Animal Farm, All chapters

Where do the animals live?

The animals live on Manor Farm in England.

Who owns the farm?

The owner of Manor Farm is Mr. Jones.

Who is Old Major?

Old Major is Mr. Jones's old white prize boar. He is highly respected by the other animals.

What is Old Major's dream?

Old Major has a dream about a world where man has disappeared.

How is life bad for the animals on the farm?

Mr. Jones works the animals hard and steals the products of their labor until they eventually die at his hand.

What does Old Major suggest that the animals do?

Old Major suggests that one day animals must rebel against their human masters.

What is "Beasts of England"?

"Beasts of England" is a song that Old Major learned in childhood. The other animals pick it up quickly.

What sets the pigs apart from the other animals?

The pigs are the most intelligent of the farm animals and sit in the front of the audience.

What decision is reached about wild animals?

The animals vote that wild animals should be considered "comrades."

What does Old Major caution the animals against doing if they successfully overthrow man?

Old Major warns the animals not to adopt the habits of man and lists seven specific things they must not do.

What happens to Old Major?

Old Major dies three days after his speech.

Who leads the preparations for the rebellion?

The pigs—especially Napoleon and Snowball—lead the farm in preparing for the rebellion.

Who is Squealer?

Squealer is a very persuasive pig.

What is Animalism?

Animalism is a theory that the pigs derive from Old Major's speech.

Why don't the pigs like Moses?

The pigs don't like Moses because his talk of Sugarcandy Mountain distracts the animals from the need for rebellion.

Why does Mollie seem concerned about Animalism?

Mollie is concerned that she won't get to wear hair ribbons or enjoy lump sugar after the rebellion.

What prompts the rebellion?

Farmer Jones starts drinking more and neglects to feed the animals for over twenty-four hours.

What have the pigs secretly learned to do?

The pigs reveal that they have taught themselves to read and write.

What are the Seven Commandments?

The Seven Commandments are:

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.

What is different about this year's harvest?

This year the animals have the largest harvest yet, and they also finish it faster than normal.

What does Boxer adopt as his motto?

Boxer adopts "I will work harder!" as his personal motto.

What do the animals do on Sundays?

On Sundays, the animals don't work and instead hold farm-wide meetings to debate and vote on new resolutions.

Do Snowball and Napoleon get along?

Snowball and Napoleon disagree on almost everything.

Why don't any animals except pigs submit resolutions for debate?

Only the pigs are smart enough to come up with new resolutions.

What does Snowball want to focus on at the farm?

Snowball wants to focus on educating the animals and putting them into committees.

What does Napoleon want to focus on?

Napoleon thinks the pigs should focus on the education of the young.

What happens to Jessie's and Bluebell's puppies?

Napoleon takes Jessie's and Bluebell's puppies up to a secret loft, and everyone soon forgets about them.

What has been happening to the milk?

It is revealed that the milk is being mixed in with the pigs' mash.

What does Squealer explain about the milk and apples?

Squealer explains that the pigs need the vitamins in the milk and apples to continue being the brainworkers of the farm.

How do Snowball and Napoleon send word of the rebellion to other animals?

Snowball and Napoleon send out pigeons to other farms to try to encourage further rebellion.

Who is Mr. Pilkington?

Mr. Pilkington is an easygoing farmer who owns neighboring Foxwood Farm.

Who is Mr. Frederick?

Mr. Frederick is the owner of Pinchfield Farm and is known for being tough and shrewd.

What rumors spread about Animal Farm?

Rumors spread among the humans that the animals on Animal Farm are starving and practicing cannibalism and torture.

What has Snowball been doing to prepare for Jones's return?

Snowball has been studying the battle tactics of Julius Caesar to prepare to fight off Jones.

How is Snowball injured?

Snowball is injured when a shot grazes his back as he charges Mr. Jones.

Why is Boxer upset after the battle?

Boxer kicks a young farmhand in the head and stuns him. Thinking that he killed the boy, Boxer feels extremely guilty.

