Some short question of the play entitled "Animal Farm". (Part-1).

Some short question of the play entitled “Animal Farm”. (Part-1).

Q. 1. Compare and contrast the characters of Boxer and Mollie.

Ans. Introduction: After reading the story of the novel ‘Animal Farm” we note that Boxer was a patient, dull-minded and faithful animal. He used to work hard more than his strength for the good of the animals of the farm. Mollie was vain and selfish but not intelligent like Boxer. She thought of the kindness of her human masters, not of freedom and sympathy with other animals. Both of them were horses. Boxer was most faithful to the animals under the rule of Animalism. Both Boxer and Clover obeyed the common. teachings. Boxer had fought bravely during the rebellion and the Battle of the Cowshed. On the other hand, Mollie was never interested in Animalism. She showed her cowardice in the Battle of the Cowshed. She had hidden in the beginning of that Battle.

Q. 2. What was the dream of Old Major? Describe it briefly.

Ans. Old Major asked all the animals to go on working hard and unitedly without faltering. They should not pay any heed to the arguments of man about equality. Its reason is that man helps himself after exploiting the animals. With this reason they should work with perfect unity and common help in their struggle for freedom against all men. All animals should work in a friendly manner.

Old Major added that all those with two legs were enemies and those with wings were friends. If they conquered man, his vices were to be avoided because all his habits were evil. All animals should not live in a house, nor they should sleep in a bed. They should not wear clothes. They should avoid Alcohol and Tobacco as well as money and trade. They should not be proud with one another, they should not kill other animals because all animals were equal.

He described his dream to remember the song which his mother used to sing many years ago. He added that he had passed that song to all the animals. He started singing that song celebrating the happy future of the animals of England, Ireland and every land. All the animals begin to sing that happy song.

Q. 3. Describe, in your own words, the Seven Commandments related to the principles of Animalism.

Ans. It was at about six in the morning when all the animals took their breakfast. Napoleon and Snowball called all the animals and Snowball addressed them that the hay-harvest was to begin that day. The pigs stated that they had learnt to read and write from the spelling books of the children of Jones for the past three months. Snowball took a brush and he painted Animal Farm on the gate. The pigs had formulated Seven Commandments about the principles of Animalism. Snowball painted those Seven Commandments on the wall with Squealer who was holding the pot of the paint. They were written in white bold letters which could be read from thirty yards away. Those Seven Commandments are reproduced in the following lines as written in the original text:

1. All going on two legs are enemies.

2. Those that have four legs or wings are friends.

3. No animal to wear clothes.

4. No sleep on bed.

5. No drinking of alcohol.

6. No animal shall kill any other animal.

7. All animals are equal.

Q. 4. Discuss, in your own words, the essential principles of Animalism asserting the new maxim: “Four legs good, two legs bad.”

Ans. During a short time all animals became literate and the pigs who were most intelligent learnt reading and writing soon. The dogs learnt to read well but they did not move more than the Seven Commandments. Benjamin, the donkey learnt reading equal to the pigs. Boxer and Clover were dull in reading so, they found it difficult to join the letters Mollie became conversant with letters and it admired flower decoration.

Some other animals found it difficult to learn more than the letter ‘A’. The sheep, hens and ducks found it very difficult to learn even the Seven Commandments. With this reason Snowball simplified the Seven Commandments to a single maxim “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Thus, the maxim contained the essential principles of Animalism. Then, they could become safe from the influence of humans. All humble animals learnt the new maxim “Four legs good, two legs bad.” It was written above the Seven Commandments in bold letters so that those animals might learn them by heart. This maxim created interest in the sheep which started singing it in their free time.

Napoleon did not take any interest in those committees which were made by Snowball. He did not regard the education of the young animals useful in anyway.

Q. 5. Discuss, in your own words the controversy related to the windmill between Snowball and Napoleon.

Ans. It was the occasion when a controversy between Snowball and Napoleon started. First of all it started with a difference of opinion between them on the sowing of barley and farming of cabbage. Snowball had won often because of his fine speeches but Napoleon continued canvassing for himself.

The sheep disturbed the meetings bleating “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Then Snowball talked about some improvements asking all the animals to drop their dung directly in the fields at different place daily as it would save the labour of cartage but Napoleon expressed his anger and he declared that decision would not be effective. As a result of this the controversy about the windmill started between Snowball and Napoleon. Soon it took the most bitter conflict.

Snowball suggested constructing a windmill there. It could operate a dynamo and supply electrical power to the Animal Farm. The stalls could be made warm during winter and an electric milking machine could be run with that electric power. Snowball also showed to the animals pictures of many fantastic machines which would help the animals to save labour.

Snowball’s plan for a windmill was worked out in a few weeks. Snowball gathered necessary information about the working of the windmill from the books which had belonged to Jones. Napoleon did not cooperate with Snowball from the start because he was against the very idea of the windmill.

Q. 6. Napoleon announced a new policy of trade with the neighbouring farms. Discuss it in your own words.

Ans. Napoleon announced a new policy of trade with the neighbouring farms on Sunday. He added that the trade would not be for any commercial gains but it would be like barter system. The work of the windmill would be regarded more important than any other work. Then, he announced his plan to sell the stock of hay and the part of the wheat stock. If needed they would sell eggs and the hens should be ready for that.

After these announcements, the animals felt uneasy. They thought that those decisions had been made after Jones had been turned out of the farm.. The dogs of Napoleon created terror to the four pigs who tried to discuss out such issues. Napoleon announced that there would be no contact with humans. He added that Mr. Whymper, a Solicitor from Willingdon would act between the Animal Farm and the outside world and he would be given instructions by Napoleon on every Monday. The animals sang “Beasts of England” after Napoleon cried “Long live Animal Farm”.

Squealer convinced the animals that resolutions about the absence of trade and the no use of money were never passed and it was Snowball who had started such an imagination. Some animals had their doubts but Squealer cleared their doubts.

Q. 7. Describe briefly, in your own words, Napoleon as the dictator of the Animal Farm.

Ans. With better organization in the Animal Farm, there was prosperity. Two more fields were purchased from Pilkington. The windmill had become ready with a threshing machine and a hay elevator. New buildings were constructed. The windmill was not used for generating electric power but it was used to make mill corn for more profit. Another windmill was to be built and it would be fitted with dynamos. Napoleon stated that their joy was in hard work and simple living. The farm had become rich but only the pigs and dogs were rich, not the animals in general. The pigs and dogs did not do any work. As regards other animals, their life had not changed and they used to live dull life and they suffered from hunger. The sheep lived on straw, drank water from the common pool and worked in the fields. For Benjamin, life was not better or worse because hunger, hardship and sorrow had become the parts of his life. But the animals were proud of being the members of the Animal Farm in England which was run only by the animals. They could move about singing the song ‘Beasts of England’. They had experience of hunger, hard work, etc. They could feel happy that they were equal and there was no master over them. Clover asked Benjamin if the Seven Commandments were the same as they were written before. Benjamin read out what was written there. There was only one commandment:

“All Animals Are Equal

But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others”

From the next day the pigs started having whips in their hands when they were supervising the farm work. The pigs were given a wireless set, a telephone was also installed. Some magazines were also subscribed. The pigs started wearing the clothes like the humans of Jones and Napoleon put on a black coat, leather leggings and ratcatcher breeches. After a week the farmers from the neighbouring farms started coming to the Animal Farm with a number of dogcarts. They admired the farm but the animals of the farm were in dilemma whether to fear the human visitors or the pigs.