Power, Corruption, and Idealism
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The Slippery Slope: The transition from Old Major’s utopian vision to Napoleon’s dictatorship happens
gradually. At what specific point do you think the revolution was truly lost? Was it the milk incident in Chapter 2, or much later?
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The Revision of History: Squealer continually alters the Seven Commandments to justify the pigs' luxuries
(e.g., "with sheets," "to excess"). How does the control of language, memory, and history allow a government to control its people? [1, 2, 3, 4]
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The Rules of Engagement: The sheep are taught to chant "Four legs good, two legs bad," which later changes
to "Four legs good, two legs better." How does shortening complex political ideas into mindless slogans dangerous to a society? [1, 2, 3]
Class and Character Allegory
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Boxer’s Loyalty: Boxer’s mottos are "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right." Does Orwell
intend for us to see Boxer as a tragic hero, or is his blind obedience a warning about the danger of uncritical loyalty? [1, 2]
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The Intellectuals: Benjamin the donkey is cynical, literate, and understands exactly what the pigs are
doing, yet he chooses not to speak out until it is too late. What is Orwell saying about intellectuals who remain silent during political corruption? [1, 2, 3]
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The Elite: Napoleon and Snowball represent different styles of leadership. If Snowball had won the power
struggle instead of Napoleon, do you think Animal Farm would have avoided becoming a dictatorship, or is corruption inevitable when power is concentrated? [1, 2, 3, 4]
Societal Mechanics and Control
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The Need for a Scapegoat: Whenever anything goes wrong on the farm, Napoleon blames the exiled Snowball.
Why is having a common, unseen enemy such an effective tool for a dictator to maintain control? [1]
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Religion and Distraction: Moses the raven talks constantly about "Sugarcandy Mountain," a paradise in the
sky. Why do the pigs initially try to banish him, but later allow him to stay and even give him a beer ration? [1, 2, 3]
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The Final Image: In the famous ending scene, the animals look from pig to man, and man to pig, unable to
tell them apart. What does this say about the nature of political revolutions that overthrow tyrannical regimes? [1, 2, 3]