Independent+Novel+Study


 * Justin Sadlemyer**

**Book : Animal Farm** **Pages: 1-23** **Date : December 9, 2010**

What information did you need to know before reading the novel? Before reading the novel I needed to know that I would want to look forward to reading chapter after chapter and being very eager about the novel. Now as it has been quite the long time since i have read or book or even skimmed through a book in along time I needed the book to excite me and make me want to get back into reading again. This way, if i enjoy the novel then maybe it will get back into reading as I have not done so for the longest time.

=What's going on as the story begins? =

At the beginning of the story you are introduced to the characters Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the owners of Manor Farm. As you read on and progress through the story you learn that the animals on the farm have a strong hate for Mr. Jones, and the entire human race. Major, an old and wise pig is planning a rebellion against the humans and is convincing the other animals to rebel along side him to seek revenge for animals in the past, present and future!

=**Why did you select this novel? ** =

I  chose to read Animal Farm because strictly remember the name George Orwell. This novel, in my opinion, is his best novel. The story of his that has stuck in my head is "Clergyman's Daughter". As I have had a taste of his Georges work I could not wait to read this book as his previous book left me wanting more. I have heard a wide variety of opinions on Animal Farm and i would like to out my own opinion on it. I would have chosen to read this novel earlier but i just do not have the will to just freely read a book like others but now that it is easily available to me i would enjoy reading it.

Summary

When the owner of Manor farm, Mr. Jones, falls asleep drunk, all of his animals begin to meet in the barn at the request of old Major. The Major is a 12-year-old pig that delivers encouraging speech about the harm inflicted upon them by their human owners. Their need to rebel against the tyranny of Man needs to be imminent. After collaborating on the multiple ways that Man has harmed the animals, Major mentions a dream in which he envisioned an earth without humans. The Major teaches the animals of a song known as "Beasts of England" which they sing repeatedly in the barn until they awaken Jones. Jones, after being suddenly awaken, fires his gun from his bedroom window at the barn. Frightened by the shot, the animals disperse and go to sleep. The death of old Major leaves the other animals discretely planning the rebellion, although they are unsure when this rebellion will occur. Because of their higher level of intelligence, the pigs are placed in charge of educating the animals about Animalism, the name given to the philosophy conjured by Major. Among the pigs, Snowball and Napoleon are the most important to the revolution. The rebellion occurs when Jones again falls asleep drunk and forgets to feed the animals, who break into the shed in a desperate search for a meal. Jones then seeks the help of his men and when they arrive, they begin whipping the animals. As they do so they find themselves quickly overrun and flee from the farm. The animals embark on a victorious rampage to destroy all that reminds them of the dreadful Mr. Jones. One of the pigs, Snowball, changes the sign reading "Manor Farm" to "Animal Farm" and then paints the Seven Commandments of Animalism on the wall of the barn. Then animals find it more time consuming and difficult to harvest the crops then Jones and his men did with ease as they have to use the Human tools designed for Humans. On Sundays, the animals meet in the big barn to listen to Snowball and Napoleon debate a number of topics on which they seem never to agree on, ever. Snowball attempts to create numerous Animal Committees, all of which fail. However, he does find success when he educates the animals in a degree of literacy. To help the animals understand the general precepts of Animalism, Snowball reduces the Seven Commandments to a single slogan: "Four legs good, two legs bad." Napoleon, meanwhile, focuses his energy on educating the youth and takes the infant pups of Jessie and Bluebell away from their mothers, presumably for educational purposes. The animals learn that the cows' milk and windfallen apples are mixed every day into the pigs' mash. When the animals object, Squealer explains that the pigs need the milk and apples to sustain themselves as they work for the benefit of all the other animals.

10/10


 * Justin Sadlemyer **

**Book: Animal Farm** **Pages : Chapter 4 and 5** **Date : December 10, 2010**

Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events?

The style that George Orwell used when writing this novel is in a very upfront and descriptive kind of way. He strings together sentences that makes it possible for the simplest of readers can follow his transitions and explanations. The strong use of foreshadowing by George makes it again very easy to predict upcoming events in the story which makes this novel easy to follow and read whats happening in the story.

Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? GIve examples and explain.

I found the language within the story to be quite basic except for at times when the intelligent pigs use their words of wisdom. A person with a low reading level would easily get through the story, with occasional difficulty from the pigs dialog, but nothing that couldn't be understood by figuring out the the general context of the sentence. The language of the story is very well written, and helps it to be read smoothly.

What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?

The setting of the story takes place on Animal Farm, previously called Manor Farm. You must pay attention to the detail of the farm as the setting is quite important, as the plot of the story is based on the animals taking vengeance against the humans by taking over the farm. A very broad description of the setting in the story is in by saying it takes place in England, but I feel that with a few tiny changes, the farm could be located anywhere throughout the world considering that the climate and weather follows that of the book. The farm is perfect for the story, and placing it here gives many interesting events for he animals to take part in during their conquest to overtake the farm.

Summary

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As summer ends and and the word of this rebellion spreads from Animal Farm to other farms (by way of pigeons released by Snowball and Napoleon), Jones spends most of his time in a pub, complaining about his troubles to two neighboring farmers: Pilkington and Frederick. In October, Jones and a group of men arrive at Animal Farm and attempt to seize control if it. Snowball turns out to be an extraordinary tactician and, with the help of the other animals, drives Jones and his men away. The animals then celebrate their victory in what they call "The Battle of the Cowshed." Winter comes, and Mollie works less and less. Eventually, Clover discovers that Mollie is being bribed off Animal Farm by one of Pilkington's men, who eventually wins her loyalties. Mollie disappears, and the pigeons report seeing her standing outside a pub, sporting one of the ribbons that she always coveted. The pigs increase their influence on the farm, deciding all questions of policy and then offering their decisions to the animals, who must ratify them by a majority vote. Snowball and Napoleon continue their fervent debates, the greatest of which occurs over the building of a windmill on a knoll. Snowball argues in favor of the windmill, which he is certain will eventually become a labor-saving device; Napoleon argues against it, saying that building the windmill will take time and effort away from the more important task of producing food. The two also disagree on whether they should (as Napoleon thinks) amass an armory of guns or (as Snowball thinks) send out more pigeons to neighboring farms to spread news of the rebellion. On the Sunday that the plan for the windmill is to be put to a vote, Napoleon calls out nine ferocious dogs, who chase Snowball off the farm. Napoleon then announces that all debates will stop and institutes a number of other new rules for the farm. Three weeks after Snowball's escape, Napoleon surprises everybody by announcing that the windmill will be built. He sends Squealer to the animals to explain that the windmill was really Napoleon's idea all along and that the plans for it were stolen from him by Snowball.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">10/10

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Justin Sadlemyer

**Book: Animal Farm** **Pages: Chapter 7 and 8** **Date: January 5, 2011**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I think that in general the targeted audience is between 10-14 years old. I noticed that throughout the entire novel a wide variety of language difficulty was used. The complexity of speech varies in the novel but most importantly it requires a knowledgeable mind to understand the upper class level of speech spoken by the pigs.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The main message or theme of the story is expressed and easily seen in the beginning few chapters. The day the animals took over the farm was the day that it all started. When they did kick the humans off the farm they instantly became independent on their own survival. The animal metaphorically bite the hand that fed them, which is proven in the story to be quite the mistake.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I would recommend this novel to all of my friends just because I find it fantastically entertaining. Just imagining all of these animals that reside on Animal Farm, all engaging in conversation and debating battle strategies against the Human race is utterly hilarious. This is the main reason I would recommend this novel to all of my friends because they share the same sense of humor as me.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Summary

