Animal Farm

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. At the start of the novel, Major has a beautiful dream of a utopia, but his vision is never realized. Do you think a true utopian society is possible? Why or why not?

2. Although the pigs profess ideals of equality at first, they soon fall to the temptation of corruption. What can be done to help curb corruption and bolster equality?

3. Education is one of the animals’ most important sources of empowerment. Within your own life, how has your education shaped and empowered you?

4. Most of the animals fail to recognize or oppose Napoleon’s mounting tyranny. Have you ever been in a situation where you were tempted to go along with the majority opinion, even though it went against your best interests? How did you handle the situation?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Did the novel and its characters give you a new understanding of the Bolshevik Revolution and Stalin’s dictatorship? Why or why not?

2. Animal Farm illustrates how those in authority can abuse the power of education through indoctrination and limitations on others’ access to information. What lessons does this offer contemporary conversations about education and censorship?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Although corruption abounds in the novel, Orwell’s story offers a consistent message about holding onto hope for equality. Identify specific moments in the text that offer glimpses of equality. How does this theme impact the novel’s overall meaning?

2. How does the song “Beasts of England” symbolize the animals’ dream of Rebellion? Identify the Rebellion’s ideals by citing specific evidence from the lyrics. What is the symbolic significance of Napoleon abolishing the song?

3. How does the windmill devolve from a symbol of the animals’ dreams to a representation of their dashed hopes over the course of the novel?  

4. How does Orwell present Snowball and Napoleon as foil characters? Consider their personality traits, names’ symbolism, and historical counterparts in your response.