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.