictators.
There are many other animals that represent the people in the war. Most of the animals represent the workers of Russia. Especially Boxer and Clover, two faithful horses, represents the workers and peasants of Russia. Because the two horses are unsure about many things that happen around them and are not very intelligent, they are easily tricked by the pigs. The pigs represent the intellectual group. They were the ones with the power and controlled the whole farm. This group is called “intelligentsia”, and they were the ones who controlled the Russian Revolution. Moses, Mr. Jones’s tamed crow, represents the Orthodox Church. The Sugarcandy Mountain that he keeps talking about represents the utopia in the afterlife that the Church promised. This weakens the will of the animals to work hard. The same thing happened with the Church. It weakened the Revolutionary thoughts of the workers and peasants. Mollie, a selfish and pretty mare, represents the capitalist class. She is only interested in rich and luxury.
When the farm was under Mr. Jones’s control, it represented the time when Russia was under a part-feudal and part-capitalist system. Mr. Jones gets everything from the animals without working a lot himself. Mr. Jones represents the king, Nicholas II. Although the farm started out well, with good ideas and support, it ends with the pigs controlling everything and becoming a dictator. The same thing happens with the Russian Revolution. The noble ideas which started out the socialism ended up becoming totalitarianism. Instead of getting rid of selfish individual ideas, everybody had to work for the wealth of the intelligentsia. Both of the revolutions which were supposed to stop the mistreatment of the workers and make a society where everybody is equal didn’t work out. The intellectual ones got all the power and wealth, and the poor workers always worked for them.
First I didn’t know Why George Orwell wrote this novel. I thought if the summary of the novel is very similar with the history, there was no point of the novel. However, by putting animals instead of humans, he gave the readers a clearer message. We notice that how absurd the whole farm became. By this, we see how power could change the humans in a similar way.

Question 7

Are there any settings in this novel which you have found to be beautiful? or disturbing? or memorable?
Describe these settings and comment on why they were meaningful to you.








At the beginning of the novel, the animals all gather in the barn to hear old Major’s speech. I find that scene very beautiful. All the animals harmoniously gathered in the barn with no fierce dogs or human-like pigs makes the setting peaceful and comforting. The pigs weren’t greedy, and really seemed willing to sacrifice themselves for the farm. Before the power changed them, they were the good teachers of the animals. This scene was meaningful to me because I felt as though the utopia all the animals longed for was very near. I could feel Clover’s kindly heart when she protected the ducklings with her foreleg. At this time, nobody knew what it would be like to have power like Jones. They thought they would always be nice to each other and that all animals will remain equal. The pigs’ minds weren’t human-like at the time. They also seemed to dream of the beautiful farm, the ideal farm that all animals will lead together. They didn’t know how the power was going to change them. When they sang the Beasts of England, they truly believed in that they sang, positive that it will come true. Maybe the utopia they were all planning to make was impossible. However, even if it was impossible, their start was bright and warm. All animals were willing to sacrifice themselves for the farm. They never knew that the song they sang so majestically would someday be in a mournful tune, like the song of the world that seems never to come.

Question 6

Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you.
Why is this passage meaningful?
Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.





(Chapter 7) The grass and the bursting hedges were gilded by the level rays of the sun. Never had the farm-and with a kind of surprise they remembered that it was their own farm, every inch of it their own property-appeared to the animals so desirable a place. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip, all equal, each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak, as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech. Instead-she did not know why-they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes. There was no thought of rebellion or disobedience in her mind. She knew that, even as things were, they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones, and that before all else it was needful to prevent the return of the human beings. Whatever happened she would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon. But still, it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled. It was not for this that they had built the windmill and faced the bullets of Jones's gun. Such were her thoughts, though she lacked the words to express them.
At last, feeling this to be in some way a substitute for the words she was unable to find, she began to sing Beasts of England. The other animals sitting round her took it up, and they sang it three times over-very tunefully, but slowly and mournfully, in a way they had never sung it before.
This passage was meaningful to me because it talks about how Clover felt about the current situations. She feels sorrowful and confused. When the animal farm was first created, she dreamed of the peaceful society where everybody helped one another. That utopia never came to truth. It would be best if everyone helped one another and the stronger ones protect the weaker ones. Instead, the stronger ones became a threat to the weaker animals. The other animals do not dare to object because of them. The pigs used the nine fierce dogs to control the farm. Although Clover feels strongly that this is not the world she wants, she is determined that it is better than before when Jones controlled the farm. She simply feels satisfied because the humans are no longer in control, but pigs, who are animals, are in control. Because of this fact, she doesn’t notice that the pigs are turning in to humans. Not physically, but mentally. Although their bodies are that of a pig, their minds are like humans. That is the main reason why their sacrifices came to nothing even close to the world she wished for. Because she doesn’t realize this, she has no thought of disobedience. Maybe she wants to believe that all animals are equal and better days are yet to come. Although she thinks that the current situations are better than Jones’s time, she wants to get out of it. To comfort herself, she begins to sing Beasts of England. The song talks about the world that never came to them. Because it seems too far away and too good to be true, her tune becomes sorrowful and sad. It became a song of the world lost forever, an impossible world to come true.

