Animal Farm
Animal Farm: A WebQuest
Now that you’re at the end of Chapter Seven of your novel, we’re going to explore some of the references made by your author, George Orwell. The following webquest has been designed so that you – the reader – will discover some context for your novel.
Some questions ask for information only while others ask you to apply your reading. Since you have been asked to accomplish this quest using presentation format, it should make use of representative photos and other cool stuff. Good luck.
NOTE: Choose FIVE of the questions for your webquest. You do not need to complete all the questions.
Before You Begin
- Open a document in Microsoft PowerPoint (highly-recommended) or Corel Presentations and save it as ‘webquest’. Your responses will be completed in the form of a presentation, each question on a new slide. Please create a cover slide for this web quest.
Question One: The Russian Revolution
- Not only is Animal Farm a book about animals overthrowing a tyrannical farmer, it is also an allegory which outlines the Russian Revolution (1917). Do some reading, find an overview of the Russian Revolution and then compare the major personalities of the Revolution to their corresponding characters in your novel. Choose four characters and compare/contrast them to their real-life counterparts.
Question Two: Playing Psychologist: Orwell’s World View
- Eric Blair obviously was influenced by his world (two world wars and the Great Depression) quite profoundly. Not only did he use the pen name George Orwell, but he wrote two very famous dystopian novels. Do some research into his biography and see if you can find events that may have inspired him to write his dystopian novel, Animal Farm. Share them with us.
Question Three: Re-Creating Animal Farm
- Using Paintbrush or Paintshop, create a design and map for Animal Farm. Even though there is no formal layout or detailed physical description in the book, try to create Animal Farm as how you see it. Be creative and as detailed as you possibly can. The only true resources for this assignment are your novel and your imagination.
Question Four: Thinking Like the Pigs
- You are very interested in military tactics, as you feel that they can help you with controlling others (humans or animals) at Animal Farm. Devise a plan for dealing with Mr. Jones and other humans (or any beasts that have turned against you), in case they try to reclaim the farm again. The ideas of Julius Caesar have been especially useful to you in the past; you may want to start there. You also might be curious about the person Napoleon is named after.
Question Five: Thinking Like Benjamin
- You may be a donkey, but you’ve lived a long time–long enough to be skeptical about what is happening at Animal Farm. You also believe that there is nothing worth reading these days. You remember reading about the Russian Revolution of 1917 some years back, however, and that was somewhat interesting. Try to gather the information again so you can let the other animals know about it. At least it might be worth telling to your old friend, Boxer.
Question Six: Thinking Like Mr Jones
- You feel scared, as simple farm animals have taken over Manor Farm, which used to belong to you and you alone. How could they have done this? As you’re at your favorite pub, the Red Lion, you overhear other farmers talking about you and your animals. They’re saying something about how they seem to be acting very much like people…. Take notes on how your animals could be like actual humans in history so that you can tell your wife about what was said.
Question Seven: Thinking Like Muriel & Clover
- Although the two of you are a little older, it may also make you a little wiser. Since Muriel is skilled at reading, perhaps she can check on what the Seven Commandments are again. Because a lot of the other animals may have trouble understanding what each commandment means, perhaps Clover can explain them better, as she has a good relationship with many of the animals. You might also want to look at other sets of rules, perhaps ones set up by other governments. How can those rules be changed? Should the Seven Commandments allow for change? Be sure to let the other animals know if you notice anything suspicious.
Question Eight: Thinking Like Mollie & Moses
- Sugarcandy Mountain is important to both of you: Moses appreciates it because it is the perfect place where all animals go after they die; and Mollie, because, well, it has the word “sugar” in it. If Sugarcandy Mountain is a perfect place, research something else that is a perfect place. Who came up with the idea? Do people believe a perfect society can exist? Be sure to support your answer with facts so that the other animals won’t ignore you when you try to persuade them to believe that your opinions are correct.
The following websites may be of some assistance as you complete this WebQuest:
