Independent+Novel+Study


 * Ryan Yeske Animal Farm Pages 1-23 December 9, 2010**

__**Why did you select this novel? **__ I chose to read Animal Farm because I am a fan of George Orwell's work. One of his best novels, A Clergyman's Daughter is one of my favorite books. I have heard many great things about Animal Farm, but I never got to reading it due to a lack of motovation. When I heard this book was on the Shelfari selection, I figured it would be a perfect opperatunity to get into it.

__**What's going on as the story begins? **__ At the beginning of the story we meet Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the owners of Manor Farm. We 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 with him.

__**What information did you need to know before reading the novel? **__ Before reading the novel I needed to know that I would enjoy the novel. To be perfectly honest, I haven't read a book that was not a school report in years. Sitting down and reading a book is not something that particularly appeals to me. I would rather be out in the world imbracing reality. When I'm going to read a book, I have to ensure that it is a book that I can keep interest in and will enjoy.

__**Summary **__ After Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm, falls asleep in a drunken stupor, all of his animals meet in the big barn at the request of old Major, a 12-year-old pig. Major delivers a rousing political speech about the evils inflicted upon them by their human keepers and their need to rebel against the tyranny of Man. After elaborating on the various ways that Man has exploited and harmed the animals, Major mentions a strange dream of his in which he saw a vision of the earth without humans. He then teaches the animals a song — "Beasts of England" — which they sing repeatedly until they awaken Jones, who fires his gun from his bedroom window, thinking there is a fox in the yard. Frightened by the shot, the animals disperse and go to sleep. After the death of old Major, the animals spend their days secretly planning the rebellion, although they are unsure when it will occur. Because of their intelligence, the pigs are placed in charge of educating the animals about Animalism, the name they give to the philosophy expounded by Major. Among the pigs, Snowball and Napoleon are the most important to the revolution. Despite Mollie's concern with ribbons and Moses' tales of a place called Sugarcandy Mountain, the pigs are successful in conveying the principles of Animalism to the others .The rebellion occurs when Jones again falls into a drunken sleep and neglects to feed the animals, who break into the store-shed in search of a meal. When Jones and his men arrive, they begin whipping the animals but soon find themselves being attacked and chased off the farm. The triumphant animals then destroy all traces of Jones, eat heartily, and revel in their newfound freedom. After a tour of Jones' house, they decide to leave it untouched as a museum. Snowball changes the sign reading "Manor Farm" to "Animal Farm" and paints the Seven Commandments of Animalism on the wall of the barn. Despite the initial difficulties inherent in using farming tools designed for humans, the animals cooperate to finish the harvest and do so in less time than it had taken Jones and his men to do the same. Boxer distinguishes himself as a strong, tireless worker, admired by all the animals. The pigs become the supervisors and directors of the animal workers. 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. Snowball forms a number of Animal Committees, all of which fail. However, he does prove successful at bringing a degree of literacy to the animals, who learn to read according to their varied intelligences. 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.


 * Ryan Yeske Animal Farm Chapter 4 and 5 December 10, 2010**

__** 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. This setting is crucially important for the story, as the plot of the story is based on the animals taking vengeance on the humans by taking over the farm. A more broad setting that the story is in is England, but I feel that with a few tiny changes, the farm could be anywhere in the world (provided the right climate and weather patterns). 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.

__** Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? **__ The language in the story is fairly basic to understand and follow. A grade 4 reading level would easily help you get through the story, with occasional difficult dialog, but nothing that could not 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.

__** Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? **__ I find that the events of Animal Farm are very easy to follow. George Orwell uses very good transitions and explanations of what is happening. He also uses small bits of foreshadowing to help lead on what is going to happen soon in the story, so it is easy to anticipate the events to follow.

__**Summary**__ As summer ends and news of the rebellion spreads 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 Idebates 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.