Where was Mollie during the battle?

Mollie fled when she heard the guns go off and was found hiding in the barn.

What do the animals name the battle?

The battle is named the "Battle of Cowshed."

What awards do the animals create?

The animals create "Animal Hero, First Class" and "Animal Hero, Second Class."

What does Clover see Mollie doing?

Clover sees Mollie allowing a farmhand to pet her nose over the hedge.

What happens to Mollie?

Mollie eventually runs away and is taken in by a pub owner who spoils her with ribbons and sugar.

What has changed about Sunday meetings?

The animals now accept that only pigs can suggest resolutions at the meetings, though all the animals get to vote on them.

How are Napoleon and Snowball different?

Snowball is a very effective orator, while Napoleon is better at gaining support behind the scenes.

What is Snowball's big idea?

Snowball wants to build a windmill to supply electricity to the farm.

Why does Napoleon oppose the windmill?

Napoleon claims that if the animals focus on building the windmill, they will all starve to death.

What happens when Napoleon gives a whimper?

When Napoleon gives his signal, nine ferocious dogs appear and chase Snowball away from the farm.

How does Squealer justify Napoleon's behavior?

Squealer claims that Napoleon is being selfless by taking on the burden of leadership.

What new maxim does Boxer adopt?

Boxer begins to say "Napoleon is always right" in addition to "I will work harder!"

What does Napoleon decide about the windmill?

After taking power, Napoleon changes his mind and supports the windmill, claiming that it was originally his idea.

Why is it hard to build the windmill?

The stones for the windmill are far away and must first be dropped off a cliff and broken into manageable pieces.

What does Napoleon propose to do to deal with the shortages on the farm?

Napoleon announces that he will sell some of the farm's seasoned timber and possibly some eggs.

Who is Mr. Whymper?

Mr. Whymper is hired as Napoleon's human contact for his business with other farms.

What happens to the commandment against trade?

Squealer makes the animals believe that there was never a written prohibition against trade.

What does Squealer threaten might happen if the pigs are not allowed to get rest?

Squealer suggests that Mr. Jones might return if the pigs are not kept well rested.

Where do the pigs move to?

The pigs move in to the farmhouse.

What happens to the commandment against sleeping in a bed?

The commandment against sleeping in a bed is modified to prohibit "sleeping in a bed with sheets," though the pigs pretend it always said that.

What happens to the windmill when it is half finished?

The windmill falls over in a windstorm.

What is responsible for the destruction of the windmill, according to Napoleon?

Napoleon blames the windmill's failure on Snowball and accuses him of secretly returning to destroy it.

What evidence do the pigs provide to show that the windmill was deliberately sabotaged?

The pigs "discover" the tracks of a pig near the ruined windmill and declare that this is proof of Snowball's involvement.

What "rumors" are spread about the windmill?

It is rumored that the windmill's walls were too thin, which is why it was knocked over during the windstorm.

How is the new windmill constructed differently?

The new windmill has walls that are three feet thick.

What happens when Mr. Whymper comes to visit?

Whenever Mr. Whymper comes to visit, the animals are instructed to loudly lie about ration increases, and the empty barrels of food are made to appear full.

Why do the hens rebel?

The hens rebel because Napoleon announces that he will be selling their eggs.

Why do the hens relent?

The hens relent after Napoleon stops their rations and nine hens die.

What does Squealer announce about the Battle of Cowshed?

Squealer announces that Snowball was actually in league with Mr. Jones during the Battle of Cowshed.

What happens at the meeting in the yard?

During the meeting, several animals come forward and confess to traitorous acts, for which they are then executed.

What happens when the dogs try to grab Boxer?

When the dogs attack Boxer, he easily defends himself and pins one of them down until Napoleon tells him to release him.

What do the animals do after the meeting in the yard?

After the meeting in the yard, the animals huddle together and sadly sing "Beasts of England."

Why does Squealer say "Beasts of England" has been outlawed?

Squealer claims that "Beasts of England" is a revolutionary song that is no longer needed since the revolution is complete.

