Plot Diagram:
Exposition:
1) Old Major tells the animals that a rebellion against the humans is coming
2) The animals overrun Mr. Jones and liberate the farm
Rising Action:
3) Jones tries to retake the farm
4) Snowball decides to build a windmill, but is opposed by Napoleon
5) Napoleon drives Snowball out in exile
6) Napoleon takes charge
7) Napoleon resumes work on the windmill
8) Mr. Whymper acts as a salesman to Napoleon, trading goods with Animal Farm
9) The pigs move inside the house and change the Commandments
10) The windmill collapses, so Napoleon has the animals restart on their building
11) Napoleon killed all the 'traitors' among them
12) Beasts of England was abolished
13) Frederick tries to take over the farm
14) Frederick blows up the windmill
Climax:
15) The animals realize that they hadn't won anything, but they had many casualties
Falling Action:
16) Boxer gets injured and Napoleon sells him to be made into glue
17) The pigs walk on two legs
Resolution:
18) The pigs become just like modern man- horrible and demanding
Exposition:
1) Old Major tells the animals that a rebellion against the humans is coming
2) The animals overrun Mr. Jones and liberate the farm
Rising Action:
3) Jones tries to retake the farm
4) Snowball decides to build a windmill, but is opposed by Napoleon
5) Napoleon drives Snowball out in exile
6) Napoleon takes charge
7) Napoleon resumes work on the windmill
8) Mr. Whymper acts as a salesman to Napoleon, trading goods with Animal Farm
9) The pigs move inside the house and change the Commandments
10) The windmill collapses, so Napoleon has the animals restart on their building
11) Napoleon killed all the 'traitors' among them
12) Beasts of England was abolished
13) Frederick tries to take over the farm
14) Frederick blows up the windmill
Climax:
15) The animals realize that they hadn't won anything, but they had many casualties
Falling Action:
16) Boxer gets injured and Napoleon sells him to be made into glue
17) The pigs walk on two legs
Resolution:
18) The pigs become just like modern man- horrible and demanding
Characterization:
Old Major: a flat, static character; he gives a speech to all the animals on Animal Farm, and dies a week later. He explains that eventually, the animals will revolt against the humans.
Napoleon: A round, static character; He opposes Snowball when he decides to build the windmill, but then exiles him and resumes Snowball's plans. His viewpoint on possessing power never alters throughout the book.
Squealer: A round, static character; he is a very convincing speaker; a pig that sides with Napoleon on most issues; he could very easily persuade the animals on almost any subject
Snowball: A round, static character; He opposes Napoleon and wants to build a windmill to save work for the animals, but is exiled when the animals are ready to vote on the windmill; Snowball is exiled early in the book and never makes another appearance.
Boxer: A round, dynamic character; originally, he agrees with everything that Napoleon says, but towards the end of the book, he opposes Squealer and realizes that their battles didn't win them anything at all.
Mr. Jones: A flat, static character; he is the original owner of Manor Farm, when the animals revolt and take it over, renaming it "Animal Farm". He is severely disliked by all the animals and loses his attempt to recapture the farm.
Old Major: a flat, static character; he gives a speech to all the animals on Animal Farm, and dies a week later. He explains that eventually, the animals will revolt against the humans.
Napoleon: A round, static character; He opposes Snowball when he decides to build the windmill, but then exiles him and resumes Snowball's plans. His viewpoint on possessing power never alters throughout the book.
Squealer: A round, static character; he is a very convincing speaker; a pig that sides with Napoleon on most issues; he could very easily persuade the animals on almost any subject
Snowball: A round, static character; He opposes Napoleon and wants to build a windmill to save work for the animals, but is exiled when the animals are ready to vote on the windmill; Snowball is exiled early in the book and never makes another appearance.
Boxer: A round, dynamic character; originally, he agrees with everything that Napoleon says, but towards the end of the book, he opposes Squealer and realizes that their battles didn't win them anything at all.