10/10


 * Ryan Yeske / Animal Farm / Chapter 7 and 8 / January 5, 2011**

__**Why wouldn't you recommend this book to a friend?**__ I would not recommend this book to a friend, because I stongly feel that my friends would enjoy a more serious read. Animal Farm is a good book if your looking for a short book to pass the time (or do a project), but I would not recommend it to be a book to sit down, relax and read.

In Animal Farm, there is no main protagonist. The first problem faced by the animals is Mr. Jones is abbusing the animals and is not treating them with respect. The animals decide to start a rebellion and chase the Jones' out of their farm.
 * __ What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character? __**

Before the novel began, the animals on Manor Farm had been strongly mistreated. Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm has no respect for the animals. They had their offspring taken away, and they knew their life dedicated to labor would just lead them to the slaughterhouse
 * __What has happened before the novel began? __**

__**Summary**__

As the human world watches Animal Farm and waits for news of its failure, the animals struggle against starvation. Napoleon uses Mr. Whymper to spread news of Animal Farm's sufficiency to the human world. 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 (and imagined) 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. The following year brings more work on the windmill and less food for the workers, despite Squealer's lists of figures supposedly proving that food production has increased dramatically under Napoleon's rule. As Napoleon grows more powerful, 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. After the completion of the new windmill in August, Napoleon sells the pile of timber to Frederick, who tries to pay with a check. Napoleon, however, demands cash, which he receives. Whymper then learns that Frederick's banknotes are forgeries, and Napoleon pronounces the death sentence on the traitorous human. The next morning, Frederick and 14 men arrive at Animal Farm and attempt to take it by force. Although the humans are initially successful, after they blow up the windmill, 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." Some days later, the pigs discover a case of whisky in Jones' cellar. 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 (which was to have been used as a retirement-home for old animals) to be ploughed and planted with barley. The chapter ends with Muriel rereading the Seven Commandments and noticing, for the first time, that the Fifth Commandment now reads, "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."


 * Animal Farm / Chapter 9 / January 7, 2011**

__** Is the novel believable? **__ Animal farm is not a believable story. It is about talking animals that run a farm. They opperate machinery, are literate, and establish chain of commands. In reality, most of the events in this novel are extremely ficticious.

__** Why did the novel meet your expectations? **__ The novel 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 it turned out the story was a fun read. It was exciting, with a lot of twists and surprises to keep me interested.

__** How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest? **__ The author held 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.

__**Summary**__

After celebrating their so-called victory against Frederick, the animals begin building a new windmill. Their efforts are again led by Boxer who. 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.


 * Animal Farm / Chapter 10 / January 11, 2011**

__**What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?**__ As the story progresses, the animals start to turn on each other. Some animals have different ideas on what to do with the farm, and that quickly starts problems. Near the end, the pigs take charge of the farm, and begin to run it just as Mr. Jones initally did.

__**What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? **__ An event I found supprising in the story is when the pigs fully take over the farm. They start walking on two legs, which starts some conflict. Shortly after, they begin wearing Mr. Jones' clothes, and carrying whips. __**Who is telling the story? How does this person’s perspective effect the way the story is told? **__ The story is being told by a third person narrator. This perspective allows up to see what's going on all over the farm, with all the animals. This perspective is much better, as first person would only allow us to know what's happening with one character on the farm, and wouldn't allow us to see secret conflicts and plans within groups. Years pass, and Animal Farm undergoes its final changes. Muriel, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher are all dead, and Jones dies in an inebriates' home. There are more animals on the farm, and the farm's boundaries have increased, thanks to the purchase of two of Pilkington's fields. The second windmill has been completed and is used for milling corn. All the animals continue their lives of hard work and little food — except, of course, for the pigs. One evening, Clover sees a shocking sight: Squealer walking on his hind legs. Other pigs follow, walking the same way, and Napoleon also emerges from the farmhouse carrying a whip in his trotter. The sheep begin to bleat a new version of their previous slogan: "Four legs good, two legs better!" 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." Eventually, all the pigs begin carrying whips and wearing Jones' clothes. In the novel's final scene, a deputation of neighboring 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.
 * __Summary__**


 * __Focus Assignment: Plot__**