Animal Farm
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I actually liked the novel, but there are still a few things that confused me. I did get kind of confused when a bunch of the animals would start talking, because I wasn’t really sure who was who. Other than that, I just have a few questions about the novel. Why didn’t Jones come back to the farm after the first little “battle”? Also, why didn’t some of the smarter animals catch on to what was happening with the pigs? I know that the pigs were smarter and good at tricking them, but the others were always persuaded that their memory must have been wrong. Why did the pigs turn into humans at the end? I knew that would happen after they started wearing clothes, but it was kind of confusing around the very end of the story. When I get back to school, I definitely would like to discuss how the power and lies led to this corruption. I would like to talk about the change from what the animal farm was supposed to be like earlier on, and how it ended up because of the pigs. Also, I would like to discuss the change in the pigs and how through all the power and leadership that they received, they grew worse over time.
ReplyDeleteIn this novel I get confused a lot. First of all, I don’t understand why the animals are talking? And if they can talk can they talk to only the other animals or can they also talk to humans? At the beginning I was kind of confused but later on I started to understand it more; but every once in a while there would be a part that I did not understand. Like, I did not understand why Snowball was on Jones’s side for so long and why he didn’t harm the other animals sooner than he did. And also, why did the pigs stay in the farm house if Napoleon, a pig, and Snowball, also a pig, write that they couldn’t stay in the farm house. When we get back to class I would like to discuss how everything turned out with Snowball, if they killed him or if he got away? Or if the animals ended up getting more animals to rebel or if the other animals still obeyed their owners. Did the animals on the farm keep working? Or did they eventually give up? Did Jones come back and try to kill all the animals?
ReplyDeleteAt first, this book was very confusing. I did not understand what kind of animal each of them was. And, when the animals were all having a conversation, it was hard to tell who was talking. Also, why did Mollie leave them for Willingdon Farm? What did Snowball have against them? I don’t understand why the pigs were the ones that were smart and in charge of everybody. If they are that smart, why couldn’t they see that Snowball had been working with Mr. Jones all along? Why didn’t they know that they should have built the windmill with thicker walls in the first place? They should have seen some of the attacks coming, especially from Snowball. They were so determined to take over the farm and rebel against humans. They even had a motto: “four legs good, two legs bad.” But, at the end, the pigs and other animals were walking on two legs, and the motto changed! Also, who was changing the commandments? Why did someone even change them? I don’t think it was fair that the pigs and Napoleon got to sleep in Mr. Jones’ house, eat the food, and sleep in the comfortable beds. When the other animals realized this was happening, they went to look at the commandment. But, they should have realized that the commandment was altered. Some things I would like to discuss about the novel when I get back to school are why the pigs got so much power, how their lies led the other animals to believe false things, and how the commandments changed throughout the events that happened. I would also like to discuss the lessons we have learned from this book. Do we want to be like Napoleon and think too highly of ourselves? Do we want to be like Boxer and work hard and be committed to our duties? All the animals should have been treated fairly.
ReplyDeleteAnimal Farm is a great book, but it’s just hard to follow. I was confused in many places and still don’t understand some things. The first thing I noticed was when events were happening so fast, I didn’t know who would be the one talking. What I would like to talk about when we get back to school is how Nepoleon forced Snowball out of the farm; I never knew why he did it until they said he was working with Jones. At first, it seemed like Nepoleon was making it up just to try to get everyone on his side, but then later it seems like he did betray the farm when all the other animals came forward about them helping him. Did Snowball really bring down the windmill? I would also like to talk about Boxer being taken to the ‘hospital’. It was strange because on the side of the van, it said, “Horse Slaughter”. So, in the end, was Boxer cured or killed? Lastly, at the end when the humans and pigs were in the house sitting and playing cards together, did the pigs somehow magically turn into humans, or did they just look alike because they were doing the same things as the humans?
