Chapter 10 Discussion Questions

1. What do you think those animals who can dimly remember the Rebellion would 'pass on' to the younger animals about it?

They would probably have told them vaguely about why they rebelled, and that the Rebellion was successful. It is unlikely that they would have been able to provide much details since their memories are not that good now. Also, the information they pass on is likely to be Napoleon's version of what happened - making Snowball the bad guy and making him seem like the hero.


2. Orwell uses the phrase 'unalterable law of life' (pg 111) to express Benjamin's ideas. What does Benjamin (and Orwell mean)? Why do you think Orwell chooses the word 'unalterable'?

They mean that "hunger, hardship, and disappointment" were unchanging facts of the animals' lives . Orwell uses the word to show that as long as they animals remain naive, gullible, and refuse to do anything to improve their own lives, they will not get rid of their hunger and hardship. The farm, and the pigs have changed, but only the animals' lives have not changed.


3. Re-read the paragraph beginning 'And yet the animals never gave up hope' (pg 111). What does it tell us of the animals' feelings? In what way is the ending ironic?

The animals are still hopeful and are proud at being members of Animal farm, because they think that they "were still the only farm in the whole country - in all England! - owned and operated by animals." They are filled with wonder and amazement at this. However, the ending is ironic because it shows that it is not the animals who own the farm, but the pigs (who are behaving more and more like humans) who own it. They think they control the farms and their lives, but that is not the case.


4. What point is Orwell making when he has Pilkington compare 'your lower animals' with 'our lower classes' (pg 116)?
He is making the point that regardless of whether a society is made of up humans or animals, there will always be inequality in the form of upper and lower classes. Equality is an ideal or only a dream. There will always be a lower class that is underprivileged and taken advantage of.