Mr. Jones: A flat, static character; he is the original owner of Manor Farm, when the animals revolt and take it over, renaming it "Animal Farm". He is severely disliked by all the animals and loses his attempt to recapture the farm.
Chapter Review:
Chapter One:
Predict: Animals will create a plan to overthrow the humans; two animals will fued; one animal will die
Images:
Chapter One:
Predict: Animals will create a plan to overthrow the humans; two animals will fued; one animal will die
Images:
Clarify: Old Major sparked a rebellion; Mr. Jones could have shot one of his animals; the animals can communicate
Questions: Did anybody hear the animals singing? Can people hear "The Beasts of England"? Where did the song originate and why?
Connections: I have read all about rebellions in history; I know all rebellions need a starting point- a spark, an ignition
Summary: Old Major, a respected pig, gives a speech to all the animals, and warns them that a revolt will happen eventually. He doesn't know when, but he does know it will happen. Also, he teaches them "The Beasts of England".
Chapter Two
Predict: Old Major will die, a meeting about a windmill will happen; a new pig will take charge
Images:
Questions: Did anybody hear the animals singing? Can people hear "The Beasts of England"? Where did the song originate and why?
Connections: I have read all about rebellions in history; I know all rebellions need a starting point- a spark, an ignition
Summary: Old Major, a respected pig, gives a speech to all the animals, and warns them that a revolt will happen eventually. He doesn't know when, but he does know it will happen. Also, he teaches them "The Beasts of England".
Chapter Two
Predict: Old Major will die, a meeting about a windmill will happen; a new pig will take charge
Images:
Clarify: The animals can spell; they wrote their own commandments on the front of a barn; they can apparently set up ladders
Questions: Wouldn't the paint wash off the barn when it rains? The animals don't know how to talk back? How do animals milk the cows?
Connections: In the bible, people were given commandments as well, but eventually the commandments were edited and abused
Summary: The animals rebelled and took over the farm. They created their own commandments, and sing "The Beasts of England" regularly
Chapter Three
Predict: Somebody will get caught for stealing the milk; All the animals will learn to fend for themselves; Napoleon and Snowball will get into a huge argument.
Images:
Questions: Wouldn't the paint wash off the barn when it rains? The animals don't know how to talk back? How do animals milk the cows?
Connections: In the bible, people were given commandments as well, but eventually the commandments were edited and abused
Summary: The animals rebelled and took over the farm. They created their own commandments, and sing "The Beasts of England" regularly
Chapter Three
Predict: Somebody will get caught for stealing the milk; All the animals will learn to fend for themselves; Napoleon and Snowball will get into a huge argument.
Images:
Clarify: The pigs were stealing the milk; Pigs made themselves appear more important than the rest of the animals; The pigs were greedy
Questions: Didn't the animals care that they were being robbed? How did the puppies Napoleon stole survive? Weren't the mothers of the puppies angry?
Connections: There are many people who think they are better and more privileged than others- similar to the pigs; also, I have seen some guards that look like they have no idea who they are protecting.
Summary: The animals harvested the corn, and the pigs basically announced that they were more important than the other animals.
Chapter Four
Predict: Some animals will argue with the pigs; The animals will rebel against the pigs; The pigs will be driven out of Animal Farm
Images:
Questions: Didn't the animals care that they were being robbed? How did the puppies Napoleon stole survive? Weren't the mothers of the puppies angry?
Connections: There are many people who think they are better and more privileged than others- similar to the pigs; also, I have seen some guards that look like they have no idea who they are protecting.
Summary: The animals harvested the corn, and the pigs basically announced that they were more important than the other animals.
Chapter Four
Predict: Some animals will argue with the pigs; The animals will rebel against the pigs; The pigs will be driven out of Animal Farm
Images:
Clarify: The humans failed at recapturing the farm; Jones gun was a memento of the Battle of Cowshed; Napoleon lied through his teeth to make all the animals support him
Questions: Do all of the animals believe in Napoleon? Why do all of the animals respect Squealer? What is preventing Squealer from trying to take power?