Question 5

What is the mood of this novel?
What happens?
How do the events of this novel make you feel?







The mood of this novel would be sorrowful and mournful. This novel saddens me because the pigs who are supposed to be the comrades of the other animals harass them at the end. The world that animals really wanted never came to them. They were never able to leave their work behind and eat as much as they want. They were told at first that they will get everything that they wanted. Food, freedom, happiness was all they wished for. However, they only heard the stories of the world they way wanted from the crow, Moses. The stories about Sugarcandy Mountain are very pleasant for the animals. I think it even gives them hope to think that they could go there someday. I could see that they really want to believe that such place exists. By thinking of living there, they want to encourage themselves in the current situation. Therefore, I think their misery and desperation made them believe even more about the Sugarcandy Mountain where everything is ideal to them. They were always in a bad condition, not even noticing what was happening. Under the torture of the pigs, they kept on working and suffering. When small rebellion seemed to occur, the pigs were too cruel and clever for them. Many hens who weren’t willing to give their eggs were starved to death. At last, they had to give up. Nine hens had died in this rebellion.
To see the pigs breaking all the promises they made with the other animals and torturing them saddens me the most. They trick the other animals to think they are always doing the right thing.

Question 4

What is the climax of this novel?
What happens?
How do the events of this novel make you feel?





The climax of this novel would be when the pigs start to walk on their hind legs. One evening, Clover first spotted Squealer on his hind legs. The other animals also saw this. A moment later, all the pigs came out of the farm house on their hind legs. Napoleon was also on his hind legs, holding a whip in his trotter. All the animals were terrified, and although they never complained, they really wanted to object to this. However, all the sheep that were trained by Squealer started to bleat “Four legs good, two legs better!”
After the bleating which carried on for five whole minutes, the pigs went in to the farm house and the moment to protest had passed.
Some the events of this novel make me feel angry towards the pigs. They don’t even appreciate the sacrifices the animals make for the farm. All they ever think about is the gain for them. When Boxer got ill after working so hard, they sent him to the slaughterhouse. After that, they lied to the other animals about Boxer happily passing away in a hospital. I felt pity for Boxer. He worked so hard for the growth of the animal farm. All he got for his hard work and sacrifices was a sorrowful death under a knife.
The events in this novel make feel both angry and pitiful. The animals being tortured and suffering makes me feel sad. They all have rights to be treated nicely. I really wanted the animals to protest against the pigs.

Question 3

Who are the main characters in the novel?
Do you like them?
Why or why not?
What is special about them?
What do they reveal about the universal human experience?










The main characters in this novel are Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer. They are the three pigs in the animal farm. I don’t really like them. They are all intellectual and think they are superior to the other animals. Napoleon is the only Berkshire in the farm. He has to have everything in his own way. He is also cruel and cunning. He seems to plan things ahead. He does everything to achieve something he wants. Napoleon is very stubborn, and he doesn’t seem to know how to compromise. I don’t like him because he’s too stubborn and cruel. He shows us the cruelty of humans and how selfish they are. By the way he treats the other animals, he seems very selfish. He doesn’t care how they’re treated. The only thing he cares about is own gain.
Snowball seems a lot better than Napoleon. Although he thought that the pigs were superior to the other animals, he wasn’t as cruel as Napoleon. He was bright and vivacious. He was willing to sacrifice himself for the animal farm. He even ran straight to Jones when humans came to attack. Even when he was injured by the gun, he knocked down Mr. Jones and his gun. He was brave and smart. He shows the compassionate trait of humans. I Most of all, he was innocent. He didn’t like violence happening within the animal farm. Because he wasn’t expecting the sudden attack from Napoleon, he was kicked out. I like Snowball the best of the three.
Squealer is a talkative pig. He is very good at convincing the other animals. He could turn the situation around with his words. He sticks to the stronger side and silences all the objections. I don’t like him because he always tries to persuade the other animals in to false things. He shows us how cunning and dishonest humans can be.