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">When the humans actively watch Animal Farm and anticipate the breaking news of its incompetence and failure to manage the farm, the animals begin to struggle against starvation. After learning that they must surrender their eggs, the hens stage a demonstration that only ends when they can no longer live without the rations that Napoleon had denied them. Nine hens die as a result of the protest.The animals are led to believe that Snowball is visiting the farm at night and spitefully subverting their labor. He becomes a constant threat to the animals' security, and Squealer eventually tells the animals that Snowball has sold himself to Frederick and that he was in league with Jones from the very beginning.One day in spring, Napoleon calls a meeting of all the animals, during which he forces confessions from all those who had questioned him and then has them murdered by the dogs. Numerous animals also confess to crimes that they claim were instigated by Snowball. Eventually, the singing of "Beasts of England" is outlawed and a new song by Minimus, Napoleon's pig-poet, is instituted, although the animals do not find the song as meaningful as their previous anthem.Napoleon begins to grow more powerful and as a result he is seen in public less often. The general opinion of him is expressed in a poem by Minimus that lists his merits and virtues. More executions occur while Napoleon schemes to sell a pile of timber to Frederick — who is alternately rumored to be a sadistic torturer of animals and the victim of unfounded gossip. The next morning, Frederick and 14 men arrive at Animal Farm and attempt to take it by force. The animals are completely enraged and drive the men from the farm. Squealer explains to the bleeding animals that, despite what they may think, they were actually victorious in what will hereafter be called "The Battle of the Windmill". A few days proceeding these events, the pigs venture in Jones' cellar and come across a crate of Whiskey. After drinking too much of it, Napoleon fears he is dying and decrees that the drinking of alcohol is punishable by death. Two days later, however, Napoleon feels better and orders the small paddock to be ploughed and planted with barley. Finnaly, Napoleon adjusts the the Commandments and adds that "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."


 * Justin Sadlemyer**


 * Book: Animal Farm**
 * Pages: Chapter 9**
 * Date: January 5th**

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> George Orwell did an excellent job at grabbing and holding on to my attention in the story by thickening the plot and adding a lot of unexpected twists. When the animals start to fight for power, it kept me interested with all the added conflict.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Is the novel believable?

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; line-height: 18px;">Anyone person that has read Animal Farm, can come to the conclusion that it is not a believable novel. In reality, animals could not have the thought process to overtake a farm. They wouldn't be able to work machines and run out humans. And more obviously, animals cannot talk.

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Why did the novel meet your expectations?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This brilliant novel without a doubt fully met my expectations. I did not have my expectations set too high when I knew I was ready a story about talking animals that run a farm, but I was quickly immersed in this overwhelmingly exciting novel that was action packed with a lot of twists and surprises to keep me interested.

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Summary

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The Animals on Animal Farm felt invigorated after celebrating their triumphant victory against Frederick, that they immediately begun building a new windmill. Their efforts are again led by Boxer who has lead the entire farm in efforts to survive from day one of over-taking the farm. Food supplies continue to run out, but Squealer explains that they actually have more food and better lives than they have ever known. The four sows litter 31 piglets; Napoleon, the father of all of them, orders a schoolroom to be built for their education. Meanwhile, more and more of the animals' rations are reduced while the pigs continue to grow fatter. Animal Farm is eventually proclaimed a Republic, and Napoleon is elected President. Once his hoof heals, Boxer works as hard as he can at building the windmill — until the day he collapses because of a lung ailment. After he is helped back to his stall, Squealer informs them that Napoleon has sent for the veterinarian at Willingdon to treat him. When the van arrives to take Boxer to the hospital, however, Benjamin reads its side and learns that Boxer is actually being taken to a knacker, or glue-boiler. Clover screams to Boxer to escape, but the old horse is too weak to kick his way out of the van, which drives away. Boxer is never seen again. To placate the animals, Squealer tells them that Boxer was not taken to a knacker but that the veterinarian had bought the knacker's truck and had not yet repainted the words on its side. The animals are relieved when they hear this. The chapter ends with a grocer's van delivering a crate of whisky to the pigs, who drink it all and do not arise until after noon the following day.