Connections: Similar to the American Revolution, when the British came to reclaim America- they were repelled; Also, we have our flag as a memento of our independence
Summary: Snowball and Boxer received medals for their valor in the Battle of Cowshed, and the animals took possession of Jones's gun as a memory of the rebellion.
Questions: Do all of the animals believe in Napoleon? Why do all of the animals respect Squealer? What is preventing Squealer from trying to take power?
Connections: Similar to the American Revolution, when the British came to reclaim America- they were repelled; Also, we have our flag as a memento of our independence
Summary: Snowball and Boxer received medals for their valor in the Battle of Cowshed, and the animals took possession of Jones's gun as a memory of the rebellion.
Chapter 5
Predict: A windmill will be built; animals will be overthrown; More medals will be awarded
Images:
Predict: A windmill will be built; animals will be overthrown; More medals will be awarded
Images:
Clarify: Snowball was exiled; No animal spoke up and rebelled against Napoleon; and Napoleon just took over, with the animals simply accepting it
Questions: Why were the animals okay with it? Why did no animal join Snowball? Why were the dogs so heartless and cruel?
Connections: Trotsky was exiled as well during the Russian Revolution; Some people are sent into exile for opposing a powerful person (ie- a king or queen)
Summary: Snowball was run out of Animal Farm, by Napoleon's guard dogs, and Napoleon took over the farm.
Questions: Why were the animals okay with it? Why did no animal join Snowball? Why were the dogs so heartless and cruel?
Connections: Trotsky was exiled as well during the Russian Revolution; Some people are sent into exile for opposing a powerful person (ie- a king or queen)
Summary: Snowball was run out of Animal Farm, by Napoleon's guard dogs, and Napoleon took over the farm.
Chapter 6
Predict: Snowball will come back; Napoleon will fight Snowball; Snowball will die fighting Napoleon
Images:
Images:
Clarify: The animals believed that Napoleon supported the windmill all along; The Commandments were altered; No animal called out the alter
Questions: Napoleon blames Snowball for knocking the windmill over; the animals begin to rebuild; Napoleon gives Snowball a death sentence.
Connections: In the video game Borderlands 2, Handsome Jack also offers a bounty over your head and puts the death sentence on you; also, similar destruction have happened due to saboteurs in real wars
Summary: The animals awake to find the fruits of their labors totally destroyed, and learned that they have to start from scratch, with an even thicker inner wall- meaning more work than before.
Questions: Napoleon blames Snowball for knocking the windmill over; the animals begin to rebuild; Napoleon gives Snowball a death sentence.
Connections: In the video game Borderlands 2, Handsome Jack also offers a bounty over your head and puts the death sentence on you; also, similar destruction have happened due to saboteurs in real wars
Summary: The animals awake to find the fruits of their labors totally destroyed, and learned that they have to start from scratch, with an even thicker inner wall- meaning more work than before.
Chapter 7
Predict: Animals will die of exhaustion; Some animals will rebel; Snowball will return
Images:
Images:
Clarify: The hens went on strike; Napoleon put them on lockout; and Snowball was said to be re-appearing at night
Questions: Did the hens convince any other animals to join them? How many eggs do the hens lay a day? Why would Napoleon promise so many eggs to Mr. Whymper?
Connections: People still go on strike, even today; Also, eggs are very expensive for some reason..
Summary: The animals began to rebuild; the hens went on strike against Napoleon, so he cut their rations, and many 'traitorous animals' were mass-murdered in front of all the animals of Animal Farm.
Questions: Did the hens convince any other animals to join them? How many eggs do the hens lay a day? Why would Napoleon promise so many eggs to Mr. Whymper?
Connections: People still go on strike, even today; Also, eggs are very expensive for some reason..
Summary: The animals began to rebuild; the hens went on strike against Napoleon, so he cut their rations, and many 'traitorous animals' were mass-murdered in front of all the animals of Animal Farm.
