Animal Farm Chapter 3
1. Which animals work the hardest and which exploit the system. Support your answer with examples.
2. Why is the harvest so successful? In what ways do the various animals contribute?
3. Contrast the horses and the pigs. Describe how they are different using examples from the text.
4. Describe Benjamin's attitude toward the rebellion.
5. Compare and contrast Snowball and Napoleon.
6. Why do the pigs say they deserve more than the other animals?
1. The hardest working animals on the farm are Boxer, the horse, and Clover, the mare. They are both strong and dedicated workers who believe in the principles of Animalism. They work tirelessly on the farm, even taking on extra tasks willingly. For example, Boxer is known for his motto "I will work harder!" and is often seen laboring in the fields or pulling heavy loads. Clover, on the other hand, is often described as being conscientious and diligent.
The animals that exploit the system are the pigs, especially Napoleon and Squealer. While the other animals work hard, the pigs take advantage of their leadership positions to manipulate and control the farm. They prioritize their own comfort and privileges over the well-being of the other animals. For example, the pigs start to consume the milk and apples under the pretext of needing to maintain their health, effectively stealing the extra food for themselves.
2. The harvest is successful due to the collective efforts of all the animals on the farm. The horses, like Boxer and Clover, provide the physical strength needed for plowing and heavy labor. The fowls, such as the hens, contribute by laying eggs and providing food. The sheep assist in tasks like carrying the soil and stone, while cows produce milk. Even the pigs, before they start exploiting the system, help in supervising and organizing the work.
3. The horses, represented by Boxer, and the pigs, represented by Napoleon, are contrasting characters in Animal Farm. Boxer is hardworking, loyal, and selfless. He is dedicated to the cause of Animalism and exemplifies the working class. The pigs, on the other hand, are intelligent and ambitious. They use their intellect to manipulate and control the other animals, gradually turning into the ruling class. While Boxer is physically strong, the pigs are mentally astute, and they use their intelligence to justify their actions.
4. Benjamin, the donkey, is portrayed as a skeptical and cynical character. He is not enthusiastic about the rebellion and has a pessimistic attitude. He has seen multiple farms and regimes come and go and doesn't believe that anything will truly change for the better. Benjamin's attitude can be seen when he utters his famous line, "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey." He is often portrayed as indifferent and uninvolved in the various events taking place on the farm.
5. Snowball and Napoleon are both pigs and initially work together after the rebellion. However, they have contrasting personalities and visions for the future of Animal Farm. Snowball is portrayed as an eloquent and persuasive speaker, focused on improving the farm and educating the animals. He is enthusiastic about the rebellion and believes in fostering relationships with other farms. On the other hand, Napoleon is more of a manipulative and power-hungry character who is primarily concerned with personal gain and consolidating power. While Snowball is open to the ideas of all animals, Napoleon becomes increasingly authoritarian and uses force to get his way.
6. The pigs argue that they deserve more than the other animals because they are the "brain workers" and they plan and manage the farm. They claim that their intelligence is vital for the success of Animal Farm and maintaining control over the other animals. They argue that they need to be well-fed and well-rested to carry out their leadership roles effectively, justifying their privileged position. Eventually, this leads to the pigs appropriating more resources and privileges for themselves, further highlighting their exploitation of the system.