Animal Farm help me with homework: Chapter one

1. What is Major’s prediction about Boxer?

In his speech to the farm`s animals Old Major states that when Boxer, the horse, will be not able to work as hard as before when he will grow old, the farm`s owner will sell him to the knacker. The pig then continues that he will be killed and transformed into food for the foxhounds. He also adds that this is the fate on nearly all the animals of the farm (cows, pigs, hens, sheep) because of men.

2. What decision is made concerning the status of wild creatures such as rats and rabbits?

Old Major brings up the subject of the status of wild animals in his speech, whether they are allies or enemies in their campaign against the farm`s owner. So, he makes a proposal for the farm animals to vote regarding this matter. The majority decides that wild animals are their comrades and friends. Later on, it is said that everybody that goes on two legs is a foe and cannot be accepted in their community unless it has four legs or wings.

3. What is the name of the song Old Major teaches the animals?

The name of the song Old Major sings is named “Beasts of England”. It is said that the tune was something between ‘Clementine’ and ‘La Cucaracha’. The pig says that when was little his mother and the other pigs used to sing it, but in the course of time, he had forgotten it as well as the other animals. However, the previous night in his dream Old Major recalled the tune and the lyrics, which was another reason why he decided to gather all the inhabitants of the farm in the barn and hold a speech.

4. Why does Orwell end the chapter with Jones shooting towards the barn?

When Old Major begins to sing “Beasts of England” all the animals become excited and begin singing along with him, which causes a lot of noise. The animals together sing the song for five times and so Mr. Jones, which has been sleeping, wakes up, takes the gun and shoots towards the barn to make the animals quiet: he thought that a fox had entered the farm. The animals get scared and go to their places to sleep.