Chapter 8
Predict: The animals will rebel against Napoleon; Snowball will return; Justice will be served to Napoleon
Images:
Images:
Clarify: All the animals were finally realizing Napoleon's wrongdoings; Boxer had an epiphany; Squealer was no longer convincing the animals to his point of view
Questions: Why did it take the animals so long to see Napoleon as a bad leader? Did the animals realize Napoleon was getting drunk? How did the pigs not notice the whiskey before?
Connections: The British attempted to capture America many times in the past; Some people have epiphanies
Summary: The animals "saved" the farm; Napoleon drinks alcohol; and squealer is caught painting on the barn
Questions: Why did it take the animals so long to see Napoleon as a bad leader? Did the animals realize Napoleon was getting drunk? How did the pigs not notice the whiskey before?
Connections: The British attempted to capture America many times in the past; Some people have epiphanies
Summary: The animals "saved" the farm; Napoleon drinks alcohol; and squealer is caught painting on the barn
Chapter 9
Predict: Napoleon will be overthrown; Snowball will return; Animal Farm will prosper
Images:
Images:
Clarify: The animals are very, very dumb. They are entirely oblivious to their surroundings. Napoleon deserves to be overthrown.
Questions: WHY AREN'T THE ANIMALS REVOLTING?!? How can anybody do anything as cruel as sell a horse to be slaughtered in exchange for ALCOHOL?!?!
Connections: My father was an alcoholic. I personally have seen people do many things that most people wouldn't have the heart to do. I can't stand alcohol. At all.
Summary: Napoleon sold Boxer to be slaughtered and made into glue in exchange for a case of beer.
Questions: WHY AREN'T THE ANIMALS REVOLTING?!? How can anybody do anything as cruel as sell a horse to be slaughtered in exchange for ALCOHOL?!?!
Connections: My father was an alcoholic. I personally have seen people do many things that most people wouldn't have the heart to do. I can't stand alcohol. At all.
Summary: Napoleon sold Boxer to be slaughtered and made into glue in exchange for a case of beer.
Chapter 10
Predict: Napoleon will die. Animal Farm will be taken over. Chaos will reign.
Images:
Images:
Clarify: The pigs totally brainwashed the animals. This book is EXTREMELY UPSETTING. Some people are just that cruel.
Questions: None. Totally lost for words. How could the animals bear this? How do they stand it? How do they not do something?
Connections: Jewish people during WWII did the same thing as the animals. They stayed quiet and did not rebel. Why?
Summary: The pigs mimicked the humans in every way imaginable. They even walked on two legs and wore clothes. They manipulated the entire farm. I conclude.
Questions: None. Totally lost for words. How could the animals bear this? How do they stand it? How do they not do something?
Connections: Jewish people during WWII did the same thing as the animals. They stayed quiet and did not rebel. Why?
Summary: The pigs mimicked the humans in every way imaginable. They even walked on two legs and wore clothes. They manipulated the entire farm. I conclude.
Themes:
Power Corrupts: In the book, the theme 'power corrupts' can be seen throughout the entire book. For example, being a co-leader with Snowball wasn't enough for Napoleon. He instead drove Snowball into exile in search of gaining power. Also, Napoleon has the Commandments changed several times throughout the book, showing his hunger for power.
The Past Always Will Repeat Itself: This theme is a little bit harder to find in the book, but it does show itself. It appears when looking at the first animal rebellion. All of the animals disrespected Mr. Jones. They were underfed and worked nearly to death. Thus, they drove Mr. Jones out of the farm. However, once Napoleon took power, the animals ended up no better than when Mr. Jones was in charge. They were still underfed and far over-worked.
There is never enough: This theme shows up when taking into account Napoleon's constant changes to the farm. First, he allows the pigs to eat the apples and drink the milk. Later, he moves into the house and sleeps in a bed. Eventually he gives himself more rations and even drinks alcohol. This fact proves that there is never enough of something to fulfill a human's unlimited desires. #greed
Power Corrupts: In the book, the theme 'power corrupts' can be seen throughout the entire book. For example, being a co-leader with Snowball wasn't enough for Napoleon. He instead drove Snowball into exile in search of gaining power. Also, Napoleon has the Commandments changed several times throughout the book, showing his hunger for power.
The Past Always Will Repeat Itself: This theme is a little bit harder to find in the book, but it does show itself. It appears when looking at the first animal rebellion. All of the animals disrespected Mr. Jones. They were underfed and worked nearly to death. Thus, they drove Mr. Jones out of the farm. However, once Napoleon took power, the animals ended up no better than when Mr. Jones was in charge. They were still underfed and far over-worked.
There is never enough: This theme shows up when taking into account Napoleon's constant changes to the farm. First, he allows the pigs to eat the apples and drink the milk. Later, he moves into the house and sleeps in a bed. Eventually he gives himself more rations and even drinks alcohol. This fact proves that there is never enough of something to fulfill a human's unlimited desires. #greed
Motifs:
Change: Change is probably the most common appearing motif in the story. This is so because all throughout the book, Napoleon has the Commandments changed. Also, the farm started with two leaders: Napoleon and Snowball, but Napoleon changed that by exiling Snowball.
Work: On Animal Farm, the work just never ends. The animals used to work for Mr. Jones, but they ran him out of the farm. Now they work for Napoleon, who tells them to build a windmill. They happily do, and then have to rebuild it once it collapses. Then it is blown up by Frederick, causing the animals to build it again. After that, the animals build another windmill. For the animals, the work just never ends.
Deception is a third motif in the story. This is a motif because the animals are constantly deceived by Napoleon and Squealer. Whenever Napoleon wants to change something, Squealer goes out and deceives the animals. This happens several times. Especially when the Commandments are altered, when Squealer adds to them. This is a huge part of the book, and is very important to understanding the plot of the story.
Change: Change is probably the most common appearing motif in the story. This is so because all throughout the book, Napoleon has the Commandments changed. Also, the farm started with two leaders: Napoleon and Snowball, but Napoleon changed that by exiling Snowball.
Work: On Animal Farm, the work just never ends. The animals used to work for Mr. Jones, but they ran him out of the farm. Now they work for Napoleon, who tells them to build a windmill. They happily do, and then have to rebuild it once it collapses. Then it is blown up by Frederick, causing the animals to build it again. After that, the animals build another windmill. For the animals, the work just never ends.
Deception is a third motif in the story. This is a motif because the animals are constantly deceived by Napoleon and Squealer. Whenever Napoleon wants to change something, Squealer goes out and deceives the animals. This happens several times. Especially when the Commandments are altered, when Squealer adds to them. This is a huge part of the book, and is very important to understanding the plot of the story.
Symbols:
The flag is a very obvious symbol. The flag in the story represents the animal's Independence from Mr. Jones. It also has another meaning, however- it represents the Republic that Napoleon has complete and utter control over. The animals worship the flag, and most of them do not see the truth behind it.
Another symbol in the story is alcohol. In the story, one of the very first Commandments put forth by the animals was that no animal shall drink alcohol. However, the alcohol represented deception in the fact that once the pigs found it in the basement of the house, all the other Commandments changed as well. the pigs deceived the other animals. And one of the biggest representations for the deception is the alcohol in the story.
The flag is a very obvious symbol. The flag in the story represents the animal's Independence from Mr. Jones. It also has another meaning, however- it represents the Republic that Napoleon has complete and utter control over. The animals worship the flag, and most of them do not see the truth behind it.
Another symbol in the story is alcohol. In the story, one of the very first Commandments put forth by the animals was that no animal shall drink alcohol. However, the alcohol represented deception in the fact that once the pigs found it in the basement of the house, all the other Commandments changed as well. the pigs deceived the other animals. And one of the biggest representations for the deception is the alcohol in the story.
