Animal Farm Task 2 Chapter 1

Chapter One

1. What are the different ways in which the animals behave as they come into the barn? What does this tell us about them?

Old Major, the White boar, sat on a bed of straw, on a sort of raised platform, under a lantern which hung from a beam. He was majestic looking with a wise appearance. This tells us that he was somewhat respected and highly regarded on the farm, and got things done his way most of the time.
First came the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie and Pitcher eager to listen to what Old Major has to say. Then came the pigs who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform. The hens perched themselves on the window-sills, the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters, the sheeps and cows lay down behind the pigs and began to chew the cud. Then, two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw.Muriel, the white goat, Benjamin the oldest and worst tempered donkey on the farm then came. Ducklings were present too. Mollie the foolish, white mare, came in flirting her white mane. Last came the cat, who purred contentedly throughout Major's speech. This tells us that the animals were eager to listen to what Old Major had to say and made themselves ready and comfortable in the barn for Old Major's speech.

2. What are your impressions of Benjamin, the donkey?

Benjamin was very bad tempered and seldom spoke. When he did, it was usually to make some cynical, suspicious, wierd remark. He believed that everything was here for a specific reason and he did things only for good reasons. He would only laugh if there was something to laugh at. He was the oldest animal on the farm too.

3. Why do the dogs try to kill the rats?

The dogs regarded the rats as enemies, a pest. They wanted to get rid of them.

4. What is Major's main idea? In what different ways does he repeat this idea?

Major's main idea is to tell the animals on the farm that all animals are comrades and man are enemies. He tells them not to resemble man, do not adopt his vices, and not do what man does. All animals are equal, weak or strong, clever or simple. He then tells about his dream and sing the song 'Beasts of England' to repeat his idea to the animals.

5. 'Beasts of England' is sung very enthusiastically by the animals. Why? Why is it easy to remember for even the stupidest of them?

The song was sang in a stirring tune, and was something between 'Clementine' and 'La Cucuracha', which was easy to catch. The animals were excited and sang the song wholeheartedly and with much believe, zest and passion that helped even the stupidest of the animals to sing it. They even sang it in amazing unision through 5 times in succession and might have continued singing it all night if they had not been interrupted.