ReplyDeleteAs I read this novel, I was kind of confused. At the begining of the book it told which kind of animal each character was, but then it never stated it again. Therefore, I didn't know what kind of animal was speaking the majority of the book. Also, I couldn't even tell which character was talking for a while. It would have been helpful if they had talked about Snowball more; because the only time they did refer to him was when the pigs were making up lies. So I wasn't really sure what acctually happend with him. In general,this was a pretty good book. However, I didn't care for the ending. I thought the whole time that the hard working animals would rise up and kick the pigs out and it kind of left you hanging. When we get back to school I would like to discuse the ending of the book more or just the pigs in genral. The pigs just appointed themselves in charge and considered themselves better than everyone else. I was surprised that there wasn't any major rising up or somebody saying something against the pigs.
ReplyDeleteThis book is very strange but its not a bad book. I enjoyed it very much. Throughout the book I was always confused about the Foxwood and Pinchfield farms. I could never remember whcih one was which and if Snowball was there or not. I was also confused at how the pigs seemed to look the same as the humans. I also have questions like how did the animals weed the fields when they have no hands? Was it really that easy to pick up weeds with hoofs? I was also confused about Benjamin. I didn't understand why he wouldn't use his knowledge of reading to help the others and why he would always say random things. Another question I have was how did the pigs all of a sudden get enough money to buy another barrell of whiskey? In class I would like to discuss how the pigs were able to walk on two legs and not have problems with their legs. I'm also curious to know if the nine dogs remembered their parents or if they were to brainwashed by Napoleon.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book and the history it represents. I was somewhat confused on what animals were talking at the beginning. However, I quickly realized who was who and I was able to identify the animals that were talking. I was confused on who the farmers were supposed to be and which farmer was which. I was also confused on the location of Snowball. Which farm was he at? Pinchfield or Foxwood? I also did not understand who Moses, the raven, was supposed to represent. What exactly is Sugarcandy Mountain? Another question I have is how did the animals get the supplies for the windmill and how would they actually build the windmill? How was Boxer able to carry huge stones by himself without stopping all day, considering he is a horse? In class I would like to discuss how very political and specific this novel was and how relates to the Soviet Union and the socialist takeover.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned this book to an older friend I was traveling with this summer prior to reading it and having had a little bit of Russian history last year in World History, I knew that this book was probably a satire of the Russian Revolution and what happened afterwards; and being somewhat confused as to the role of these animals after I had finished reading it, I researched the true meaning of *Animal Farm* and learned how very specific Orwell was with his characters. And after learning more about Tsar Nicholas II, Lenin, Marx and Stalin, and then reading these commentaries I had found, it became much easier to understand and follow in hindsight. Without the background information about the war in 1917 and what followed with those other historical men, this book wouldn't make a lot of sense to today's young reader especially since the USSR doesn't even exist in 2012. But, I do see how important it is to learn from history and not forget its lessons. So, with my friend's foresight as to what I would be reading about and the research later, I'm not too confused any more.
ReplyDeleteDo I have any questions: I do not really have any questions about this book. I understood it quite well because before I started reading it, Mr. Frescoln told me that it was a metaphor for communism.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the novel: I really enjoyed this novel and the only real question I have is why Napoleon sent boxer off to the knackers. He was still a good worker and a valuable asset to the farm, even though he was getting old.
What I would like to discuss when I get back to school: I would like to talk about the “battle of cowshed” because that was my favorite part of the book. I would also like to discuss the building of the windmill and why Snowball left.
I really wasn't that confused about the novel, but the only thing that really confused me the most was which animal was talking at the time. I wasn't sure which was which because of all the speeches they made. I ended up really liking this novel. I liked how most of the animals worked as a team during most parts of the book. However, I didn't like the fact that Napoleon was always taking advantage of the animals. Also, I didn't like how easily persuaded the animals were. Some things in this novel I do have questions on though. In the end, why did the pigs all of a sudden turn into humans? Also, where did all the money come from that the pigs spent on whiskey? Did they get some of the money from the neighboring farms? When I get back to school, I would like to discuss some things about Snowball. He was so clever and smart. He always used his smarts to help the other animals. I would also like to discuss more about how Animal Farm was on earlier in the book when Mr. Jones was the authority. Was it really as bad as the animals put it? The final thing I would like to discuss is how much Napoleon was like Joseph Stalin.
ReplyDeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed reading Animal Farm. It was an interesting read and I would recommend to others. When I return to school I would like some elaboration on the Russian Revolution. The novel clearly has deep connections and symbolism in it's characters and plot. I have identified some of the main figures (i.e. Napoleon representing Stalin)Knowing more on that subject would help me understand the book's symbolism more. Other than that I have had no confusion on the novel.
ReplyDeleteSome major questions I had about this book: Why were the pigs higher up than the other animals? Why did Old Major want to rebel against the humans? Why did all the animals agree with him and listen to his advice when he was on his last days? I got incredibly confused with the communication between the animals! The book would say something about a certain animal and I had no clue at all which character he or she was. It got to be annoying after a while, I would have to flip back and check who it was talking about. Other than the constant flipping, I enjoyed this novel! It was cool to see the animals communicate and hang out. I liked when they had meetings, or sang Beasts of England. I liked when they always said, “Four legs good, two legs bad” so they could understand humans being bad in an easier way. I liked the seven commandments written on the wall. It was cool they could look there for courage and to remember their values. When we get back to school next week I would like to discuss what everyone else thought about the pigs being so much higher up than the other animals. I would like to hear everyone else’s thoughts on the rebellion and why the animals wanted to do it.
ReplyDeleteI liked this book, but it was somewhat confusing. Especially where there was multiple dialog, it was difficult following which animal was talking. It would have helped if the author made more clear who was speaking in the story. I got confused on which animal was which too. I also didn't understand why Snowball never came back to Animal Farm after Napoleon had chased him off. At first, when Napoleon said Snowball was working with Jones all along, I thought Napoleon was lying. But then, when the windmill had fallen over, I wasn't sure if Snowball had knocked it down or not. I never understood if Snowball had been on Jones' side. At the end of the book, I didn't understand if the pigs had turned into humans, or if they just looked like the humans. Also, what did Moses, the raven, mean when he was talking about Sugarcandy Mountain? In class, I would like to discuss what happened to Snowball and who kept changing the seven commandments. I was confused on who changed the commandments and why they did it. Was it Squealer or Napoleon? I would also like to discuss why none of the animals spoke up to any of the pigs. Some of the smarter animals seemed to have an idea of how the pigs were becoming more and more like the humans, but why didn't the animals do anything about it?
ReplyDeleteI liked Animal Farm, but I also had some confusion. First, why were the humans so dumb? When they tried to take animal farm back over, they should have easily won. I also wondered how the animals were able hook up plows and stuff after the humans were gone, since they had no hands. I had many questions about the book. First, why were the pigs in charge? Why did the author chose pigs over horses, or cows? Why did he decide to make the pigs the smartest animals on the farm? The pigs were clever but the rest of the animals were just dumb. They were tricked out of so much freedom by Napoleon and they were too dumb to realize it. I guess Squealer was just that good at convincing. I really liked this book, but I did not like the ending. The whole time the situation was getting worse and worse for the animals and I thought, this will be great, they will have another revolution, but they didn't. The book just ended with the pig's acting like humans and the rest of the animals were right back where they started. I would like to discuss this at school. I want to hear other's opinions about this. I would also like to discuss my first question, and see why they thought the pigs were way smarter than the rest of the animals.
ReplyDeleteI really actually enjoyed the animal farm book but I did have a few questions. One of the things in animal farm that actually really confused me near the beginning of the book was the dialog; sometimes I couldn’t really tell which of the animals was talking when. Another thing that I couldn’t really grasp was that the author used pigs as the dominant animal in charge. I never really got that. I mean the pigs defiantly weren’t the biggest or strongest animals, even though in the book they were the smartest. I still never really got that, because in real life most people would think of pigs as the fat smelly things that live in mud and the author used them as the dominant breed over the whole farm. When we get back to school I would also like to talk about why the author chose pigs, and how the pigs got stuff. Did they just go to the store and buy it? Was that normal to people in this book? Also, why did snowball leave, like why couldn’t he stick it out and stay? Other than those things the book was overall a pretty good book and wasn’t too much more confusing after that.
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