Tone:
The tone of the story Animal Farm is a very serious one. When writing the book, the author portrayed a viewpoint by making the story seem realistic to a degree. For example, Benjamin was a very old mule. Unlike the rest of the animals on the farm, Benjamin was never really open with his thoughts and opinions. He kept to himself. Simply by looking at Benjamin, the reader can tell that the author put forth a serious tone when writing the book.
Another tone put forth by the author is sarcasm. Sarcasm can be seen when examining the novel and the Russian Revolution. The characters in the book strike the people associated in the Revolution very similarly. For example, if the reader pays close attention to the pigs in the story, the conclusion can be drawn that the pigs represent the manipulative people of Russia. By portraying the real people as animals, the author put forth a sarcastic tone.
A third tone in the story is truthfulness. Truthfulness is a very hard tone to pick up on, but it is viewable. By noting the events that took place in the book, the reader can directly correlate the events to what happened during the Russian Revolution. Also, when this is done, by relating the book to the past, people can tell that these kind of things really did happen. Such as when Napoleon (Stalin) drove out Snowball (Trotsky).
Mood:
One mood experienced by the reader is sorrow. Sorrow is experienced when the reader learns of Mr. Jones' cruelty to his animals. It also is experienced when the windmill is blown up, and the reader knows of the hardship the animals will no-doubt have to face all over again. Sorrow is very commonly felt when reading the book.
Another feeling the reader gets is worry. As strange as it sounds, the reader of the book may actually experience worry. This is caused by the reader wondering whether or not animals in our world, our future, will actually revolt against us. The idea that we can't prove that it won't happen is enough to frighten many people. Generally, an average person would probably get worried at some point, as briefly as it may be.
A third feeling the reader gets is hatred. As the story goes on, many people are bound to grow attached to the hard-working animals, such as Boxer. When the reader grows attached, they are likely to feel angry or mad in general if anything happens to their favorite character. For example, when Boxer is sold for glue, many readers experience hatred towards Napoleon and his cruelty to the animals. These same readers probably wish the animals would have revolted again- this time against Napoleon. I am one of those readers.
The tone of the story Animal Farm is a very serious one. When writing the book, the author portrayed a viewpoint by making the story seem realistic to a degree. For example, Benjamin was a very old mule. Unlike the rest of the animals on the farm, Benjamin was never really open with his thoughts and opinions. He kept to himself. Simply by looking at Benjamin, the reader can tell that the author put forth a serious tone when writing the book.
Another tone put forth by the author is sarcasm. Sarcasm can be seen when examining the novel and the Russian Revolution. The characters in the book strike the people associated in the Revolution very similarly. For example, if the reader pays close attention to the pigs in the story, the conclusion can be drawn that the pigs represent the manipulative people of Russia. By portraying the real people as animals, the author put forth a sarcastic tone.
A third tone in the story is truthfulness. Truthfulness is a very hard tone to pick up on, but it is viewable. By noting the events that took place in the book, the reader can directly correlate the events to what happened during the Russian Revolution. Also, when this is done, by relating the book to the past, people can tell that these kind of things really did happen. Such as when Napoleon (Stalin) drove out Snowball (Trotsky).
Mood:
One mood experienced by the reader is sorrow. Sorrow is experienced when the reader learns of Mr. Jones' cruelty to his animals. It also is experienced when the windmill is blown up, and the reader knows of the hardship the animals will no-doubt have to face all over again. Sorrow is very commonly felt when reading the book.
Another feeling the reader gets is worry. As strange as it sounds, the reader of the book may actually experience worry. This is caused by the reader wondering whether or not animals in our world, our future, will actually revolt against us. The idea that we can't prove that it won't happen is enough to frighten many people. Generally, an average person would probably get worried at some point, as briefly as it may be.
A third feeling the reader gets is hatred. As the story goes on, many people are bound to grow attached to the hard-working animals, such as Boxer. When the reader grows attached, they are likely to feel angry or mad in general if anything happens to their favorite character. For example, when Boxer is sold for glue, many readers experience hatred towards Napoleon and his cruelty to the animals. These same readers probably wish the animals would have revolted again- this time against Napoleon. I am one of those readers.