What happens to the commandment about killing other animals?

The words "without cause" are added to the end of the commandment against killing other animals to justify the executions.

Why don't the animals dispute Squealer's claims that their quality of life and productivity have improved?

The animals have begun to forget what life was like under Mr. Jones, so they have no way of knowing whether things have really improved.

Why do the animals prefer Mr. Pilkington to Mr. Frederick?

The animals have heard terrible rumors about how cruel and abusive Mr. Frederick is to his animals.

Why are the animals shocked when Napoleon sells the timber to Mr. Frederick?

The animals are shocked when Napoleon sells to Mr. Frederick because Napoleon had been pretending he was going to sell to Mr. Pilkington.

How does Mr. Frederick betray Napoleon?

Mr. Frederick pays Napoleon in forgeries rather than real money.

What happens the morning after Napoleon discovers Mr. Frederick's trick?

The morning after the forged money is discovered, Mr. Frederick and his men blow up the windmill.

Why don't the animals initially feel victorious after the battle?

The animals are too depressed by the loss of the windmill and their own heavy casualties to feel excited about their victory in battle.

What is really wrong with Napoleon when the pigs report that he is dying?

Though the pigs think he is dying, Napoleon is really just hungover.

What do the animals find when they are woken up by a loud crash?

The animals are woken up by a crash and then find Squealer sprawled on the ground near the barn wall with a ladder and a can of paint.

What does the commandment against drinking alcohol now say?

The commandment against drinking now has the words "to excess" added.

What is wrong with Boxer's hoof?

Boxer's hoof is split, though he continues to work anyway.

Who fathered the new piglets?

Napoleon is the father of the new piglets.

What new rules about the pigs are introduced?

The pigs are allowed to wear ribbons on their tails on Sundays, and all animals that meet a pig on a path must step aside.

What is ironic about the "Spontaneous Demonstrations"?

The "Spontaneous Demonstrations" are planned out and therefore not spontaneous.

What official change is made to the government of Animal Farm?

Animal Farm is officially declared a republic with Napoleon as president.

What happens with Moses, the raven?

Moses is allowed to return to the farm and continues to tell the animals about Sugarcandy Mountain.

Why is Benjamin upset when he sees the van taking Boxer away?

Benjamin is one of the few animals who can still read, which allows him to see that Boxer is being taken away in a knacker's van.

Why can't Boxer escape from the van?

Boxer is too weak to kick down the door of the van, though he tries his best.

How does Squealer explain the lettering on the van?

Squealer tells the animals that the veterinarian had recently purchased the van from the knacker and had not yet repainted it.

How did the pigs afford the case of whiskey?

It is implied that the pigs bought the whiskey with the money they gained from selling Boxer to the knacker.

What animals from the original rebellion are still on the farm?

Only Clover, Benjamin, Moses, and several of the pigs (including Napoleon and Squealer) are still alive.

What happened with the windmill?

The windmill was finished, though it was not used to provide electricity for the animals' stalls. A second windmill is now under construction.

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What does Benjamin say about life on the farm now compared to life under Mr. Jones?

Benjamin says that life is now no better or worse than it has always been and will always be.

What does Squealer do with the sheep?

Squealer takes the sheep aside and teaches them a new slogan.

What do the pigs do that shocks the animals?

The pigs shock the animals by learning to walk on two legs.

What happens to the Seven Commandments?

The Seven Commandments are painted over and replaced with "ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS."

What does Mr. Pilkington say about Animal Farm?

Mr. Pilkington compliments Napoleon on working the animals so hard and giving them so little food.

What does Napoleon change the name of the farm to?

Napoleon changes the name of the farm back to Manor Farm.

Why is it important that Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington both play the same card?

The fact that Napoleon and Pilkington play the same card means that one of them is cheating.

What confuses the animals as they look through the window at the pigs and the humans?

As they look through the window, the animals can no longer tell who is a pig and who is a human

What happens to the milk from the cows?

It is implied that Napoleon stole the milk.