 * Justin Sadlemyer**

**Book: Animal Farm** **Pages: Chapter 10** **Date: January 11th**

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The problems do not seem to stop after the first issue of a food shortage. When the hens find out that they will have to give up their eggs this also becomes a big issue as the hens become very stubborn and hesitant. Another uprising problem is some of the animals have not been doing their necessary chores around the farm and on top of that they have been eating the food and doing no work. These problems are fixed when the pigs put a stronger surveillance on the animals as they work and making sure every animal is working.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">What is the climax of the Novel?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The rising action that leads up to the climax is when all human remnants are removed from Manor Farm and the farm is given a new name, Animal Farm. Shortly after this moment leads to the climactic event that is the animals on Animal Farm are now surviving without the cruel Human Mr. Jones. The animals quickly become very organized and are living a life that no other animal across England has ever lived before.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">How are the major and minor conflicts solved?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The major conflict, being Mr. Jones' cruel ruling over the animals, working them day in and day out with little rest and minuscule food portions. The animals put up a rebellion and rid Jones and his men from the farm permanently. A smaller conflict such as the pigs receiving more food than the other more hard working animals is resolved when the pigs assure the others that their well-being is vital to the farms existence and they need this "brain food".

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Summary

As the Years pass, and Animal Farm undergoes its final changes. Many have died so far on Animal Farm, Muriel, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher are all dead. Jones dies in an inebriates' home. Clover is now two years past his retirement age at 14 years old and insists he cannot retire. There has been a mass increase to Animal Farm's overall size after more animals are on the farm, and increasing the farms boundaries, all thanks to the purchase of two of Pilkington's fields. One afternoon, Clover sees an unbelievable sight as he watches Squealer walking on his hind legs. Other pigs follow, and to Clovers disbelief, walking the same way, and Napoleon also emerges from the farmhouse carrying a whip in his trotter. Clover also notices that the wall on which the Seven Commandments were written has been repainted: Now, the wall simply reads, "All Animals Are Equal, But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others". A few days proceeding theses events, all the pigs begin carrying whips and wearing Jones' clothes. In the novel's final scene, a deputation of neighbouring farmers are given a tour of the farm, after which they meet in the dining-room of the farmhouse with Napoleon and the other pigs. Mr. Pilkington makes a toast to Animal Farm and its efficiency. Napoleon then offers a speech in which he outlines his new policies: The word "comrade" will be suppressed, there will be no more Sunday meetings, the skull of old Major has been buried, and the farm flag will be changed to a simple field of green. His greatest change in policy, however, is his announcement that Animal Farm will again be called Manor Farm. Soon after Napoleon's speech, the men and pigs begin playing cards, but a loud quarrel erupts when both Napoleon and Pilkington each try to play the ace of spades. As Clover and the other animals watch the arguments through the dining-room window, they are unable to discriminate between the humans and the pigs.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Characterization Project:

I have chosen to give a detailed description of the character Snowball. Snowball is the animal most clearly attuned to old Major's

thinking, and he devotes himself to the bettering of the animals on Animal in intellectual, moral, and physical ways. He is not given a

detailed description for his physical appearance other than him looking like any other pig with a big snout, luminous eyelashes and a

cute curly tail. Also he is seen by all of the other animals as a role model and one to follow as he selflessly offers help all the time to

better the farm. He brings literacy to the farm so that the animals can better grasp the principles of Animalism by reading the Seven

Commandments he paints on the barn wall. I would very much enjoy being given the chance to be Snowball because of how honorable,

trustworthy and faithful he is. He reduced the Commandments to a single precept "Four legs good, two legs bad" so that even the least

intelligent animals can understand the farm's new philosophy. The "thinker" of the rebellion, Snowball shows a great understanding of

strategy during the Battle of the Cowshed, and while his various committees may fail, the fact that he attempts to form them reveals the

degree to which he wants to better the animals' lives. His plan for the windmill is similarly noble, since its construction would give the

animals more leisure time. His expulsion at the hands of Napoleon, however, suggests that force, not good intentions shall govern the

farm. Without a doubt Snowball would be the a very good friend just because of his reliable character traits that would make a long

lasting, honest friendship.


 * Animal Farm by George Orwell **