Question 2

Are there any current situations in the world that relate to the novel?
What are they, and how do they relate?
Does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved for "fixed"?



The dictatorship of North Korea relates to this novel. The president right before Kim Jung el (current president of North Korea), was Kim El sung, his father. Kim El sung first appeared in the capital of North Korea (Peong- yang) at 1945, October 14th. He was thirty-three at that time. He was involved in the independence movement against Japan, and went to the Soviet Union at 1940. He came with the Soviet army to North Korea. This is similar to what happened to the animal farm right after Mr. and Mrs. Jones left. When Korea was freed from Japan, like being freed from humans, Kim El sung came to control North Korea, like Napoleon controlling the farm. After the War against South Korea, Kim El sung became the president of North Korea. Like Napoleon, he eliminated all the people who were dangerous to him, or his political opponents. Right after the 6.25 War, he purged Park Han young, who led the 6.25 War with him. This relates to the elimination of Snowball, who was Napoleon’s biggest opponent. Napoleon accused Snowball of being Jones’s secret agent. Like this, Kim Jung el falsely accused Park Han young of being a spy of United States. One by one, every person who challenged his power was eliminated. Therefore, at 1958, Park Jung el’s power was even more strengthened. This relates to the elimination of innocent animals in the animal farm. When the animals confessed about their small crimes, they were all killed for leaguing themselves with Snowball. Later, all the important duties of North Korea were taken by the raiders who worked with him at the independence movement against Japan. I think this relates to the nine dogs that always swarm around Napoleon. They made it impossible for the other animals to object to Napoleon. Like this, the raiders who were high in ranks made it impossible for any dangerous opponent to stand against Kim El sung. To set up the fallen economy, Kim el sung used the labor of the citizens. He set goal amounts for the citizens to accomplish. Napoleon also used the labor of the other animals to make the farm bigger. At the time, Kim El sung was praised like Napoleon was. They were both said to be the great leaders. However, far from being great, they were both cruel. When Kim El sung died, he’s son Kim Jung el took over the country. The children learn about how great their leader Kim Jung el is when they’re little. They will grow up, knowing Kim Jung el as their great leader. They will never think about objecting to him.
The novel doesn’t shed any light on how current situations could be resolved or fixed. It ends with all the pigs becoming like humans. I think it is very hard for the current situations to be fixed. No animals even remember the time before Napoleon ruled them, so they won’t even no the reason to rebel. I think maybe if the animals who remember the time before Napoleon tell the other animals that they deserve better treatment, a better society can be made. They could start objecting to Napoleon, asking why they are mistreated. All the animals should cooperate together to achieve a happier life.

Question 1

What is the major theme of this novel?
Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2007?





Every people in this world don’t have the equal amount of power. There is always a leader above all people, who controls the people. The people who are under control of the leader don’t always agree with their leaders. They have their own ideas of what is a utopia, and their own ideas about what the leader is doing right or wrong. When the leader loses his power by the disagreement of the majority that he cannot control, the power is transferred to another who has his own ideas of how to use the power for the society. However, this ideal plan, using the power the one has for the good of the society, leads to the downfall of the society. If the power is concentrated on a single individual or a small group, the power is eventually used for the benefit of that small group, not for the good of the society. The animals in the animal farm were first controlled by humans, but after the revolution, they were controlled by the pigs. Because the pigs were animals like they were, they trusted the pigs as their comrades. However, the pigs turned out to be worse than humans eventually. They were even harsher to the animals. At the end, all the animals worked for them, like they once did for the humans. I think the major theme of this novel is that the power ruins the person who has it. It pollutes the mind to think of the ways that will only benefit itself.
This theme is very important to teenagers living in 2007. We could learn what the power can do to a human’s mind. Therefore, we could avoid the bad situations such as power being too concentrated on a small group. This is a valuable lesson that teaches us how to construct our society. I think it also teaches us the shortcomings of the dictatorship and that how important the happiness of individual is. We shouldn’t let the power control us completely. There should always be democracy so that everyone’s opinion is appreciated.